Today in the United States of America we experience chaos
and confusion and violence directed at us by our own government. Every day we
experience historical and perhaps Biblical levels of EVIL. Somehow we are
confused and/or afraid to call it for what it is. It is EVIL.
And, it is real; both LOVE and EVIL are real things in the
world.
EVIL is like pornography in that it is hard to define, but
we recognize it easily when we see it. We see and experience it every day. And,
yet we hesitate to call it what it is. That hesitation is a mistake.
When we recognize EVIL, but we do not call it out and resist
it, then we enable EVIL to spread.
Our duty is then clear – call out and resist EVIL whenever
and wherever we see it.
About HATE: is HATE EVIL? I do not think that HATE is
anything but a feeling which is not EVIL inherently but only becomes EVIL when
a person who holds the HATE acts upon it to harm the person or persons who are
the objects of the feeling.
Mankind has faced and resisted EVIL since the beginning of
time. Today EVIL is still hard to define although it is easy to recognize.
One of the better definitions of EVIL is from a US Army
Psychologist assigned to study what we could learn from the former Nazis at the
Nuremberg trials after World War II. Here is what he said: 'In my work with the
defendants [at the Nuremberg Trials 1945-1949] I was searching for the nature
of evil, and now I think I have come close to defining it. A lack of empathy.
It's the one characteristic that connects all the defendants, a genuine
incapacity to feel with their fellow man. Evil, I think is the absence of
empathy.' Captain G. M. Gilbert, the
army psychologist assigned to watching the defendants at the Nuremberg Trials.
As a guide to further study, below are short discussions of
some of the major religions characterizations of EVIL.
THE BIBLE:
Here’s what the Bible says about EVIL from Gemini, ‘Since
the Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek,
"exact" wording can vary by translation. For these quotes, I have
used the New International Version (NIV), as it balances modern scholarship
with readability.’
1. The Fall of Humanity
Genesis 3:4–5 - "“You will not certainly die,” the
serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes
will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”"
2. The Nature of the Adversary
Job 1:7 - "The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come
from?” Satan answered the Lord, ”From roaming throughout the earth, going back
and forth on it.”"
3. The Corruption of the Human Heart
Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all
things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
4. The Prosperity of the Wicked
Psalm 73:12 - "This is what the wicked are like—always
free of care, they go on amassing wealth."
5. The Strategy Against Evil
Romans 12:21 - "Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good."
6. The Spiritual Dimension
Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh
and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers
of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms."
7. The Progression of Temptation
James 1:14–15 - "But each person is tempted when they
are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth
to death."
8. The Groaning of Creation
Romans 8:22 - "We know that the whole creation has been
groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."
9. Victory Amidst Trouble
John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world."
10. The Ultimate End of Evil
Revelation 21:4 - "‘He will wipe every tear from their
eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old
order of things has passed away."
The Quran
Here’s what the Quran says per Gemini: ‘In the Quran, the
nature of evil is not viewed as an independent power or a "dark side"
of the divine. Instead, it is framed as a functional part of the world's
design—a tool for testing, a consequence of free will, or a lack of good. Here
is a breakdown of how the Quran defines and explains evil:
1. Evil as a Test (Fitnah) - The Quran suggests that life is
a deliberate "testing ground" where both good and bad are used to refine
the human soul.
The Verse: "Every soul will taste death. And We test
you with evil and with good as a trial; and to Us you will be returned."
(Quran 21:35)
The Concept: Evil (pain, loss, or temptation) serves as a
means for humans to demonstrate patience (Sabr) and reliance on God.
2. The Choice of the Soul (Nafs)
Evil is often portrayed as something
"self-inflicted" or chosen by the human ego (Nafs). The Verse:
"Whatever of good reaches you is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls
you is from yourself." (Quran 4:79)
The Concept: While God creates all possibilities, the choice
to commit an evil act belongs to the individual. In this sense, evil is the
result of misusing the gift of free will.
3. The Role of the Accuser (Shaitan) - Unlike the
"fallen angel" narrative in some traditions, the Quran identifies Iblis
(Satan) as a Jinn who was created with free will and chose to disobey God out
of pride.
The Verse: "He [Satan] said, 'Because You have put me
in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path.'"
(Quran 7:16) - The Concept: Satan has no power to force humans to do evil; he
can only suggest, whisper, and tempt. The Quran emphasizes that he has "no
authority" over those who remain mindful of God.
4. Responding to Evil with Good - One of the most distinct
Quranic ethics is the instruction to break the cycle of evil rather than
retaliating.
The Verse: "And not equal are the good deed and the
bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom
between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend."
(Quran 41:34) - The Concept: Evil is seen as something that can be neutralized
by proactive virtue.
5. The "Privation" of Good
Many Islamic theologians, drawing from the Quran, describe
evil not as a "thing" that God creates, but as a "lack" of
something—much like darkness is simply the absence of light.
The Concept: For example, a lie is the "absence"
of truth; cruelty is the "absence" of mercy. In this view, God is the
source of all "being" (which is good), and evil arises where humans
distance themselves from that source.
Buddhism
Per Gemini: ‘In Buddhism, the concept of "evil" is
viewed differently than in Western monotheistic religions. Instead of a cosmic
battle between a Creator and a Devil, the Buddha focused on Akusala
(unwholesome actions) and Avijja (ignorance). To the Buddha, evil isn't an
external entity—it is a psychological state that leads to suffering.’
1. The Three Roots of Evil (The Three Poisons) - The Buddha
taught that all harmful actions spring from three specific "poisons"
in the human mind. If you remove these, "evil" ceases to exist.
Greed (Lobha): Attachment, craving, and the desire to
possess.
Hatred (Dosa): Anger, ill-will, and the desire to destroy.
Delusion (Moha): Ignorance or a clouded mind that cannot see
the true nature of reality.
2. Evil as "Unskillfulness" (Akusala)
The Buddha often used the word Kusala (skillful) or Akusala
(unskillful) instead of "good" and "evil."
The Concept: An "evil" act is simply an
"unskillful" one. It is a mistake made by someone who doesn't
understand that their actions will cause future pain for themselves and others.
The Quote: "An evil deed is better left undone, for a misdeed torments one
later." (Dhammapada, 312)
3. The Internal Origin
The Buddha was firm that no one can "make" another
person evil, nor can they "purify" another.
The Verse: "By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one
defiled. By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one purified."
(Dhammapada, 165) - The Meaning: Responsibility is 100% internal. You are not a
"sinner" by nature; you are a person who chooses actions that either
lead to peace or lead to turmoil.
4. Mara: The Personification of Temptation
While Buddhism doesn't have a "Satan," it does
have Mara.
The Role: Mara is a celestial being who represents the
distractions of the senses and the fear of death. - The Nature: Mara isn't
trying to "win" a soul for hell; he is trying to keep the mind
trapped in Samsara (the cycle of birth and death) by tempting it with temporary
pleasures.
5. The Law of Karma
In the Buddha’s teaching, "evil" isn't punished by
a judge. It is "punished" by the natural law of cause and effect. -
The Analogy: If you walk in the mud, your feet get dirty. If you think or act
with a "dirty" (hateful) mind, suffering follows you just as the
wheel of a cart follows the hoof of the ox.
Red Book of Mao
Per Gemini: ‘In the Little Red Book (officially Quotations
from Chairman Mao Tse-tung), the concept of "evil" is not framed in
religious, moral, or metaphysical terms. Mao does not speak of "sin"
or "demons." Instead, "evil" is defined strictly through
the lens of Class Struggle and Political Obstruction. To Mao, anything that
hinders the progress of the Proletarian Revolution or harms the interests of
"the masses" is what a Westerner might categorize as
"evil."’
1. Evil as "The Enemy" - Mao simplifies the world
into two camps: the people and the enemies of the people. Evil is personified
by specific political classes.
The Concept: Evil is identified as Imperialism, Feudalism,
and Bureaucratic-Capitalism. These are the "Three Great Mountains"
that oppressed the Chinese people. - The Quote: "Who are our enemies? Who
are our friends? This is a question of the first importance for the revolution."
(Chapter 1)
2. Evil as "Reactionary" Forces - Mao
characterizes "evil" as a stubborn, regressive force that refuses to
give way to the new socialist order. He famously argues that these forces will
not disappear on their own; they must be actively swept away.
The Quote: "Everything reactionary is the same; if you
don't hit it, it won't fall. This is also like sweeping the floor; as a rule,
where the broom does not reach, the dust will not vanish of itself."
(Chapter 2)
3. Evil as Internal "Liberalism" - Mao also
identifies "evil" within the revolutionary movement itself. He calls
this Liberalism, which he views as a "corrosive" that eats away at
unity and discipline.
The Concept: Acts like "failing to report someone's
wrongdoing because they are a friend" or "working
half-heartedly" are viewed as moral failings against the state. - The
Quote: "Liberalism is extremely harmful in a revolutionary collective. It
is a corrosive which eats away unity, undermines cohesion, causes apathy and
creates dissension." (Chapter 24)
4. The "Paper Tiger" Nature of Evil- A core theme
in Mao’s thought is that while evil forces (like Imperialism) appear terrifying
and powerful, they are fundamentally weak because they lack the support of the
masses.
The Quote: "All reactionaries are paper tigers. In
appearance, the reactionaries are terrifying, but in reality they are not so
powerful. From a long-term point of view, it is not the reactionaries but the
people who are really powerful." (Chapter 6)
5. The Removal of Evil through "Purification"
Mao believed that "evil" thoughts (Bourgeois
tendencies) could be cured through "rectification" and
"criticism/self-criticism." He used a medical metaphor for dealing
with ideological "evil":
The Quote: "Our aim in exposing errors and criticizing
shortcomings is like that of a doctor curing a sickness; the whole purpose is
to save the patient, not to doctor him to death." (Chapter 27)
Hinduism
Per Gemini: ‘In Hinduism, the concept of "evil" is
not viewed as a singular, cosmic rebellion against God. Instead, it is
understood through the lenses of Dharma (cosmic order), Karma (cause and
effect), and Maya (illusion). Because Hinduism is a vast family of traditions,
its explanation for evil ranges from the psychological to the mythological.’
1. Adharma: The Violation of Order - The closest Sanskrit
equivalent to "evil" is Adharma. While Dharma is that which sustains
the universe (righteousness, duty, and natural law), Adharma is that which
unbalances or destroys it.
The Concept: Evil is not an independent "thing,"
but rather a state of being out of alignment with the divine order. The Verse:
"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness (Dharma) and an increase in
unrighteousness (Adharma), O Arjuna, then I manifest myself." (Bhagavad
Gita 4:7)
2. The Three Gunas (Qualities of Nature) - Hindu philosophy
explains human behavior through three fundamental "strands" or
qualities called Gunas. "Evil" behavior is usually the result of an
imbalance of these qualities.
Sattva: Light, purity, and wisdom.
Rajas: Passion, activity, and ego.
Tamas: Darkness, ignorance, and inertia.
The Application: Destructive or "evil" acts are
seen as the result of a mind dominated by Tamas (delusion and laziness) or
distorted Rajas (greedy ambition).
3. Evil as "Avidya" (Ignorance) - Like Buddhism,
many Hindu schools (especially Advaita Vedanta) argue that "evil"
stems from a lack of knowledge.
The Concept: We commit harmful acts because we suffer from
Maya (illusion). We incorrectly believe we are separate from others and the
Divine. This "ego-sense" leads to desire, fear, and eventually, violence.
- The Solution: Evil is "cured" by Jnana (spiritual
wisdom/realization of the Self).
4. Karma: The Self-Correcting System
In Hinduism, there is no eternal "Hell" overseen
by a Devil. Instead, the universe is governed by Karma. - The Mechanism: Every
action (Karma) produces a fruit (Phala). An evil act is essentially a "bad
investment"—it creates suffering for the doer in this life or the next. -
The View: Evil is seen as a temporary deviation. Eventually, through the cycle
of Samsara (rebirth), every soul is expected to learn, exhaust its bad karma,
and return to its source.
5. Asuras: The "Demons" of Myth - Hindu mythology
features Asuras, often translated as "demons." However, unlike
Western demons, Asuras are not inherently "fallen" or irredeemable.
The Nature: Many Asuras are depicted as powerful, highly
intelligent, and even devout. Their "evil" is usually their unbridled
ego and their attempt to seize power from the Devas (gods). - The Lesson: The
battle between Devas and Asuras is often interpreted as an allegory for the
battle within the human heart between our higher and lower impulses.