Conversations with a Sceptic (16): Good and Evil

 Q:

It is the question of evil where you and I fail to have common ground as well. I don't know how you can have such an elaborate worldview, and not account for the clearly evil attributes to be found in humanity. What is evil for you? Or is there no evil in your philosophy?

A:

When religious people talk about evil, it always sounds like some external factor that is out to get them when they least expect it. Maybe it's a convenient way not to take responsibility for their own actions..."The devil made me do it!"

But if the devil is supposed to be just a fallen angel, God's employee so to speak....how would he be even close to be a threat to God...be his enemy? The 2 concepts are nowhere near on the same level.

Those who take the bible literally, personify evil the same way they personify God. Then you'll have great stories of battles between good and evil, light and darkness, and man is somehow right in the middle of it all. It makes for great movies, that's for sure.

In reality, light is so much stronger than darkness. You only need one small candle to illuminate a large dark room. One small act of kindness can melt the frozen hearts of millions. You give evil too much credit and fail to see that it has in fact very little power compared to what is Good and True.

Like I said earlier, good and evil are dualistic concepts. God, as I see him, is beyond good and evil, he is the UNITY of all there is.

For me, 'evil' is the result of flawed thinking and unfocused intentions that consequently lead to imperfect actions. In this sense, evil is caused by men, not by Satan or anything external to us. It is caused by the choices we make everyday.

Whenever I have to make an important decision, I ask myself:

Does my choice promote life? Does it spread light? Or is it made out of fear, hindering the flow of life energy?

It's not easy to be aware of these choices and the ramifications our actions have, but I think these questions can be a good guideline for anyone, religious or not.

I fear no evil other than my own imperfection.