The Problem of Evil

To jar: My opinion? I don't believe in evil.As for my understanding of Christianity, that would be no. Since evil actions/behaviours are physical manifestations of thoughts and attitudes, it follows therefore that thoughts can be evil (e.g. envy and greed => theft).Patiently awaiting your reply.

---

"Respect is like money, it can only be earned. When it is given, it becomes pittance"

Envy and greed as thoughts may well be wrong, perhaps even sinful, but also normal and if not acted upon, certainly not evil.But we may simply be playing semantics as to what evil is. However, since the topic is "Problem of Evil", at least for this thread we have stated that it exists.So, given the assumed existence of Evil, and given that thoughts, while they may well be wrong, perhaps even sinful, are not within my definition of eveil, would you agree that there are only evil actions?

---

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

To jar:If we consider the duality of Christianity, where we have good vs. evil, and God vs. Satan, then it would be very difficult to not associate evil with sin.Consider: God is supposedly pure good. It follows that Satan then (God's opposite) must encompass all that is evil. Now Satan is also the symbol of sin (the disobediance of God - as demonstrated by his rebellion and subsequent fall), therefore I conclude that sin and evil are equivalent in a Christian sense.I'm not actually playing semantics here - I simply don't see any difference between sin and evil. Thus my conclusion that sinful thoughts generates evil acts, and vice versa.What are the Christian distinctions between evil and sin from a Christian perspective - perhaps you can enlighten me?Patiently awaiting your reply.

---

"Respect is like money, it can only be earned. When it is given, it becomes pittance"

Dude, I did apologize, in the original post, but just to be a man about it I will apologize again. I am sorry and I meant no harm.But I am still not convinced that Tel Rinsiel is who she/he claims to be. There is something fishy going on.

---

Jason B

LOL. It could be. You never know where he will pop up. I better keep my guard up.

---

Jason B

Thanks Sleeping Dragon.

quote:

---

To Tel Rinsiel:
Welcome to this forum! Hope you enjoy your stay.

​

The questions you have posed do not reflect one who is as ignorant as you claimed yourself to be. But of course, humility and modesty are never crimes.

​

You have stated the contradiction of omniscience vs. evil (why did God create Lucifer if He knew that he would rebel?).

​

You have stated the contradiction of omnibenevolence vs. ignorance (how can God punish those who do not have the chance/knowledge to know or believe in Him?)

​

You have also stated the contradiction of omnibenevolence vs. evil (how can a God who is pure good create evil, assuming that the said God is responsible for the existence of all things?).

---

Yes, please... I really would like to hear those questions answered by -and I quote- "fundamentalists". Those were exactly the questions that have been making me dizzy since I've read that article about a long time issue "The Problem of Evil". Thanks to Sleeping Dragon for simplifying and properly arranging the questions from the complicated paragraphs.This message has been edited by Tel Rinsiel, 08-11-2004 12:36 PM

To set some of this straight, Tel's IP has not been used on this site before and it originates in the Philippines.

---

AdminAsgara
Queen of the Universe

http://asgarasworld.bravepages.com
http://perditionsgate.bravepages.com

What? I think you are over complicating a very simple analogy. Let’s see what Webster has to say:Dark: devoid or partially devoid of light
Cold : bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heatAnd just for fun:Evil: the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoingI think with those definitions Edward’s analogy holds up quite well.

---

Jason B

I thought that was your implication (premise)? Enlighten me as to what your specific premise was.I thought your premise was that evil actions = precursory thoughts.Or is your premise that bad thoughts generate evil acts? Like envy/greed = theft.Either way, these premises are not conditional SD. Bad thoughts don't necessarily lead to evil acts, and evil actions might not have precursory thoughts. For example, If I got angry (emotion) - and simply murdered my friend without thinking about it. I don't see why. I have sinful thoughts that don't generate evil acts, and I do evil acts without thinking sometimes.

quote:

---

But I am still not convinced that Tel Rinsiel is who she/he claims to be. There is something fishy going on.

---

Oh, Im a she, 23 years old. Don't worry, I'm not fond of lying. I'm just tired of feeling choked here in our country for believing in different things outside of Christianity like evolution or parts of Wiccan tradition. Most of the people in my part of my country are Christians. I just feel terrible whenever they call me "evil" or devilishly inclined for having different views in things. They say that though I'm not even sure what "evil" is or if it's something that I should believe in and follow outside of the law of the government. It's so unfair to the rest of the people. I mean, not everyone are Christian and do not follow the bible's concept of wrong and evil.This message has been edited by Tel Rinsiel, 08-11-2004 12:28 PM

actually the analogue you give is word for word out of a creationist fairytale about einstein as a boy (that's not to say elements of it are not true).This message has been edited by Charles Knight, 08-11-2004 12:31 PM

Likewise - not everyone who is christian calls people evil. Hhhmmmmmm. "They". Shall I also be a bit skeptical like Jason? I mean - I personally think that you're just saying "they" call you evil to back up your position, but then, please convince me otherwise.This post INDEED clarifies things. Hmmmm.How do I not know that Asgara is infact you, as she is the one who clarifies your story. This is atleast logically possible.

Wiz - we have evidence of that practice on this very forum - once poster said I was on a demonic crusade and would go straight down stairs for my troubles.

Does that mean that all christians say this?Why ofcourse not. Logic has exited. Jar for example, has never said this to you.So "they" just insults the wizbox.

Good point Mike.Just curious, Have we decided on an agreeable definition of Evil? Certainly there are calamities which could be called natural evils, but I think what is being called evil here is moral evils, which could be called sin. Curious to hear your definition if you don’t mind.

---

Jason B