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Posted By: Lori - Marriage What is evil? - 01/22/10 07:30 PM
Can you define evil? I read the thread asking if people believed in evil. But how do you define evil?

Posted By: Phyllis Doyle Burns Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 09:08 PM
I think evil is that which impedes spiritual growth. Child abuse, abuse of any person, murder, terrorism, lies that harm others, cruelty to animals, destruction of Mother Earth, upsetting the balance and harmony of all Creation, are some forms of evil.

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.
Plato, Dialogues, Phaedo

No evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
Plato, Dialogues, Apology

All things may corrupt when minds are prone to evil.
Ovid (43 BC - 17 AD)


To me evil is obviously the opposite of good.
Posted By: Cara N. Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 09:35 PM
Originally Posted By: Chi-Japanese Food
Can you define evil? I read the thread asking if people believed in evil. But how do you define evil?


Thank you Chi. My definition of evil is intentionally choosing to live with the lack of consciousness. I like to share the article about evil with you . Evil Defined

In it, I have a more well rounded definition of evil "Evil exists in a realm where souls choose to turn away from conscience, acting out solely to obtain pleasure or to intentionally cause harm..."

Thanks for starting this thread. I think it certainly is a question that will bring up different response in each one of us.

What's your personal belief on this topic?

Posted By: Cara N. Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 09:42 PM
Originally Posted By: Phyllis, Native American
I think evil is that which impedes spiritual growth. Child abuse, abuse of any person, murder, terrorism, lies that harm others, cruelty to animals, destruction of Mother Earth, upsetting the balance and harmony of all Creation, are some forms of evil....

To me evil is obviously the opposite of good.


Well said Phyllis

Evil is the opposite of good. I agree that when we upset the balance and the harmony of all Creation, it is a form of evil. Your statement reminds me of the movie Avatar.

Thanks also for the good quotes.
Posted By: YogaEditor Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 10:02 PM
Evil = despair. Not hoping anymore is the root of so much crime and violence.

Nancy Welker
BellaOnline Yoga Editor
Posted By: Chelle - Marriage Editor Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 10:10 PM
To me evil is te opposite of love, the complete absence of love.

I think Nancy definitely hits on it when she includes despair in there, too. Because even a person who has never been shown love still has the hope of love, the capacity for love. It is when they give up that hope and let all love die within themsleves - never even trying to let it grow and pass on to another person that true evil sets in.
Posted By: Cara N. Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 10:21 PM
Great definitions.

Where there is love, evil cannot exist. Yes, despair or the completely lack of hope is where evil sets in.

Thanks Nancy & Michelle. I really didn't think of evil that way before. I am glad we all can share our perspectives on this. It certainly makes me think...
Posted By: Lori - Marriage Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 11:04 PM
Hmmm. I had to give this serious thought. Too many times, we label things evil without looking at the root cause of outward behavior and thoughts.

I like the thought of "upsetting the balance and harmony of all Creation is a form of evil."

To me, evil is...
1. harmful with the intent of harm
2. destructive with no intent of rebuilding
3. negative in all aspects.

I don't know if the Universe will ever be rid of evil because it is part of existence. There is a yin-yang balance to us all. We are not all evil nor all good. Within us exists all possibility so it is important for us to use our good to neutralize any evil impulses within us, sythesize and integrate into one cohesive, understanding, forgiving, accepting soul.

How? Through love. Love yourself, love others, love all.

yikes. Boy, did I digress!

Posted By: Cara N. Re: What is evil? - 01/22/10 11:25 PM
Those are good definitions!

Yes, how do we change? Through love like you said. The power of love trumps all negativity... at least that's what I believe.

I certainly agree that each one of us has a shadow side as no one is all good or all evil. I think is when we finally accept and honor this fact, we can then focus on our growth as a soul. For a long time, I didn't understand this concept, and it costed me a lot of heart aches as I judged others and myself very harshly.

By the way, I like your digressing! There is nothing off topic here, because it's about life! smile
Posted By: Phyllis Doyle Burns Re: What is evil? - 01/23/10 08:45 PM
Cara, it is special to me that you brought up that my statement of the Harmony and Balance in Creation reminds you of the movie, AVATAR.

I saw the movie last weekend and was amazed at the profound symbolism in the film and that the forces of evil try to destroy that which was good and spiritual to the indigenous peoples. This is a whole other discussion we could get into, but many people have not yet seen AVATAR and I would not want to give away any of the story. Anyone who believes in good and evil, anyone who is on a spiritual path, should see AVATAR. I heartily reccomend it.
Posted By: Cara N. Re: What is evil? - 01/24/10 12:52 AM
Yes, I highly recommend the movie Avatar. Because of the massive advertising on its 3D effects, many people do not realize the depth of this movie. It is so much greater than it appears in the trailer.

I love your signature "Walk in Beauty & Harmony". Whenever I see your post, it gives me a little reminder to live my live in a more balanced way.

Thanks Phyllis.
Posted By: Lori - Marriage Re: What is evil? - 01/28/10 12:57 AM
Yes, thank you Phyllis. smile

I once underestimated the important value of beauty. It is more profound than I ever knew.
Posted By: jamiebond Re: What is evil? - 03/02/10 12:43 PM
EVIL IS WATCHING YOUR LOVED ONE DIE THE OPPOSITE OF E V I L IS TO L I V E Jamie
Posted By: Lori - Marriage Re: What is evil? - 03/02/10 06:39 PM
I don't think that physical death or dying is evil. I had to witness loved ones passing over.

But your comment of the opposite of EVIL is to LIVE is so insightful!

I think that souls came to earth to LIVE and those who chose not to follow the divine plan never can receive a physical body to live on earth and thus are the opposite: EVIL.

Posted By: Phyllis Doyle Burns Re: What is evil? - 03/06/10 05:51 AM
Thank you, Cara and Chi. I find beauty in life by appreciating what is all around me in Nature and also in the goodness of people.

In response to Jamiebond - I sense sadness and resentment in what you said. It is so hard and crushing to watch a loved one die. What may be evil about it is why the loved one died - maybe due to an evil act. I have found that one is never closer to Creator and the divine than when they are with a dying loved one. One can feel so very helpless watching a loved one die and the anger, the questions, the feeling of being abandoned or lost is devastating - losing the loved one is devastating. When we are so overcome with such emotions that is when doubts and evil may attack us. I pray for healing for you if you have lost a loved one.
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