hi everyone! I was wondering what your thoughts were on the existence of evil. My atheist friends say that evil does not exist, but they are still repulsed by things that are...well, evil? I was wondering if anyone could clarify this paradox for me. This is my first post, and I apologize if it sounds elementary.

Hi, TWQ! Welcome to the forums.

Personally, I think that evil does, indeed, exist. Not in the religious sense of the word, though. That is where you're running into trouble, I would imagine. Evil is all man... no supernatural entities needed.

Before answering your poll I need to know how you define "evil". What is it ?

I realize that was a very vague answer, TWQ. Let me clarify.

Evil... as a concept... exists. Evil... as an external, supernatural force... does not.

What the Nazis did was evil. The Salem Witch Trials were evil. {insert middle eastern dictator here} committing mass murder in the millions is evil. A Catholic Priest diddling little boys... is definitely evil.

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I didn't answer the poll, either... because the answer is: Yes, but not the way you mean.

People can be evil.


People with bibles can be really evil.

I thought you said 'babies' there Min and was agreeing

Of course evil exists. It's hardly a paradox. Evil is something that is morally and ethically "not right". It's not a supernatural essence that can infiltrate the human body and cause mischief. That's just silly.

(May 26, 2010 at 7:12 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: I thought you said 'babies' there Min and was agreeing

Only on airplanes, man. Only on airplanes!

(May 26, 2010 at 6:24 pm)theistwithquestions Wrote: hi everyone! I was wondering what your thoughts were on the existence of evil. My atheist friends say that evil does not exist, but they are still repulsed by things that are...well, evil? I was wondering if anyone could clarify this paradox for me. This is my first post, and I apologize if it sounds elementary.

In what sense are you asking if evil exists? :S

(May 26, 2010 at 6:24 pm)theistwithquestions Wrote: hi everyone! I was wondering what your thoughts were on the existence of evil. My atheist friends say that evil does not exist, but they are still repulsed by things that are...well, evil? I was wondering if anyone could clarify this paradox for me. This is my first post, and I apologize if it sounds elementary.

Welcome.

It's considered basic good manners to introduce yourself before posting.

Does evil exist as an absolute? NO,neither does good. Human beings are merely another species of animal. Our morality is a based on pragmatism,not any transcendent reality of which I'm aware.

Plus; in my opinion notions of evil and suffering are incompatible with the ascribed qualities of the Abrahamic God.