EVIL ... they bes' evil I tell ya evil

**KafirChobee** · 09-19-2006, 10:44

Of late the term evil has been used over and over and over again to define those that oppose ... the present presidential administration. At the same time others have been attempting to actually define the term and its real meaning. Or, atleast perspective to what is and what is not evil.

Americans tend, actually love it, to see things presented to them in simple easily recognizable terms - in other words "black or white".

Thing is, is evil that simply defined? And, by whose definition is evil to be defined?

PBS ran 2 different series on the subject, albeit not all were meant to address the definition of evil as much as the meaning of religion in its definition.
Bill Moyer ran a three (or was it 5?) part series that addressed the overall perception of Christianity and religion in general. One thing that stuck soundly in my wee mind was a lady when asked about atheists responding that atheism was a religion - after all if one believes against something, they also believe in something. A preist said something to the effect that we (believers) tend to see things in black and white, rather than the "grey" that the bible is written. Ergo, people like a defined, quantative and defined perception (white or black ... no grey please), versus a question answering a question (which in fact is what the bible is really about - question oneself and find your own answer ... not that of another whom maybe the deceiver). Was an interesting series, doubt any right-winger-christian-its-my religion-and-I'mstickking-to-it-because-someone-told-me-so paid any attention to it. Was enlightening for me, almost reistated my belief that organized religion might not be all that bad. Unfortunately, Pat opened up one of his prejudicial dialogs soon after my viewing, and reinforced ALL my old prejudices. (shucks, that close to reaching heaven and old Pat blew me back into hell).

Frontline, ran a two hour event (that my PBS ran at 11PM, so as not offend the Baptist running the station - I suppose - it ran at 8PM in the real worlds, cities outside the south) about the terminology of evil and its context in religion. Now that was enlightening. Seems Satan isn't really evil, but more a grey area .... he was suppose to depict the the sadness of being out of the presence of GOD, and what happens if one disobeys god's will. Still, it is such a debateable thing ... screw it. Still, with all the various theologians defining "evil" as beyond Satan, but within the concept of men to overly simplify its the true meaning for their own justifications to permeate it but call it something else ("the will of God", justice against evil, fighting evil - versus fighting another religion, obeying the word of god, combating the evil-doers, we must destroy all evil, the other guys are evil, the evil empire, the axis of evil, those that don't believe as we are evil, etc).

Then there was the History Channel that has been tossing its mediocre BS about lately (lord, I really do miss Roger Mudd) about religion and the faces of evil dedicted by Christianity, Tao, Islam, etc. Even here there was a ballance, suprisingly, that atleast used some historical input to justify some of the outrageous claims of the preists they used downplay Islam. You know, the Islamo-fascists. Gah!

Question here is (finally, after all this rant), what really is evil. Identifying an action, an oganization, a person, a nation? Well, do it. But, when you do ... realize that we (the USA) are the great Satans. The USA is considered the greatest evil by 70% of the world. But, there we are again. What really is evil? Is it a term used to demean, defile, call the true believers to arms? Or is that what it is? A term meant to clarrify that we be good ... they be bad?

At best, it is way over used by Bush and others.

**Keba** · 09-19-2006, 11:24

Evil is not exactly a term that can be used, really ... ever.

If one looks internally, even the ones that did terrible acts still believe that they were doing good, I doubt there were many who would say that they were (or are) evil.

Since there is no single definition of evil ... we must use our own internal compass to determine whether an action is evil or not. If we do se, we set up a judgment ... we cannot determine whether our concept of evil matches another persons' since evil is a concept that cannot really be put into words.

I personally refrain from using the term, and generally try to convince others not to use it. In my experience Americans tend to view things in black-and-white, and from the discussions I had with a few (here I can only speak of the faculty-educated groups, I have little contact with other).

**yesdachi** · 09-19-2006, 13:45

Evil, just like good or hot, cold, windy, etc., is a relative term and one person’s evil could be another’s good. My “evil” may not be your evil but that doesn’t make it any less evil to me.

We commonly use words that are easy for the audience to understand and evil is easy to understand even thou it may not be the perfect literal descriptor.

**Ice** · 09-19-2006, 18:32

Originally Posted by yesdachi

Evil, just like good or hot, cold, windy, etc., is a relative term and one person’s evil could be another’s good. My “evil” may not be your evil but that doesn’t make it any less evil to me.

We commonly use words that are easy for the audience to understand and evil is easy to understand even thou it may not be the perfect literal descriptor.

I agree.

The USA is considered the greatest evil by 70% of the world.

Could you back that up with a link? Thanks.