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EVIL: What is it

People, places and things have all been labeled "EVIL", so what is it - what constitutes evil? Adolf Hitler is a favorite reference when one is looking for an example of an evil person. Actually, according to Dr. Clifford Pickover, Hitler ranks as number three in his list of "The Top Ten Evil". (Visit Cliff Pickover's main home page.)

Tomas de Torquemada leads the pack, followed by Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler). Some folks point to others like Jeffrey Dahmer, or Joseph Stalin. Whatever your taste in despots, there is one to fit every occasion.

Las Vegas (Sin City) is one of the top dens of iniquity in the modern world; so say many. A few thousand years ago it was Rome, preceded by Sodom and Gomorrah, and before that Babylon.

As for 'Things' that are considered evil ... what are your thoughts on alcohol and drugs (alcohol IS a drug, by the way), unusual sexual practices like pedophilia, rape, sodomy and incest. How about a religious Biggie? Blasphemy! Wow! That one is - or was - punishable by excommunication from the church - even death.

In religious circles not only Christians are pointing fingers, but all mainstream religions decry the evilness of the above mentioned, as they do thousands of other people, places and things. Let us not exclude 'thought'. That one is a real ball-buster for the "Kings of Piety" to lord over us. It seems that you or I can THINK evilness. Perhaps that is true, but if it is it holds true for every man, woman and child on the planet. Talk about thought police ...

Alright, let me get to the nitty-gritty about evil. There is no evil! Let me repeat that so you do not think I made a typo. There is NO EVIL! I'm deluded you say ...? Perhaps in some belief systems I am. However, there have been people around for millennia that believed this. It is not some 'New Age' thinking, it is actually as old as man himself.

If you ask any religious person of any faith the question, "Is God the maker of all things?" they will inevitably answer yes. Is God good? A resounding, "YES!" Can God do EVIL? "NO!!!" Fact is, God can do, and has done (by our standards) evil.

I shall leave this opener at that. Respond if you wish ... or not!

J

by baggyman

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