It’s a question that has puzzled theologians and philosophers for centuries: why did God create evil? Some might say that evil doesn’t exist at all, that it’s merely a construct of our own minds. Others might argue that evil is necessary for the existence of good. But what do I think of evil?
Actually, it doesn’t really matter what I believe. What’s important is understanding WHY God might have created evil. And to do that, we need to take a closer look at the concept of good and evil itself.
What is Good?
In order to understand evil, we first need to understand what good is. Unfortunately, there is no single, universally accepted definition of good. To some people, good is simply what they like or enjoy. Others might define it as anything that promotes the well-being of sentient beings.
Personally, I like to think of good as anything that brings happiness and/or reduces suffering. This definition isn’t perfect, but it’s a good starting point.
What is Evil?
Similarly, there is no single, universally accepted definition of evil. To some people, evil is anything that goes against their personal preferences. Others might define it as anything that causes harm or suffering.
Again, I like to think of evil as anything that brings suffering and/or reduces happiness. It’s an objective definition that has the advantage of being relatively easy to measure, but it’s not without its problems.
Good Versus Evil – An Ongoing Fight Since Time Immemorial
The battle between good and evil is as old as time itself. It’s a fight that has raged on since the beginning of time and one that shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Be it Adam and Eve tempted to eat from the forbidden fruit, Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert, to the ongoing fight between law enforcement and organized crime, good and evil are always at odds with one another.
There are a number of theories as to why this is the case, but I believe that it all boils down to one simple fact: good and evil are two sides of the same coin. They are two necessary components that make up the world as we know it.
Without evil, there can be no good. It’s as simple as that. Evil is what gives rise to good. Without evil, there would be no need for good.
So why did God create evil? I believe that the answer lies in the fact that without evil, there can be no good. Evil is a necessary component of the world that we live in. It’s what gives rise to good, and without it, the world would be a very different place.
So, Do We Need Evil To Label Something as Good?
Yes, I believe so. Evil is what makes us appreciate the good. It’s what drives us to be better people. So in a way, you could say that evil is a necessary part of the world. It’s something that we need in order to appreciate the good.
I mean, think about it. If there was no evil, would we really appreciate the good? Would we be as driven to do good deeds? I don’t think so.
Evil is what makes us appreciate the good. It’s what drives us to be better people. So in a way, you could say that evil is a necessary part of the world.
Can Evil Plead “Not Guilty”?
This is where it really starts to get interesting. If evil is a necessary part of the world, can it pleads “not guilty”? I believe that it can. At least, it will try to. Evil will always try to justify its actions. It will always try to find a way to weasel its way out of responsibility. We see this happening all the time around us.
Even the most ruthless of murderers or dictators will always try to find a way to justify their actions. They will always try to find a reason why what they did was necessary or “for the better” in some way.
But it’s the good that labels something as evil. So in a way, good is what ultimately decides whether or not evil is guilty.
Does This Mean Good is a Powerful Judge Without Any Accountability?
Some might say that this means good is a powerful judge without any accountability. It may certainly appear so, but I don’t believe that’s the case. While it’s true that good is the one who labels something as evil, I believe that evil is the one who ultimately decides its own fate. Evil is the one who chooses to act in a certain way. It’s the one who chooses to harm or cause suffering.
So while good might be the judge, evil is the one on trial.
It’s the one who ultimately decides its own fate. What do you think? Why do you think God created evil? Do you agree with what I think or have a completely different view? Let me know in the comments below.
