What the word "evil" means to me, and why I believe evil (as I use the term) does not exist.

[JUSTIN CHRISTENSEN]

It seems that your definition of "evil" is primarily based on the idea of "should-not-ness" and a lack of acceptance for what is unchangeable. I feel like the more classic usage of the term "evil" refers to actions or behaviors that are morally reprehensible, rather than situations or circumstances that cannot be changed. In either case, I think that at best the concept of "evil" is certainly a silly one.

Even in the classic viewpoint, the idea that any entity could be "evil" is hard for me to swallow. I have never met anyone who relentlessly pursues the goal of "be bad all the time for the sake of badness". Sure there's plenty of people who are more interested in looking out for #1 than contributing to the good of the world, but is it "evil" to want good things for yourself and your loved ones? I certainly don't think so.

My belief is that the word "evil" is primarily a weapon, used to attack and vilify. Long story short, I agree with you, but for different reasons.

[SINGH JAY]

What I understand by evil is what is predominant in our today's world. Imagine how the rich keeps getting richer to the detriment of the poor folks. And imagine how the poor keeps getting poorer to the satisfaction of the the rich folks. I believe the world has lost it's compassion. Everyone wants what's best for himself, not minding whatever happens to his neighbor.

pleasant overreach

[Sonia Gonzalez]

I agree that evil, as you define it, does not exist. I also agree that evil has become a religious concept used to describe everything we should not be doing, thinking, or believing. Regarding the rabid dog, I would not describe evil in any definition. A rabid dog is sick, and it can be dangerous, but it is not evil and is not something that should not exist (diseases are part of nature and, to a certain point, necessary). We must be cautious because it can make us sick and even kill us, but it is never evil.