What makes someone evil ?

ProblemOfEvil said:
What would be the list of things that would determine if someone is evil ?
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Evil is fundamentally actions we take against Gods Messengers, their Revelation and the guidance and laws of the Book that is left to prosperity.

There is serious acts right down to minor acts that are "Evil".

The worst being breaking of God's Covernant. Which is recognition of the Messenger and then turning against them.

Regards Tony
 
Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
Evil is fundamentally actions we take against Gods Messengers, their Revelation and the guidance and laws of the Book that is left to prosperity.

There is serious acts right down to minor acts that are "Evil".

The worst being breaking of God's Covernant. Which is recognition of the Messenger and then turning against them.

Regards Tony
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The worst evil on earth is folks not belonging to your religion?
 
ProblemOfEvil said:
What would be the list of things that would determine if someone is evil ?
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I am reminded of the saying that evil fourishes where good people do nothing.
I am wondering if there is any significance that 'evil' is 'live' backwards.

Google gave me this:

The significance of 'evil' being 'live' spelled backwards is a playful linguistic twist that reflects the idea that the two concepts can be seen as opposites. This anagramic play can prompt philosophical pondering about morality and the duality often present in human nature. It serves as a reminder that nothing is as it seems, and that every truth has an opposing lie. The concept of 'evil' being 'live' spelled backwards can be seen as a metaphor for life turned against itself, where aliveness is reversed, and energy that was meant to flow toward connection curls back toward harm. This connection is rooted in fear and self-hatred, often projected outward onto others​


Of course this is only in the English language. I don't know about other languages.
 
Bloodshot said:
That's a dangerous and reductive way to frame it.

There are no evil people, only evil actions. Even then "evil" has many interpretations.

Very few things in this world are black and white.
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I tend to agree with this.

The best I can determine, evil is simply something not in it's proper place.

A nail in the wall is just fine. A nail in my foot is evil. The nail itself is neutral, it was it's placement that made the difference.

Other's definitions vary, of course, and that's as it should be.
Craz said:
I am reminded of the saying that evil fourishes where good people do nothing.
I am wondering if there is any significance that 'evil' is 'live' backwards.

Google gave me this:

The significance of 'evil' being 'live' spelled backwards is a playful linguistic twist that reflects the idea that the two concepts can be seen as opposites. This anagramic play can prompt philosophical pondering about morality and the duality often present in human nature. It serves as a reminder that nothing is as it seems, and that every truth has an opposing lie. The concept of 'evil' being 'live' spelled backwards can be seen as a metaphor for life turned against itself, where aliveness is reversed, and energy that was meant to flow toward connection curls back toward harm. This connection is rooted in fear and self-hatred, often projected outward onto others​


Of course this is only in the English language. I don't know about other languages.
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Interesting catch!
 
Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
Evil is fundamentally actions we take against Gods Messengers, their Revelation and the guidance and laws of the Book that is left to prosperity.

There is serious acts right down to minor acts that are "Evil".

The worst being breaking of God's Covernant. Which is recognition of the Messenger and then turning against them.

Regards Tony
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What would count as going against God and his Messengers ?
 
Bloodshot said:
That's a dangerous and reductive way to frame it.

There are no evil people, only evil actions. Even then "evil" has many interpretations.

Very few things in this world are black and white.
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Okay then what makes a human action evil ?
 
RJM said:
The worst evil on earth is folks not belonging to your religion?
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That was a strange reply? In Christianity the worst evil would be knowing Jesus Christ was from God and then turning away from His Word.

Baha'u'llah put it this way

"..The source of all evil is for man to turn away from his Lord and set his heart on things ungodly..."

That was extracted from this wonderful tablet.

Aṣl-i-Kullu’l-Khayr (Words of Wisdom)
In the Name of God, the Exalted, the Most High

The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure.

The essence of wisdom is the fear of God, the dread of His scourge and punishment, and the apprehension of His justice and decree.

The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book.

The source of all glory is acceptance of whatsoever the Lord hath bestowed, and contentment with that which God hath ordained.

The essence of love is for man to turn his heart to the Beloved One, and sever himself from all else but Him, and desire naught save that which is the desire of his Lord.

True remembrance is to make mention of the Lord, the All-Praised, and forget aught else beside Him.

True reliance is for the servant to pursue his profession and calling in this world, to hold fast unto the Lord, to seek naught but His grace, inasmuch as in His Hands is the destiny of all His servants.

The essence of detachment is for man to turn his face towards the courts of the Lord, to enter His Presence, behold His Countenance, and stand as witness before Him.

The essence of understanding is to testify to one’s poverty, and submit to the Will of the Lord, the Sovereign, the Gracious, the All-Powerful.

The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love.

The essence of charity is for the servant to recount the blessings of his Lord, and to render thanks unto Him at all times and under all conditions.

The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life.

The essence of true safety is to observe silence, to look at the end of things and to renounce the world.

The beginning of magnanimity is when man expendeth his wealth on himself, on his family and on the poor among his brethren in his Faith.

The essence of wealth is love for Me; whoso loveth Me is the possessor of all things, and he that loveth Me not is indeed of the poor and needy. This is that which the Finger of Glory and Splendor hath revealed.

The source of all evil is for man to turn away from his Lord and set his heart on things ungodly.

The most burning fire is to question the signs of God, to dispute idly that which He hath revealed, to deny Him and carry one’s self proudly before Him.

The source of all learning is the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory, and this cannot be attained save through the knowledge of His Divine Manifestation.

The essence of abasement is to pass out from under the shadow of the Merciful and seek the shelter of the Evil One.

The source of error is to disbelieve in the One true God, rely upon aught else but Him, and flee from His Decree.

True loss is for him whose days have been spent in utter ignorance of his self.

The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye.

Thus have We instructed thee, manifested unto thee Words of Wisdom, that thou mayest be thankful unto the Lord, thy God, and glory therein amidst all peoples.

Regards Tony
 
ProblemOfEvil said:
What would count as going against God and his Messengers ?
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That's a big question! One that would require much discussion. We must also consider that no man can judge another, while we partake in such a discussion.

I would say the beginning of error would not to be Just in our determination of the truth of the cause they have expounded.

The Bible advises us to test the prophets, such as 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

We would need to be aware that this passage does not mean rejection of True Prophets, as the next two verses give us a valid test

"...2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God..."

Regards Tony
 
Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
That's a big question! One that would require much discussion. We must also consider that no man can judge another, while we partake in such a discussion.

I would say the beginning of error would not to be Just in our determination of the truth of the cause they have expounded.

The Bible advises us to test the prophets, such as 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

We would need to be aware that this passage does not mean rejection of True Prophets, as the next two verses give us a valid test

"...2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God..."

Regards Tony
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I don't know if I am supposed to test God and his prophets ?
 
ProblemOfEvil said:
I don't know if I am supposed to test God and his prophets ?
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Yes, I personally would call it an independent investigation for truth, using our rational mind with justice.

We should look at all evidence with sound logic and reason.

I think we are always to question, we should always ask ourselves, can we be better. This is important, because God stands within us all, ready to be found.

Here is a good meditation.

"O SON OF SPIRIT!
I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting." (Hidden Words, Baha'u'llah)

Regards Tony
 
Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
That was a strange reply? In Christianity the worst evil would be knowing Jesus Christ was from God and then turning away from His Word.
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In Christianity?

So what about Christians who reject Bahaullah as the new Christ returned in the station of the Father? Is that the worst evil?

What about Jews and Hindus and Muslims and Buddhists who reject Bahaullah? Are they all the worst evil?
 
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RJM said:
In Christianity?

So what about Christians who reject Bahaullah as the new Christ returned in the station of the Father? Is that the worst evil?

What about Jews and Hindus and Muslims and Buddhists who reject Bahaullah? Are they all the worst evil?
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That is not for me to judge. The statement above needed extra clarification.

In Christianity (Any Messenger) the worst evil would be knowing the Messenger was from God, turning away from His Word and rebellion against Him.

I can only quote what Baha'u'llah offered and each person can consider what has been revealed for their own self. So any person, of any faith, can consider this either applicable, or not applicable.

“The door of the knowledge of the Ancient Being hath ever been, and will continue forever to be, closed in the face of men. No man’s understanding shall ever gain access unto His holy court. As a token of His mercy, however, and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He hath manifested unto men the Daystars of His divine guidance, the Symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self. Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them, hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. Every one of them is the Way of God that connecteth this world with the realms above, and the Standard of His Truth unto every one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. They are the Manifestations of God amidst men, the evidences of His Truth, and the signs of His glory.”

Regards Tony
 
Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
He hath manifested unto men the Daystars of His divine guidance, the Symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self.Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them, hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God.
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Bahaullah is talking about himself here?

Are people 'the worst evil' who deliberately choose to disbelieve that Bahaullah is God's only true messenger to all mankind and his writings the apex guide for all mankind, informing and correcting all previous scriptures for the next 1000 years?
 
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@Tony Bristow-Stagg

If you suggest that evil is to know what is good, and deliberately turn away from it, then you could be on a right track in an ancient debate about what evil is.

But if you insist on turning the discussion into a platform for promoting Baha'i belief in Bahaullah as the new Christ and so on, you are swerving off into the long grass, IMO

Anyway, it's none of my business ...
 
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