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Actually the main problem with the existence of evil is for certain religions to explain it: How to make the existence of evil compatible with a benevolent God?Of course, there are several different explanations for this apparent contradiction. Anyway, for non-religious people, there is no such problem to solve. Evil (bad things happening) can be explained by random chance; evil people can be explained by the desire of individuals to survive and prosper, and more in general, by psychology.

Only in the case of believing in a religion, does the problem arise: How can God ALLOW such-and-such things to happen?

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7y ago
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3d ago

Some non-religious explanations for the existence of evil in the world include psychological factors such as human nature, societal influences such as inequality or power dynamics, and evolutionary theories that suggest certain behaviors provided an evolutionary advantage in the past. Additionally, philosophical perspectives like moral relativism and the existence of free will can also be used to understand the presence of evil.

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7y ago

Philosophers often divide evil into two categories - natural evil and personal evil.

Natural evil can include events such as floods, earthquakes and famine, all of which a deity could prevent, but does not. The non-religious explanation is that random events do happen. Usually these are random and beyond our control, but some are predictable and preparations could have been made to avoid suffering or loss of life. The potential evil that could have resulted from destruction of the earth's ozone layer was narrowly avoided by concerted government action to phase out the use of certain industrial gases. The potential evil that could result in destruction of the earth's environment as we know it, could still be avoided by concerted government action to minimise global warming.


The non-religious explanation for personal evil is that it often results from personal greed or other character faults in the perpetrator of evil. In other cases, it can even result from mental illness. If indeed we were created by a deity, that Creator failed to create us without the potential for evil.

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Q: What are some of the non-religious explanations for existence of evil in the world?
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How did genesis present the origin of evil in the world?

think about it


Why do evil and suffering cause some people to reject belief in God?

Some people struggle to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with the idea of a benevolent and all-powerful God. This can lead them to question or reject their belief in God's existence, as they see these things as incompatible. The presence of evil and suffering in the world can challenge their faith and raise existential doubts about the nature of God.


What is theocidy?

"Theodicy" is a term used to describe philosophical attempts to justify or explain the existence of evil or suffering in the world despite the belief in a benevolent and all-powerful deity. It often involves exploring questions about the nature of God, human free will, and the problem of evil.


What is the meaning of Good can exist without evil whereas evil cannot exist without good?

This statement suggests that the concept of "good" can exist independently on its own, as a positive and desirable quality. However, the concept of "evil" relies on the presence of "good" as a contrasting force to define itself. In other words, good can stand alone, while evil must be defined in relation to good.


Why did God not send Satan somewhere else instead of earth?

The reasons for why God allowed Satan to remain on Earth are not explicitly stated in religious texts. Some interpretations suggest that it may be part of a larger plan to test humanity's faith and resolve, while others believe it is to provide humans with free will to choose between good and evil. Ultimately, the presence of Satan on Earth is seen as a way to challenge individuals to grow spiritually and strengthen their relationship with God.

Related questions

Does the devil live?

OpinionThe devil does not really exist. He is a theological creation to explain the existence of evil in the world.


What are some religious explanations for the existence of evil in the world and What are some non-religious explanations?

According to traditional Christian belief:God is perfectly good;God's power is unlimited (he is omnopotent);God is all-knowing (omniscient);God is the sole creator of everything that exists;There is evil in the world.The problem of evil is that if the universe as we know it is the creation of a God who is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-good, then it is surprising that there is evil in the world. David Hume put the theist's dilemma as, "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil."Theologians are unwilling to accept that the problem of evil is evidence that God does not exist, and have struggled with theodocies that seek to resolve the problem in favour of religion. An important religious explanation for the existence of evil is the existence of free will. God allwed us to choose to do good or do evil, and evil is the misuse by us of that God-given power. Not everything we regard as an evil is the result of human wrongdoing, and Norman L. Geisler (Christian Ethics: Options and Issues), speaking as a Christian against euthanasia, says that far from being an evil to avoid at all cost, suffering can be a time of refining and character building.Philosophers tend to make the distinction between natural evil and moral evil. The religious explanation for natural evil is that God did it, perhaps as punishment for wrongdoing, but the non-religious explanation is simply the working of natural laws. Moral evil does not have a general non-religious explanation, other than the moral failings of some people.


Who did the Greeks blame for the existence of evil?

The Greeks blame women for the existence of evil Two examples of this are seen with the stories of Adam and Eve and Pandora's Box.


Contradiction to St Thomas Aquinas five ways?

One common contradiction to St. Thomas Aquinas' five ways is the argument of the Problem of Evil. This argument asserts that the existence of evil and suffering in the world is inconsistent with the idea of an all-powerful, all-loving God. The Problem of Evil raises questions about the nature of God's attributes and challenges the logic of Aquinas' proofs for the existence of God.


How is the existence of evil prove God's love?

the world we live in is a test to see who really loves him and will follow him, he is showing his love in that he saves us from hell when we accept him.


How does Milton explain the existence of evil in a world created by a loving god?

Out of vengefulness, Satan plans to corrupt God's original plan for humanity. According to Milton, God allows evil to exist in order that good may arise from it


What is the Anglican view on good vs evil?

Anglicanism teaches that only good can exist of a loving God. They further affirm there is but one God who is all powerful and all good. The existence of evil represents the question that if evil exists, God is either incomplete in either power or goodness to prevent the suffering of his children. When issue comes up, most use western theological explanations such God is good and created all in his image or goodness, but certain creatures must be given the ability to decide for themselves and choose between good and evil.


Is Buddha evil?

Evil emanates from the individual, not from any religion. NOT from any of the religions.


Do good spirits also exist and if they do what is their main cause of existence?

Yes people who believe in spirits believe there are good and evil spirits. I could not tell of their purpose of existence


Why was Satan put on Earth?

There is no real scripture, other than mythologocal one in New Testament. The word satan is not a name, but rather a title, Satan capitalized in Christianity stands for meaning if someone is not for the Church, then they are against the Church.


How much of the world's population believe in evil?

It is impossible to say how many people "believe in evil." Believing in evil does not constitute following or being that evil. There are people that belive in the Devil, but do not follow him. Belief is just acknowledging the existence of such a thing. There may be people that think evil is just a figment of our imaginations to make up for our lack of taking responsibility. However, most people probably realize that evil is (in my opinion) a very real thing. Even those that belive that there is good in everyone know that there may still be evil in some of them.


Why are supernatural explanations unscientific?

supernatural explanations is not testable and falsifiable- you cannot check the validity of the idea or reveal that an reveal that an idea is actually not true. Science requires natural explanations for natural phenomena, it can neither support nor falsify hypothesis that angels, ghosts, or spirits, whether good or evil, cause storms, rainbows, illlnesses, or cures.