How did the Manichees explain evil?

Answer 1

The Manichees, following the teachings of Mani, explained evil as a fundamental force in the cosmos, arising from a dualistic struggle between the forces of light and darkness. They believed that the material world was created by a lower, evil deity, which trapped the divine light within physical forms. This worldview posited that human souls were fragments of the divine light, seeking liberation from the darkness of the material world. Thus, evil was seen as an inherent part of the cosmic battle, influencing both the spiritual and physical realms.