- Religion and Philosophy»
- The Role of Religion in History & Society
Good Versus Evil
Can Goodness Overcome Evil?
Sometimes at first blush, it may appear that evil has overcome good in the world. On further observation of our world, it is evident that goodness, kindness, generosity, empathy and love for other humans and living things make life worth living. Even in disasters and wars, there is beauty, power, wonder and awe. The effects of disasters and wars can be considered evil because of the hurt and suffering that they caused. Sometimes suffering is a vehicle to love, kindness or a change of the status quo, hopefully for the better.
Lets think back for a moment of the hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005. Some would argue that what happened to the people of New Orleans was mostly evil. They can only see the pain and suffering of those who lost loved ones and property. Others have seen the kindness and empathy of strangers juxtaposed to the devastation. Yet others would argue about retribution for evil behaviours. They argue that bad things happen to bad people, so those who suffer deserve it as a means to force changing behaviours.
Do you think that wars are instances when evil seems to overcome good? What about civilian casualties of world wars? Do they deserve the trauma, dismemberment and death? Did they die in vain or was there a peaceful resolution? There were several civil wars at different times in our history, for instance, The American Civil War. What was the result? Was it a necessary evil?