Evil is "man's inhumanity to man." I imagine a force field into which some people are plunged by intolerable life experiences. Much evil is a form of traumatic reenactment. Many perpetrators, including Nazi leaders, have histories of severe humiliation and/or abuse. Jewish law forbids shaming or humiliating another, as stealing their dignity, equivalent to shedding blood.
Allowing climate change, by ignorance and denial (sins of omission), is evil. Poverty, which you address, creates evil. Nuclear weapons, policies, programs are evil. Relying on violence (war) instead of more proven nonviolent approaches perpetuates evil. These all harm innocent people.
For me, the presence of evil in the world is a stimulus to dig deep inside, bring out the best in ourselves and others, and figure out what is necessary to rescue people from that layer and prevent others from being sucked into it. Might you call this God's work? If people are created in the image of God, does it follow that we are responsible for preventing, healing and transforming evil, and redeeming people, groups and nations when possible?
Do these ideas support or contradict your religious beliefs? Both religion and psychology have been misunderstood, misused and abused. Maybe we can bring out the best in both for a higher purpose.
Sincerely, Diane Perlman, PhD
Diane Perlman, PhD is a clinical and political psychologist, Co - chair, Psychologists for Social Responsibility Initiative on Global Violence, Terrorism and Nuclear Disarmament (psysr.org), Transcend (transcend.org) and Global Council, Abolition 2000.Diane Perlman, PhD
Washington, DC
ninedots@aol.com
dianeperlman@gmail.com
www.consciouspolitics.org
www.humanchainreaction.org
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