| | '''Evil''' has many different definitions. In some religions, evil is defined as anything contrary to the mandates of [[God]]. In some ethical systems it is defined as taking advantage of another person for one's own benefit. Evil is generally considered to be the opposite of [[good]]. [[Satan|The devil]] is considered to be the embodiment of evil. | | '''Evil''' has many different definitions. In some religions, evil is defined as anything contrary to the mandates of [[God]]. In some ethical systems it is defined as taking advantage of another person for one's own benefit. Evil is generally considered to be the opposite of [[good]]. [[Satan|The devil]] is considered to be the embodiment of evil. |
| − | In the [[Bible]] in the book of [[Genesis]], evil entered the world when the serpent (the devil) tricked [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] into eating the fruit from the [[Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil]] which had been forbidden<ref>Genesis 3:6-7</ref>. This event is known as [[the Fall]], and is responsible for the suffering and imperfect nature of the world. (Not everyone takes the story literally, and even many [[Christians]] see the Genesis story as an allegory or metaphor, possibly for a fall taking place at a spiritual level. ) | + | In the [[Bible]] in the book of [[Genesis]], evil entered the world when the serpent (the devil) tricked [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] into eating the fruit from the [[Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil]] which had been forbidden<ref>Genesis 3:6-7</ref>. This event is known as [[the Fall]], and is responsible for the suffering and imperfect nature of the world. (Not everyone takes the story literally, and even many [[Christians]] see the Genesis story as an allegory or metaphor, possibly for a fall taking place at a spiritual level. ) Elsewhere in the Bible, we read, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things]." (Isaiah 45:7, KJV) |
| | In Islam, evil is seen as something which must be actively opposed: | | In Islam, evil is seen as something which must be actively opposed: |