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There are different schools of thought on the nature of evil.

The Isaiah quote is famous, but it is just the start of the discussion.

Personally the create darkness seems at least as interesting.

Forms light - makes peace
Creates darkness - creates evil

Seems like a little Hebrew poem in the bible... cool.

Solo

If I say that "God is good", this is not true. I am good, but God is not good! In fact, I would rather say that I am better than God, for what is good can become better and what can become better can become the best! Now God is not good, and so he cannot become better. Since he cannot become better, he cannot become the best. These three are far from God: "good", "better", "best", for he is wholly transcendent. If I say again that "God is wise", then this too is not true. I am wiser than he is! Or if I say that "God exists", this is also not true. He is being beyond being: he is a nothingness beyond being. Therefore St. Augustine says: "The finest thing that we can say of God is to be silent concerning him from the wisdom of inner riches." Be silent therefore, and do not chatter about God, for by chattering about him, you tell lies and commit a sin. If you wish to be perfect and without sin, then do not prattle about God. Also you should not wish to understand anything about God, for God is beyond all understanding. A master says: If I had a God that I could understand, I would not regard him as God. If you understand anything about him, then he is not in it, and by understanding something of him, you fall into ignorance.

Meister Eckhart (1260-1327)



You're inside every kindness.
When a sick person feels better,
you are that

and the onset of the disease too.
You're sudden, terrible screaming.

Some problems require that we go for help:
when we knock on a stranger's door,

you sent us. Nobody answers: it's
you! When work feels necessary, you

are the way workers move in rhythm,
you are what is: the field, the players,

the ball, those watching. Someone
claims to have evidence that you do

not exist. You're the one who brings
the evidence in, and you are the evidence

itself. You are inside the soul's
great fear, every natural pleasure,

every vicious cruelty. You are in
every difference and irritation.

Someone loves something; someone else
hates the same. There you are.

Whatever eyes see, what anyone wants
or not: political power, injustice,

material possessions, those are your
script, the handwriting that we study.

Body, soul, shadow. Whether reckless
or careful, you are what we do. It's

absurd to ask your pardon. You're
inside repentance, and sin! The wonder

of various jewels, agate, emerald.
How we are during a day, then at night,

you are those moods and qualities.
The pure compassion we feel for each

other. Every encampment has a tent
where the leader is and also the wide

truth of your majestic tent overall.....

Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-73).

Simplyme

It certainly would not stop him from being an evil bastard either.

sotto voce

True. To evil bastards, an evil bastard. To innocent sons, a lavish provider.

sotto voce

So why does the Qur'an major so heavily on Allah assigning guilt?

sotto voce

It does indeed. It might therefore be an idea to know just a little Hebrew, eh.

Darkness = sorrow caused by adversity. See the second reply, which has the best translation you'll ever read.

Thomas II

Well, he crucified his innocent son...Oy...

And Job was a good guy, and he really did a number on him too...:constern01:

sotto voce

No, he manifested himself and allowed himself to be crucified. One must stop thinking like polytheists (trinitarians).

Did Job say so?

Thomas II

Job was probably scared shitless...

But do you see how easy it is to get into situations like this "he manifested himself and allowed himself to be crucified"?...
It really doesn't make any sense...:huh:

sotto voce

If this is all we have to read from you, Thomas, you won't be much read.