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Evil

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • 9 hours ago
  • 5 min read

 

Having been raised under dogmatic Judeo-Christian doctrine, I was instilled with belief of evil (morally reprehensible, sinful, or wicked). That which is moral is of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior (e.g., it’s generally considered morally wrong to murder people).

 

Regarding the matter of something that’s reprehensible, this term relates to that of which something is disapproved (e.g., it’s generally considered morally reprehensible to rape people). Also, that which is sinful is offensive against religious or moral law (e.g., blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31-32).

 

Pertaining to the matter of wickedness, this term regards the quality or state of an excessively bad or wrong moral prescription (e.g., a plot to rape angels who are mistaken as men: Genesis 19:5). Long since having retired my religious beliefs, I’ve reevaluated my conception of evil.

 

In common parlance, evil merely relates to that which arises from actual or imputed bad character or conduct (e.g., murder, rape, etc.). Rather than viewing evil as a cosmic spiritual force, it can simply relate to the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing, or something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity.

 

Although I have little doubt that my former religious brothers and sisters would disagree with my secular conception of evil, I’ve come a long way since the relatively brief period of time when I identified as atheist and rejected any notions of evil. Now, I maintain an agnostic perspective.

 

Is it possible that there’s a deity, spiritual realm, or other related existence wherefrom cosmic moral reprehensibility, sinfulness, or wickedness originate? Perhaps. However, I have no evidence of such a spiritual plain. Therefore, as a matter of compromise, I acknowledge that fallible human beings are capable of behaving in an evil manner (though we aren’t evil).

 

Of course, I’m not unhelpfully demanding that others should, must, or ought to adopt my outlook. Rather, I’m solely providing justification for why I use this term within my blog. If you’d like, you’re welcome to believe in beings like an oni, about which one source states:

 

An oni is a kind of yōkai, demon, orc, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. They are believed to live in caves or deep in the mountains or in hell. Oni are known for their superhuman strength and have been associated with powers like thunder and lightning, along with their evil nature manifesting in their propensity for murder and cannibalism.


 

I say this not in gest or to ridicule, because I once believed in demons (evil spirits) which were flung to earth with or by Satan (Revelation 12:4). As well, I genuinely subscribed to the notion of Satan as the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), “prince of this world” (John 12:31), and that the “whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).

 

Aside from an explanation regarding why I continue referring to evil in my blog, albeit from a secular perspective, the current post serves as a reminder to myself about how a growing number of Christian conservatives openly label matters with which they disagree as demonic (of or relating to a cosmic source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin).

 

I’ve even observed secular conservatives in the United States using this term. Herein, I remind myself that I don’t know the intentions of individuals who use the terms evil or demonic. Further, even if I disagree with one’s implications, I can understand a person’s use of diction.

 

While the current blog entry may be of little use to the general public, I’ve chosen to share my cognitive process with others. If you’ve received some benefit in my pursuit of understanding and would like to know more about how to use rational thinking, then I look forward to hearing from you.

 

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

 

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

 

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

 

 

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

 

References:

 

Hollings, D. (2024, May 7). Are immoral people capable of rational thinking? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-immoral-people-capable-of-rational-thinking

Hollings, D. (2023, July 2). Can’t go out sad. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/can-t-go-out-sad

Hollings, D. (2024, October 29). Cognitive continuum. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/cognitive-continuum

Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness

Hollings, D. (2022, October 5). Description vs. prescription. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/description-vs-prescription

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, March 12). Distress vs. disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/distress-vs-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, March 4). Justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/justification

Hollings, D. (2022, November 10). Labeling. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/labeling

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics

Hollings, D. (2024, July 7). Non-dogmatic preferences. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/non-dogmatic-preferences

Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/principles

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2024, June 26). Righting historical wrongs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/righting-historical-wrongs

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

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