What qualifies as evil?

[catholic_rn]

I’ve recently seen the video of the woman in Malaysia beating her baby, and read many of the comments that are all over the web. Most are calling her sadistic and evil. But, I’ve heard that this baby is a product of rape, and that accounts for the mother’s behavior, (not that it justifies it).

So my question is, if her actions are sadistic and evil, does that automatically make her evil?

I know nothing about this woman, and don’t even know if the rape story is true, but speaking hypothetically –

what if this woman is a Catholic, a devout one, who goes to Mass regularly, prays her rosary, tries in all other regards to be a good person. She struggles with some sort of mental illness (possibly due to rape) that causes her to behave in this sadistic manner towards her child. After, she is full of regret and prays for forgiveness, though she sometimes repeats the sadistic behavior.

Does this make her evil?

I am not making excuses for this woman, certainly not. But I wonder if this is just plain evil, or mental illness causing her to abuse her baby? And if it’s mental illness, does that make her evil for her actions?

 

[J_Peterson]

I haven’t seen the video. But be careful with your wording. A person can’t be evil because they were created by God, but they can commit evil acts. I know it’s just semantics but it bugs me in the same way that people calling others “illegals” bugs me.

I’d say that if she, crazy or not, knows what she is doing is wrong, it’s evil,

 

[catholic_rn]

I haven’t seen the video. But be careful with your wording. A person can’t be evil because they were created by God, but they can commit evil acts. I know it’s just semantics but it bugs me in the same way that people calling others “illegals” bugs me.

I’d say that if she, crazy or not, knows what she is doing is wrong, it’s evil,

Good point about the wording!

 

[JRKH]

Evil is that which does not have Love (God) as it’s source.

Peace
James

 

[AdamP88]

A human being cannot be evil. We are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore are His good creations. However, as we are fallen we are inclined to commit evil acts.

 

[catholic_rn]

**

A human being cannot be evil. We are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore are His good creations. However, as we are fallen we are inclined to commit evil acts.

I understand all that, but where is the line drawn, spiritually, between an act of evil and someone who is genuinely bad? Does it all boil down to remorse for the evil act, or the ability to stop the evil act? For example, looking at recent hideous crimes, like the Petit murders, or the Sandusky case, in the event that he is found guilty, and this woman from Malaysia. At what point can you say “this is a good person who had a mental illness that caused him/her to snap” or do you say “this person is horrible and bad through and through.” To some, a frustrated mother who snaps and smacks or hits her baby for several minutes over and over again is one of the worst kinds of crimes imaginable. To others, it’s not so bad in light of other crimes where someone is murdered or many, many people are hurt.

I guess it just depends on the case and the people involved. Part of it is that I’m having a hard time understanding so much of the hate and anger being spewed about this woman all over the media. Yes, what she did was horrible, but I do think it’s possible to be a good person and commit a very grave, serious sin. Again, knowing nothing about this woman, I can only assume that she’s not monster the press is making her out to be.**

 

[AdamP88]

No human person is inherently bad or evil. No matter what crime they commit. God always offers His love to us and always offers the chance to repent. No matter how bad our crimes may be.

There may be people who have closed themselves off from Gods mercy and grace and simply go on sinning to the point where they commit the vilest of atrocities. These people are still loved by God…and He wants them to return to Him. But the problem is that the more you commit evil acts the more you silence your conscience…so it gets more difficult to repent.

Obviously there are other circumstances such as mental illness etc. that should be taken into account as well.

 

[WTSherman]

Evil is, as evil does. If you have trouble gaining a sense of what you know as evil better to read the Bible and seek wisdom.

My experience has been, the more I do right, the more I succeed. The more I do what I know to be wrong, the more I suffer.

 

[catholic_rn]

Evil is, as evil does. If you have trouble gaining a sense of what you know as evil better to read the Bible and seek wisdom.

My experience has been, the more I do right, the more I succeed. The more I do what I know to be wrong, the more I suffer.

I know what evil acts are. My question is more regarding intent, and/or illness that is present at the time the evil act is committed. I don’t necessarily think that what the mother from Malaysia did makes her evil. What if you KNOW what you are doing is wrong, but for whatever reason, perhaps a mental illness, you simply CAN’T help yourself sometimes? If you are sorry and repent, surely you are not an “evil” person.

 

[AdamP88]

As I have already said to you, no person is evil. We are who we choose to be through our actions and decisions.

what if this woman is a Catholic, a devout one, who goes to Mass regularly, prays her rosary, tries in all other regards to be a good person. She struggles with some sort of mental illness (possibly due to rape) that causes her to behave in this sadistic manner towards her child. After, she is full of regret and prays for forgiveness, though she sometimes repeats the sadistic behavior.

Does this make her evil?

In answer to your initial question - no, this does not make her an evil person. Whether she has a mental illness or not.

She is, like the rest of us, able to sin…and, like the rest of us, struggles with her sins.

I hope this answers your question adequately.

God Bless