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How do we define evil

We all know evil when we see it. Senseless harm. Needless destruction. We all know evil and to some extent we all do evil, but I have yet to meet the person who intends to do evil.

Solzhenitsyn expressed the idea beautifully when he said the line between good and evil runs through the heart of every man. Evil is pervasive because none of us wants to cut out a piece of his own heart.

You hold the catalog of your own evils. I don't know if you tortured insects or raped your own sister. Many a soldier has survived war only to commit suicide over the horrors perpetrated in the name of patriotism. We each have our skeletons in the closet and our means of holding them there.

If you have found forgiveness, are you willing to extend it to all others? While we recognize that no person is perfect, we must also allow that none is pure evil. Every human has redeeming qualities. Each began as an adorable baby and holds memories of childhood delights.

Since we share the common bond of humanity, there is no point in making enemies. What has ever been gained through vengeance other than perpetuation of evil? Let us each endeavor to hold no ill will against another person, group or nation. If we can't eradicate evil, at least we can lessen our role in continuing it.

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