The typical discussion among those of Judeo-Christian backgrounds goes something like this: If God is omnipotent and beneficent, why does He allow evil? As UUs, is that the right question when asking about the existence of evil?
Summary:
This sermon explores the philosophical and scientific ways humans account for the existence of evil. The speaker transitions from traditional religious dualism, which personifies evil as an external force like Satan, to more modern psychological and biological frameworks. By citing thinkers like Phil Zimbardo and Robert Sapolsky, the sermon suggests that harmful behavior often stems from situational pressures or neurological malfunctions rather than moral failings. The speaker argues that even natural disasters lack inherent malice and are simply part of an interdependent web of life. Ultimately, the speaker concludes that evil is not a separate entity but a potential within the human biology and environment, urging personal responsibility and a scientific understanding of behavior.