is ISIS evil?

"islamic state" i belive is the correct name but "is IS evil?" seemed awkward as a topic title (but maybe "that depends on what your definition of IS is")

so,i usually take the position that there is such a phenomena in the world as may be called EVIL

not so much as a demonic force or supernatural power, but as the selfish application of personal resources and in the worst case scenarios as destructive and violent social movements

from what i can tell, IS seems a clear cut example of evil as it manifests in human culture

when i say "i think IS is evil" its not simply me feeling self righteous and superior, and its not merely that i have a different perspective from them or that im not appreciating the relativity of things

its because of the lines they cross and the suffering they cause

im curious what perspective some of you have on this specific example

I agree in that they are evil because:
1. They purposely scare people
2. Hurt innocent civilians
3. Back up their beliefs with Islam

I dont see them as evil in either a personal view or in the societal view. What they claim to be is not terroist but rather rebles defending their faith and culture. While we may see them as in the wrong or evil they see themselves as rebles defending a noble cause. Evil is relative view on things and it is important that we dont just look at our view. To truely understand something we must first be accepting of the ideals and values it holds. This must be done even to those people and things that that harm us. To be a jedi is to be understanding and forgiveing in all things.

Competent wrote: I agree in that they are evil because:
1. They purposely scare people
2. Hurt innocent civilians
3. Back up their beliefs with Islam

I would just like to remind you that we do not hate other religions because they are not our own. We must be tollereant in all things and not fear the things we do not understand.

I dont see them as evil.

Competent wrote: I agree in that they are evil because: 1. They purposely scare people 2. Hurt innocent civilians 3. Back up their beliefs with Islam

If you change Islam to 'bible' 'holy book'
Could fit many other religions.

elizabeth wrote: I dont see them as evil.

Competent wrote: I agree in that they are evil because: 1. They purposely scare people 2. Hurt innocent civilians 3. Back up their beliefs with Islam

If you change Islam to 'bible' 'holy book'
Could fit many other religions.

i dont often see you post but i appreciate it when you do

i am sincerely curious, how DO you see them?


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EDIT

i dont think i will change my view and i dont expect youll change yours,but i am sincere in wanting to understand your perspective

Does being evil depend on knowing better?
Do you have to have or be taught a set of (positive) morals and values and willingly go against them in order to be evil?

in my view, no,not really

evil is a mood and an intent on the one side, and an outcome on the other

if no one ever explained to me that it is evil to rape and murder then maybe i was deprived of the education i needed, but regardless of this, during the act of raping and murdering, i could not help but see the suffering i was causing

now i do agree that being taught "morals" is relevant to the discussion, especially when it comes to the question of HOW DO WE DEAL WITH EVIL

but it is the rape and the murder which are evil in and of themselves

i would even say that many times evil has been commited by those who felt they were in the cause of "positive morals and values"

ISIS may have committed some of the most terrible acts against humanity in the 21st century, but I do not consider them to be evil. Why? Most of ISIS fighters have been, for lack of a better word, brainwashed. They really don't know better, and are being controlled and manipulated by people who know how to pull the strings of religion. It can happen with any religion.

A better question to ask would be "What IS evil?" Does it manifest itself in people, or are those who are born with black hearts? Is a person, or an act someone commits? And if it is an act, where does it come from?

This conversation is entirely dependent on the definition of both evil and humanity. I choose to believe that ISIS is not inherently evil, though it's slaughter of the innocent people and destruction of museums full of ancient artifacts could never be justified.

If, however, ISIS is not evil, wouldn't there be a way to bring them back to peace? Wouldn't we have a better way of answering hate than more warfare? If love can not win them over, then maybe it is real evil we are dealing with.

Skryym wrote: If, however, ISIS is not evil, wouldn't there be a way to bring them back to peace? Wouldn't we have a better way of answering hate than more warfare? If love can not win them over, then maybe it is real evil we are dealing with.

You hit upon something that has been preoccupying my thoughts this evening. One of the things I have firmly believed for so long is that no one is beyond redemption, it's why I'm against cruel and unusual punishment and one of the reasons I'm against the death penalty. But how in the universe can someone who not only kills innocents, but specifically targets innocents to slaughter in large numbers simply because they have not explicitly declared their allegiance to the same cause, possibly be redeemed in any sane sense of the word?