DISCLAIMER: Please note this discussion is about the current understanding of evil from a philosophical, existential, clinial, and psychological perspective. I am not discussing the religious view of evil, per se (especially as I believe it to be in my faith). This is not to say I do not believe in my faith or in Jesus, but rather, I am opening up this discussion for "the psychology of evil" to be explored in its many complex forms. Instead of coming at this topic from a specific religious theory of evil, I have touched on the many definitions of evil to reach a wider audience and open discussion about why PSYCHOLOGY finds evil so hard to study. For those overyly religious viewers, I would appreciate you not comment. I've already gotten comments against my Christian faith and against the comments in the chat box. This is an educational space for people to explore psychology and spirituality as it relates to humanity, their lives, and relationships. Please show respect to others as we learn together. Thank you.
Thank you Tamara for going into this topic. I had a boyfriend whose behavior at times was confusing. I always had my boundaries in place. He left the relationship and he checked all the boxes of a person with NPD. I never went back and I realized he was evil. Disconnect from family, they are not evil just dysfunctional and have not dealt with their own trauma. I am dealing with mine and thank you Tamara for talking about the balance. Not all people are evil just troubled. May they eventually get the help they need. It is possible to get the help you just have to want it
You're so right! It's a good thing to remember that people can change, and that there are certainly people who just need guidance and a better way to live. But once you find that evil and troublesome person who does nothing but evil, run! I'm glad you got away from that relationship. Glad to have you on the channel!
New subscriber…thank you for this discussion. I first examined the idea of human evil after reading M Scott Peck’s book “People of the Lie.” After reading his book I realized that the greatest lie is that evil doesn’t exist. Evil kills the spirit. Many have no idea who may be sleeping next to them or eating at their table. Honestly, this was a frightening read on so many levels.🐾
Welcome aboard! It's so important to be aware of the dark side of human behavior and the impact it can have. I love that you say..."I realized that the greatest lie is that evil doesn’t exist..." well said!!
Thank you for this. She looked good on paper, her other children thought she was a saint. One on one, it was torture to be her scapegoat, witness and resource for unconditional loving regard. So confusing. Still in recovery and working on my basic human development for 36 years beginning in my early 30’s.
When I was a child - about 8 years old, I had an experience that is as vivid to me today as when it happened. I woke up and there was a presence in that room. I felt it and and I still remember the smell. Even writing this - I know it sounds like I'm describing some other kind of dissociative experience, and that's why I've never spoken of it - but I'm telling you, I was wide awake and fully conscious, and this feels like a safe space to share this experience. I can see and remember it as clearly now as then, evil was standing in the doorway of my room, it wasn't a person or a thing. I remember praying ferociously and KNOWING I was safe in my prayer - but also feeling the very real threat of whatever that was. I've had other experiences, once with a friend - and this uncharacteristic confidence rose up every time. I just didn't fear that evil energy -but my response to it was uncharacteristically aggressive. My friend felt safe with me. I'm a peace loving person - but I was ready to go to the mat with whatever that was. Years later, I learned that this is how Catholics advise people to respond to demonic energies - to reject and rebuke - and that's exactly what my instinct was. I credit my beautiful paternal grandmother with instilling this spiritual protection by modelling goodness. She was so quiet but she had a presence that was powerful and calm, and exceptional person. Everything she made was beautiful. She raised ten children and was known for never losing her temper. What a blessing these truly good people are. the inverse of trauma - their love and goodness reaches across the generations. I only knew her until I was ten, and rarely saw her. But she made a deep impression on everyone who knew her. Thank you for creating a space where we can speak about this dimension of human experience, which really is foundational.
love your deep dives and explanations … helps to validate what feels intrinsically ’known’ but can be otherwise quite difficult to put words to in real life ways. there’s BIG examples all around, but it’s the micro-evils every day that make you feel nutso sometimes . would also love your take on identifying/ understanding/ maintain healthier relationship to those who have a more ‘oppositional’ approach to literally everything and every conversation- unless of course you happen to be in agreement with them (which still only gets you 50% there 😂) more specifically parents - but genuinely interested in how to navigate that as adult without being so incredibly triggered you just smart off or get stuck in the tit for tat game be well !
Thank you Sooo much for this content. That one family is my family. Alot of disordered / unhealed , psychologically disturbed People. It's very taboo to say your parents or family members are evil. I think to be defined as evil is what the Bible describes as a reprobate mind. One emotional coping mechanism to survive evil, for myself, was to hope and believe and the harder I loved and showed kindness , I would remain faithful, in hopes that unconditional love, would be shown in return. Evil is the opposite of love which is darkness and hate. When someone looks at you with a blank ,evil hate filled stare and you get shivers and sense that feeling of evil without the other person even saying a word. When you grow up with evil, then you have a 6th sense and learn to protect and guard your heart. Nothing new under the sun. There's always been evil. The Bible, has many examples of evil.
You're welcome and thank you for contributing to this complex discussion. Glad you mentioned the Biblical view of evil. A reprobate mind is fully removed from being sensitive to evil. It isn't able to be perceived when the mind is turned from God. For viewers of this comment, the verse is here: biblehub.com/niv/romans/1-28.htm. A loss of connection to Truth. And feeling that evil in your soul as you observe it in another person, is earthshattering. That feeling will always be remembered. I've been there.
Another great topic. I always wondered about this too. My aunt was diagnosed with some mental conditions that lead to our very religious family having to go to court to force her to take her medication since her symptoms were getting worse when she was off her meds. The judge refused to do what the family was asking, which was have her committed again. My aunt was acting fine that day in court, normal, even being off the medications, but her episodes would come and go, so my family knew her differently...it was very strange. My father would get angry at me after I turned 18 and left our home and stopped going to my grandma's house where my aunt and cousins lived. I told him it was dangerous, there was something wrong with my aunt. I had been telling the family for years when I was a little girl, before she was finally diagnosed, but no one paid attention to what I was saying, or how this aunt treated me differently. I think there was something more to it. My aunt could not stand me and picked on me since I was a little girl. I did not feel safe around her. When I was in my 20's she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and manic depressive disorder (what my other aunt told me years later after the tragedy happened in our family). After the judge refused to listen to the families concerns, my aunt would one day wait for her mother to leave the room at their house and find her keys that locked the weapons closet. I will not go any further details with what happened, it was bad. We lost two family members that morning, my aunt was one of them. The other was her half brother my favorite uncle who was always kind to me. He was my full uncle and she was my half aunt, my grandmother had remarried a second time after she divorced my father's father. There is so much more to this story. I believe evil exist because I looked into it's eyes as a child and recognized it right away...and evil did not like that I knew what is was. I believe the reason some people have a hard time with the subject of evil, is because it comes from a place of monster movies and stories we were told as children, like make believe and that's where evil wants people to keep it. It does not want people to actually believe it really exist, it wants to remain invisible, which keeps it safe where it can continue to cause the most harm. Hidden in plain site. In the scientific explanation of things evil can stay hidden. What happened to my family was not as common as it is now a days in domestic situations all over the world...evil grew to the level it did to make it a normal occurrence now. But back in the early 90's in my city, my family was in the news for the event that happened that morning, and now it happens too much for people to care anymore, now it has become normal. That is the most frightening thing of all. Thank you again for these great vlogs, I learn so much from them.
Thanks Tamara. As always very informative. Love your use of research. I always learn a lot and my experiences validated, what more could we ask of you ❤. Merry Christmas and wishing you a wonderful year ahead. 😘
Dark triad, on a spectrum? I think evil family can be very subtle (in my own case) I never understood my gut vibes before I was 8 to 9 years old. It was a ‘house of cards’ and my parents both had a sense of humor so would cover it up with laughter pointing fingers outside of the family. Therefore I’ve always had hesitation with neighbors, or churches and groups.
Evil is everywhere it has become the normal this is why the majority doesn't see it or pretend they don't (because they are also evil) . A story of Gabor Maté describes this perfectly: Two fish meet each other in the ocean. The first fish asks: Is the water good? The other replies in awe : What the f*ck is the water?
My neighbour has the number plate 666 the Devil number Do you think she is a witch Her parents worship her like a princess and give her everything she wants. She put a curse on me..I pray God will save her and transform her heart.
DISCLAIMER: Please note this discussion is about the current understanding of evil from a philosophical, existential, clinial, and psychological perspective. I am not discussing the religious view of evil, per se (especially as I believe it to be in my faith). This is not to say I do not believe in my faith or in Jesus, but rather, I am opening up this discussion for "the psychology of evil" to be explored in its many complex forms.
Instead of coming at this topic from a specific religious theory of evil, I have touched on the many definitions of evil to reach a wider audience and open discussion about why PSYCHOLOGY finds evil so hard to study.
For those overyly religious viewers, I would appreciate you not comment. I've already gotten comments against my Christian faith and against the comments in the chat box. This is an educational space for people to explore psychology and spirituality as it relates to humanity, their lives, and relationships. Please show respect to others as we learn together. Thank you.
Thank you Tamara for going into this topic. I had a boyfriend whose behavior at times was confusing. I always had my boundaries in place. He left the relationship and he checked all the boxes of a person with NPD. I never went back and I realized he was evil. Disconnect from family, they are not evil just dysfunctional and have not dealt with their own trauma. I am dealing with mine and thank you Tamara for talking about the balance. Not all people are evil just troubled. May they eventually get the help they need. It is possible to get the help you just have to want it
You're so right! It's a good thing to remember that people can change, and that there are certainly people who just need guidance and a better way to live. But once you find that evil and troublesome person who does nothing but evil, run! I'm glad you got away from that relationship.
Glad to have you on the channel!
New subscriber…thank you for this discussion. I first examined the idea of human evil after reading M Scott Peck’s book “People of the Lie.” After reading his book I realized that the greatest lie is that evil doesn’t exist. Evil kills the spirit. Many have no idea who may be sleeping next to them or eating at their table. Honestly, this was a frightening read on so many levels.🐾
Welcome aboard! It's so important to be aware of the dark side of human behavior and the impact it can have. I love that you say..."I realized that the greatest lie is that evil doesn’t exist..."
well said!!
Thank you for this. She looked good on paper, her other children thought she was a saint. One on one, it was torture to be her scapegoat, witness and resource for unconditional loving regard. So confusing. Still in recovery and working on my basic human development for 36 years beginning in my early 30’s.
When I was a child - about 8 years old, I had an experience that is as vivid to me today as when it happened. I woke up and there was a presence in that room. I felt it and and I still remember the smell. Even writing this - I know it sounds like I'm describing some other kind of dissociative experience, and that's why I've never spoken of it - but I'm telling you, I was wide awake and fully conscious, and this feels like a safe space to share this experience. I can see and remember it as clearly now as then, evil was standing in the doorway of my room, it wasn't a person or a thing. I remember praying ferociously and KNOWING I was safe in my prayer - but also feeling the very real threat of whatever that was. I've had other experiences, once with a friend - and this uncharacteristic confidence rose up every time. I just didn't fear that evil energy -but my response to it was uncharacteristically aggressive. My friend felt safe with me. I'm a peace loving person - but I was ready to go to the mat with whatever that was. Years later, I learned that this is how Catholics advise people to respond to demonic energies - to reject and rebuke - and that's exactly what my instinct was. I credit my beautiful paternal grandmother with instilling this spiritual protection by modelling goodness. She was so quiet but she had a presence that was powerful and calm, and exceptional person. Everything she made was beautiful. She raised ten children and was known for never losing her temper. What a blessing these truly good people are. the inverse of trauma - their love and goodness reaches across the generations. I only knew her until I was ten, and rarely saw her. But she made a deep impression on everyone who knew her. Thank you for creating a space where we can speak about this dimension of human experience, which really is foundational.
I don’t remember the entire first 8 years of my life. Both parents called me names, and I was stunted. At 62 still unpacking all the traumas.
love your deep dives and explanations … helps to validate what feels intrinsically ’known’ but can be otherwise quite difficult to put words to in real life ways. there’s BIG examples all around, but it’s the micro-evils every day that make you feel nutso sometimes .
would also love your take on identifying/ understanding/ maintain healthier relationship to those who have a more ‘oppositional’ approach to literally everything and every conversation- unless of course you happen to be in agreement with them (which still only gets you 50% there 😂)
more specifically parents - but genuinely interested in how to navigate that as adult without being so incredibly triggered you just smart off or get stuck in the tit for tat game
be well !
Thank you Sooo much for this content. That one family is my family. Alot of disordered / unhealed , psychologically disturbed People. It's very taboo to say your parents or family members are evil. I think to be defined as evil is what the Bible describes as a reprobate mind. One emotional coping mechanism to survive evil, for myself, was to hope and believe and the harder I loved and showed kindness , I would remain faithful, in hopes that unconditional love, would be shown in return. Evil is the opposite of love which is darkness and hate. When someone looks at you with a blank ,evil hate filled stare and you get shivers and sense that feeling of evil without the other person even saying a word. When you grow up with evil, then you have a 6th sense and learn to protect and guard your heart. Nothing new under the sun. There's always been evil. The Bible, has many examples of evil.
You're welcome and thank you for contributing to this complex discussion. Glad you mentioned the Biblical view of evil. A reprobate mind is fully removed from being sensitive to evil. It isn't able to be perceived when the mind is turned from God. For viewers of this comment, the verse is here: biblehub.com/niv/romans/1-28.htm.
A loss of connection to Truth.
And feeling that evil in your soul as you observe it in another person, is earthshattering. That feeling will always be remembered. I've been there.
Another great topic. I always wondered about this too. My aunt was diagnosed with some mental conditions that lead to our very religious family having to go to court to force her to take her medication since her symptoms were getting worse when she was off her meds.
The judge refused to do what the family was asking, which was have her committed again. My aunt was acting fine that day in court, normal, even being off the medications, but her episodes would come and go, so my family knew her differently...it was very strange.
My father would get angry at me after I turned 18 and left our home and stopped going to my grandma's house where my aunt and cousins lived. I told him it was dangerous, there was something wrong with my aunt. I had been telling the family for years when I was a little girl, before she was finally diagnosed, but no one paid attention to what I was saying, or how this aunt treated me differently. I think there was something more to it.
My aunt could not stand me and picked on me since I was a little girl. I did not feel safe around her. When I was in my 20's she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and manic depressive disorder (what my other aunt told me years later after the tragedy happened in our family).
After the judge refused to listen to the families concerns, my aunt would one day wait for her mother to leave the room at their house and find her keys that locked the weapons closet. I will not go any further details with what happened, it was bad.
We lost two family members that morning, my aunt was one of them. The other was her half brother my favorite uncle who was always kind to me. He was my full uncle and she was my half aunt, my grandmother had remarried a second time after she divorced my father's father.
There is so much more to this story. I believe evil exist because I looked into it's eyes as a child and recognized it right away...and evil did not like that I knew what is was.
I believe the reason some people have a hard time with the subject of evil, is because it comes from a place of monster movies and stories we were told as children, like make believe and that's where evil wants people to keep it. It does not want people to actually believe it really exist, it wants to remain invisible, which keeps it safe where it can continue to cause the most harm. Hidden in plain site. In the scientific explanation of things evil can stay hidden.
What happened to my family was not as common as it is now a days in domestic situations all over the world...evil grew to the level it did to make it a normal occurrence now. But back in the early 90's in my city, my family was in the news for the event that happened that morning, and now it happens too much for people to care anymore, now it has become normal. That is the most frightening thing of all.
Thank you again for these great vlogs, I learn so much from them.
Sorry to hear about your grandfather. :( Thank you for taking on this topic, Tamara!
Thank you. I appreciate that.
And you're welcome. I will conclude this conversation today.
@TherapistTamaraHill I'm looking forward to it! 😌
😢😢❤this was soo good. Thanks Tam. Wisdom at its best
🥰thank you! So glad this resonated with you.
Thanks Tamara. As always very informative. Love your use of research. I always learn a lot and my experiences validated, what more could we ask of you ❤.
Merry Christmas and wishing you a wonderful year ahead. 😘
This is a fascinating topic
Keep it up 💞
Thank you 😊
XO. Thanks for your videos.
You're welcome 😊
Dark triad, on a spectrum? I think evil family can be very subtle (in my own case) I never understood my gut vibes before I was 8 to 9 years old. It was a ‘house of cards’ and my parents both had a sense of humor so would cover it up with laughter pointing fingers outside of the family. Therefore I’ve always had hesitation with neighbors, or churches and groups.
Thanks
You're welcome!
Per son ( pronounced as in- con but with an s instead of a c ) if ication.
Hope that makes sense 🤷♀️
Evil is everywhere it has become the normal this is why the majority doesn't see it or pretend they don't (because they are also evil) . A story of Gabor Maté describes this perfectly: Two fish meet each other in the ocean. The first fish asks: Is the water good? The other replies in awe : What the f*ck is the water?
❤
Person-if-👁️- k-shin. 😊
🤗thank you
My neighbour has the number plate 666 the Devil number Do you think she is a witch Her parents worship her like a princess and give her everything she wants. She put a curse on me..I pray God will save her and transform her heart.
Per-son-ni-fi-ca-tion. Your not pronouncing the first "i" as being a short "i" with an "n" as part of the sound.
🤭🤣🫡thank you
@@dandoneral5405 - "You're" or "You are" is what you meant. Remember perfect grammar is written, not spoken. 👍
@@shill1444 😇🙈