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Good, evil and suffering Origin of evil

Evil and suffering can sometimes make people question their religious beliefs. Catholic beliefs about the origins of suffering in the world and how to respond to this problem vary.

Part of Religious StudiesGood and evil - Unit 1

Origin of evil

Many Catholics believe that evil is the result of 's disobedience to God. In the , Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. God punished Adam and Eve for their actions, and the punishment was to endure suffering in life. This is known as 'the fall'.

Some Catholics believe that all people inherited the tendency to sin from Adam and Eve. This belief is called . According to this belief, all humans are born with a tendency towards evil and the ability to cause suffering.

In it states:

...the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth.
Genesis 8: 21

Many Christians also believe that as well as a power for good (God) there is also a power for evil. Christians refer to the power for evil as or the Devil. Satan is traditionally thought to have been an who disobeyed God and so was thrown out of heaven.

Question

Describe the theory of original sin.

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