Absolutely Evil

[davem]

I think the point is that people are seeing 'perfection' as equalling stasis. This is clearly not necessary. A sunset may be 'perfect' but it is a process rather than a 'moment'. You could have a perfect world which involved change, process, without the presence of evil in it. As I said earlier: 'Variety would still exist - colours, shapes, textures, tastes, even sadness & happiness (not all tears are an evil).'

The mistake is to believe that evil is necessary in order for there to be interesting or challenging events. As Bilbo said 'In every wood, in every spring, there is a different green'. Men are fated to be restless in Arda, always looking for something else, but while this may lead some of them into 'sin' sin, in & of itself is not the only response. Men may be seduced into evil acts but they don't have to be. We all do lots of different things to fill our days, but how many of those things are 'evil'? Most of actually do a variety of 'good' or 'neutral' things most of the time. We could all do 'good' things all of the time (or at least neutral things most of the time) if we chose.

I find the idea that evil is necessary because pure good would be boring to be a very dangerous concept....Melkorian, if you will.