this evil world
Humanity has a long history of harm, ranging from systemic violence down to everyday interpersonal friction. A comprehensive review of the ways people hurt each other reveals how these actions span different levels of society:
- Warfare
- Genocide
- Slavery
- Torture
- Terrorism
- Human trafficking
- Forced labour
- Political suppression
- Ethnic cleansing
- Mass surveillance
- Arbitrary detention
- Child exploitation
- Extrajudicial killings
- Forced displacement
- Sexual assault
- Systemic Injustice & Discrimination
- 16. Racism
- 17. Misogyny
- 18. Religious persecution 19. Xenophobia
- 20. Homophobia
- 21. Caste discrimination
- 22. Ageism
- 23. Classism
- 24. Transphobia
- 25. Ableism
- 26. Apartheid policies
- 27. Voter suppression
- 28. Gerrymandering
- 29. Redlining
- 30. Cultural erasure
- Economic & Institutional Harm
- 31. Wage theft
- 32. Predatory lending
- 33. Corporate price-gouging
- 34. Embezzlement
- 35. Political bribery
- 36. Corruption
- 37. Fraud
- 38. Insider trading
- 39. Identity theft
- 40. Sweatshop exploitation
- 41. Scams targeting seniors
- 42. Environmental dumping in poor areas 43. Monopoly price-fixing
- 44. Union busting
- 45. Land grabbing
- Interpersonal Abuse & Cruelty
- 46. Domestic violence 47. Physical assault
- 48. Child abuse
- 49. Elder abuse
- 50. Stalking
- 51. Emotional abuse
- 52. Gaslighting
- 53. Cyberbullying
- 54. Intimidation
- 55. Extortion
- 56. Harassment
- 57. Revenge porn
- 58. Slut-shaming
- 59. Doxxing
- 60. Public humiliation
- Deceit, Manipulation & Relational Harm
- 61. Infidelity
- 62. Betrayal
- 63. Lying
- 64. Manipulative guilt-tripping
- 65. Spreading malicious rumours
- 66. Smear campaigns
- 67. Ghosting
- 68. Breadcrumbing
- 69. Financial infidelity
- 70. Gatekeeping resources
- 71. Exploiting trust
- 72. Backstabbing
- 73. Sabotaging a coworker
- 74. Character assassination
- 75. Emotional stonewalling
- Social Apathy & Everyday Malice
- 76. Bystander apathy
- 77. Bullying
- 78. Ostracisation
- 79. Victim-blaming
- 80. Body-shaming
- 81. Disregarding consent
- 82. Spreading propaganda
- 83. Weaponised incompetence
- 84. Condescension
- 85. Microaggressions
- 86. Entitlement
- 87. Greed
- 88. Selfishness
- 89. Ingratitude
- 90. Envy
- 91. Hypocrisy
- 92. Petty theft
- 93. Vandalism
- 94. Road rage
- 95. Doctrinal radicalisation
- 96. Mocking disability
- 97. Exploiting vulnerable friends
- 98. Chronic flake-outs
- 99. Online trolling
- 100. Neglect
Notice the remarks of various news publications:
Protestant Church’s Role in East Germany
“Now that the Protestant Church in the GDR has basked in glory for a short time as the mother of the peaceful revolution, its public rating seems to be sinking rapidly. To many it appears to have been more a pillar of support for the regime and a playground for the secret police.”
— A German Weekly, November 1991.
“Various regional Protestant bodies have expressed bewilderment at the involvement of church workers and members with the secret police.”
— A Church Journal, January 1991.
“Protestant Church leaders hear complaints that ministers weren’t caring for their congregation members as they used to because they’re active in politics.”
— A Regional Newspaper, February 1990.
“A former political leader stated that the Protestant Church had always played a helpful role in the political relationship between the two German states.”
— A Local Newspaper, February 1992.
Infiltration Across Denominations
“Virtually every Protestant group was infiltrated by secret police agents. A key church representative who negotiated with Communist authorities defended himself by saying, “I would’ve shaken hands with the Devil if it had furthered our cause.”
— An international newspaper.
Connections in Other Regions
A British publication reported on the close relationship between religious leaders and organised crime in Italy, stating…
“The church and organised crime groups have coexisted peacefully for so long that religious leaders are frequently accused of complicity.”
— A British publication
Certain Eastern Orthodox leaders collaborated with state security agents…
“The disclosures about church collaboration with the regime represent a devastating blow. Archives reveal that senior religious leaders didn’t just betray their own principles but were willing to compromise religious figures in other parts of the world.”
— A Canadian newspaper
Mainstream religious groups assert that they represent the pure bride of Christ. However, when these institutions form partnerships with global political leaders, scripture views this betrayal as spiritual unfaithfulness. The Bible compares such organisations to an unfaithful woman.
Political Involvement
As Jas. 4:4 states… “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
Despite this clear warning, church leaders continually enter the realm of politics, while political figures regularly use faith to influence people across the world.