“The lesser of two evils principle (or lesser evil principle and lesser-evilism) is the principle that when faced with selecting from two immoral options, the one which is least immoral should be chosen.” (Wikipedia)
I am perturbed and bewildered with the lesser of two evils principle in the last election in the Philippines and United States of America. As per Wikipedia’s description, both options are immoral. As Christians, what are we supposed to do if our choice is between two evils? Abstain from every form of evil. No matter, the lesser or the greater evil.”
Abstain is the keyword. I do not think that it could be more clear in telling us not to have anything to do with evil. Any form of evil, the lesser or not. When someone says I chose the lesser of two evils, they are actually confirming and admitting that the lesser evil they are choosing is evil.
One argues, let us take for example in voting, if both candidates are considered evil, one has no choice but to vote for the lesser evil. If abstained, then we are not exercising the right to vote. In the public square and at the ballot box, we must be more engaged, not less. Nevertheless, when we are young the instruction to us is to abstain from every form of evil. Not voting or abstaining from voting is obedience. It is also exercising our faith. We believe whether we vote or not. Claiming the lesser of the two evils is an admission that there are two morally problematic choices. Should voters still cast a ballot for the lesser of two evils? As per lesson learned while young participating and partnering with evil is never an option.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves and doing to others what we want others to do to us speak of our love. There is absolutely no distinction that could be found between the lesser and the greater evils. If you are willingly to choose a lesser evil, you are knowingly committing a mistake.
During the election, I heard fellow brothers and sisters admitting to me that they are choosing the lesser evil. I read somewhere a guideline when voting for the lesser of two evils must ask themselves. Do we allow our self to choose evil at all? Do we have any business resorting to lesser evil calculations? Are we so obligated to participate in national elections that we must do so even if we believe that both candidates represent evil in one form or another?”
Evil is evil. We could find a fairly strong stance against evil. It is made clear to us when we are young is to condemn those who do evil. People went as far as considering it slander to accuse someone of doing evil that good may come of it. Therefore we must abstain from all evil and not use our freedom as a cloak for doing evil.
To summarize, people should avoid all forms of evil even though we will experience suffering from the evil of others. People never chose evil for the sake of the common good. There is nothing that obligates us to do so. Perhaps we need to remind us to line as free people, but do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.”
Choosing the lesser of two evils goes back to the act of compromising. Evil is evil…just as a lie is a lie (white lie). Accepting either is a form of compromising.
