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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Matter of Opinion

The Nature of Evil


(Photo of Charles William Smith courtesy of Benewah County Sheriff's Office)

When I read the horrific story of the abuse of 3-year-old Kyra Wine of St. Maries, I wondered once again about the nature of evil.

As our story reported today, "Benewah County sheriff's deputies found the blond, fair-skinned girl covered in bruises and with dead flesh on her feet and hands." Kyra's mother, 26-year-old Christina Haynes, and her boyfriend, 29-year-old Charles William Smith, have been arrested.

What happens in homes where abuse happens in such terrible ways? Does it make the case for you that evil exists, in its own right, and manifests itself through willing humans? Or does it bring up some other explanations. Blog lines, sadly, are open.



A Matter of Opinion is really a matter of three opinions – those held by the people responsible for the opinion pages of The Spokesman-Review. Check in regularly to find out what they’re up to, what they think and where they differ and to joust with them if you want.