The question headlining the column here is a follow-up to the last edition’s recollection of Paul Harvey and his famous 1965 radio essay titled “If I Were the Devil.”

In the aftermath of the publication of my column, I was drawn into thinking about some of the deeper moral and theological questions about the opposing kingdoms of light and darkness.

I felt compelled to find out how common or prevalent the belief in an evil archenemy is.

The most recent statistics that I could find were from a 2023 Gallup poll. That survey showed 74 percent of Americans surveyed believe in God — down from 90 percent in 2001.

As for the Almighty’s opposite number, 58 percent of those polled believe there is a devil, commonly referred to as Satan or Lucifer. That number is down from 71 percent in 2001.

At first glance, at least, it seems the belief in supernatural forces for good and/or evil is declining.

In any case, if there is no supernatural force driving the evil — including the horrible deaths, violence, misery, suffering, sadness, despair and the cycle of grief plaguing the world around us, who or what is responsible for what we see and lament?

These questions and thoughts come in the wake of the terrible story of a murder-suicide in Deltona, recounted in The Beacon two weeks ago. The tragedy touched a close friend of mine, who knew the woman killed before her ex-husband took his own life.

Maybe we should consider a deeper question: Are the bad things happening around us really evil? Are tragic and hurtful events inherently wrong? Dare we classify these acts with the S-word — sin — meaning a deliberate wrong choice of thought and action?

If there is no evil force promoting the murder, mayhem, cheating, lying, stealing and assorted corruption, does this mean that man himself is inherently wicked and so depraved as to be beyond redemption?

As you ponder an answer, consider deeply if there is an ungodly being masterminding the events around us. Are we so relativistic in our thinking as to believe and say that there really is no absolute right and absolute wrong?

The questions and the issues are especially relevant during this holy season of the year, when we remember the trial, death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He gave His life for the redemption of His enemies, as well as His friends, and His sacrifice was based on His belief in absolute truth — that humankind is unregenerate and in need of a Savior.