In his book The Archetype of Initiation, Robert Moore explores these questions by examining premodern tribal principles considered lost or inaccessible to modern society.
The conflict that arises out of this kind of evil relates more closely to a premodern, mythological notion of evil, summarized by Robert Moore in 10 characteristics.
The consistent factor in premodern times was not the belief in God, but belief in some kind of regenerative power or libidinal energy that could be tapped into for personal and social regeneration.
In premodern Italy, failed business owners, who had outstanding debts, were taken totally naked to the public square where they had to bang their butts against a special stone while a crowd jeered at them.