Christians, did Yahweh create evil?

it's not a 'perception' of your god using clumsy and cruel methods, it's your god using clumsy and cruel methods. the contortions you must engage in to reach a place where you can even think about debating this defy comprehension.

further, if you're trying to say there is a third option (for judgement) beyond intellectual and emotional, then I suspect you're referring to that used by victims of Stockholm Syndrome. ie, not judging at all (unless it's positive).

 

Simple answers.
Yes He created evil.
Why?
Because it is one of the tools that He fabricated for the use of mankind. At the same time, He gave mankind the ability of free will and allows mankind to use the tools that mankind chooses to use. Just like you desiring to see "alternative" theories on why, God also wants to see mankind exercise the alternative to evil... which would be 'not evil'.

 

okay, good. we can move to the next question: did god plan everything that would ever happen?