Is the Empire evil?

Hey guys, I'm still a relative newbie when it comes to 40k. I first became aware of it through 40k Darktide and 40k Chaos Gate and immediately fell in love. What a cool universe with so much lore and cool characters. The first faction I came into contact with, of course, was the Empire and what can I say, I think they're super cool. The Space Marines, Sisters of Battle or the Adeptus Mechanicus simply have something awesome about them.

My friends who have also been involved with 40k keep mentioning that the empire is actually evil and only consists of fascists. That a human life would mean nothing in the Empire, etc., but no matter what game I played or what book I read, the Empire tries everything possible to save people from death?

I mean the empire is not a paradise. Very authoritarian and fanatically religious, but somehow understandable under the circumstances. All in all humanity just trying to survive. At least that's how it seems to me but as I said, I'm still a newbie.

I would be interested in your opinion. you guys are much more familiar with the lore.