Problem of Evil Revisited

[idav]

The problem of evil is often presented as logic and reasoning for a non-benevolent God. I know it's a pretty common argument on these forums so I will be brief. I have always reconciled the problem of evil by seeing God and humans as a father child relationship of unconditional love. In the case of unconditional love, can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due non-favoritism?

Has anyone seen the movie The Shack? Well this movie uses that argument as a man struggles with faith after losing thier youngest to a human monster. It uses a horrific example to address the problem of evil so if anyone has seen the movie, that's the kind of context I'm looking for. Why would God allow such horrible atrocities?

 

[PureX]

The problem of evil is often presented as logic and reasoning for a non-benevolent God. I know it's a pretty common argument on these forums so I will be brief. I have always reconciled the problem of evil by seeing God and humans as a father child relationship of unconditional love. In the case of unconditional love, can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due non-favoritism?

Has anyone seen the movie The Shack? Well this movie uses that argument as a man struggles with faith after losing thier youngest to a human monster. It uses a horrific example to address the problem of evil so if anyone has seen the movie, that's the kind of context I'm looking for. Why would God allow such horrible atrocities?

Why do WE? Why are we blaming God for our moral failures, and our crimes against each other? Why are we expecting God to do for us what we are not even willing to do for ourselves?

 

[Tmac]

Why do WE? Why are we blaming God for our moral failures, and our crimes against each other? Why are we expecting God to do for us what we are not even willing to do for ourselves?

I'd say that it is rooted in our early understanding of life Our parents must have done too much for us and we got use it? God is just a step up.

 

[Tmac]

The problem of evil is often presented as logic and reasoning for a non-benevolent God. I know it's a pretty common argument on these forums so I will be brief. I have always reconciled the problem of evil by seeing God and humans as a father child relationship of unconditional love. In the case of unconditional love, can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due non-favoritism?

Has anyone seen the movie The Shack? Well this movie uses that argument as a man struggles with faith after losing thier youngest to a human monster. It uses a horrific example to address the problem of evil so if anyone has seen the movie, that's the kind of context I'm looking for. Why would God allow such horrible atrocities?

Question? Was the person is this movie, making their love for their youngest more important than their love of their God? Were they not violating the 1st commandment? Didn't see the movie but other's like it.

 

[Stevicus]

The problem of evil is often presented as logic and reasoning for a non-benevolent God. I know it's a pretty common argument on these forums so I will be brief. I have always reconciled the problem of evil by seeing God and humans as a father child relationship of unconditional love. In the case of unconditional love, can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due non-favoritism?

Has anyone seen the movie The Shack? Well this movie uses that argument as a man struggles with faith after losing thier youngest to a human monster. It uses a horrific example to address the problem of evil so if anyone has seen the movie, that's the kind of context I'm looking for. Why would God allow such horrible atrocities?

I suppose any number of answers are possible, depending on whether or not one believes in God. Sometimes, it's easier to accept that things just happen without any particular outside force or influence. If one believes there is no afterlife, no god, no punishment for our "sins" and that life is utterly devoid of meaning or purpose, then it's easier to take life as not so serious or important. Even "evil" becomes meaningless, since we're really just animals (aka "human monsters") functioning on instinct as best we can.

If there is a God, and if we hold to the assumption that God has a divine plan and that "everything happens for a reason," then it might change one's perspective. Some people automatically assume that "God is good," but even that may not be the case. What if God is evil? That would solve the "problem of evil" rather easily.

The only reason there is a "problem of evil" is because people assume not only that "God exists," but also that "God is good." But we don't really know that God exists, and even if he does, we don't know that he is "good."

 

[Silverscale derg]

The problem of evil is often presented as logic and reasoning for a non-benevolent God. I know it's a pretty common argument on these forums so I will be brief. I have always reconciled the problem of evil by seeing God and humans as a father child relationship of unconditional love. In the case of unconditional love, can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due non-favoritism?

Has anyone seen the movie The Shack? Well this movie uses that argument as a man struggles with faith after losing thier youngest to a human monster. It uses a horrific example to address the problem of evil so if anyone has seen the movie, that's the kind of context I'm looking for. Why would God allow such horrible atrocities?

Evil needs good, good needs evil. Dragonkind knows both sides, the bloodlust we suffer, and the good we aim to cause. We are peaceful, or at least as peaceful as we can be. We only kill what we eat, we don't eat humans, we eat one warm blooded creature. All life is important. To me the god you refer to, the one of the bible is the evil one. For one they ate the fruit of knowing yet that was a sin, to have your mind opened to the truth is something a dictator would do. For example it would be like having a tree in north korea...one tree that one doesn't eat from, the one that shows the truth. Lucifer the serpent got eve to eat the fruit for the reason that she, and adam should know the truth. That's one point of evil. Next point comes from the flood. Adam and eve were made "perfect" and "in gods image" yet when some worshiped the earth as they quite honestly should be doing because then it would respect life of all instead of just humans. He killed millions in the flood yet when lucifer disagreed with him he got kicked out of heaven and now is called evil, and the devil.

To me all humans have tendencies of being a monster, some suppress it quite well yet others turn to hunting for fun to let off their monster tendencies. Sure hunt a deer for food but don't hunt a wolf because it kills deer, or coyote. I don't care if they're from Canada, the native wolves were killed off.

 

[Stevicus]

Why do WE? Why are we blaming God for our moral failures, and our crimes against each other? Why are we expecting God to do for us what we are not even willing to do for ourselves?

Because there is a random element of probability at work, sometimes referred to as "luck." What "we" might expect from God is to at least make things fair - a level playing field. If it appears that "evil" has an unfair advantage over "good," then it may appear to some that God is stacking the deck deliberately so that "evil" will triumph.

It's just like what Reverend Scott said in The Poseidon Adventure, when he was in a prayer rant against God: "We're not asking you to fight for us, but dammit don't fight against us! Leave us alone!"

 

[Jumi]

The problem of evil is only a problem for people who think God is all-good and all-powerful.

 

[idav]

Question? Was the person is this movie, making their love for their youngest more important than their love of their God? Were they not violating the 1st commandment? Didn't see the movie but other's like it.

Yes the guy was hating God for allowing such a terrible tragedy fall on an innocent. He was losing faith big time.

 

[idav]

Why do WE? Why are we blaming God for our moral failures, and our crimes against each other? Why are we expecting God to do for us what we are not even willing to do for ourselves?

There are good people out there that are more than willing to devote 100% to god, only to find corruption and evil coming from a supposed benevolent God, or more of an apathetic God.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

The problem of evil is only a problem for people who think God is all-good and all-powerful.

I'd like to reiterate this. This is a fine argument against a god claim, but only when the specific god in question has those specific properties.

For all other God claims, this argument wouldn't apply.

I suppose any number of answers are possible, depending on whether or not one believes in God. Sometimes, it's easier to accept that things just happen without any particular outside force or influence. If one believes there is no afterlife, no god, no punishment for our "sins" and that life is utterly devoid of meaning or purpose, then it's easier to take life as not so serious or important. Even "evil" becomes meaningless, since we're really just animals (aka "human monsters") functioning on instinct as best we can.

Well, I agree with the first part. If you don't believe in a "good" "powerful" god, you don't have to engage in the mental gymnastics that justifies it in the face of natural evil.

But I happen to think life without a god actually makes life more important, and more valuable. . . not sure where you made that leap, but I'll point out it such a sentiment isn't universally shared, or concluded, by all atheists.

 

[Muslim-UK]

There are good people out there that are more than willing to devote 100% to god, only to find corruption and evil coming from a supposed benevolent God, or more of an apathetic God.

The vast majority of people devoting 100% to GOD know this life is but a short test, and the Soul will be given new garments and live for eternity in bliss. The evil in the World is from man's use of free will, but every action has a consequence and GOD is fully aware of what every soul does whilst here on Earth. We all return to be judged, and should be fearful of that day, a day when the defenceless, voiceless and oppressed will be heard loud and clear.

 

[idav]

The problem of evil is only a problem for people who think God is all-good and all-powerful.

It is a problem for a god that would create autonomous beings in the first place. What would be the purpose other than love? Unless god should be seen as a sadist, it is a problem for theism.

 

[idav]

The vast majority of people devoting 100% to GOD know this life is but a short test, and the Soul will be given new garments and live for eternity in bliss. The evil in the World is from man's use of free will, but every action has a consequence and GOD is fully aware of what every soul does whilst here on Earth. We all return to be judged, and should be fearful of that day, a day when the defenceless, voiceless and oppressed will be heard loud and clear.

In such a scenario people would inevitably be judged for things they have no control over due to the corruption of the world. The only fair way to allow judgement like that would be to give every single human the Adam and Eve choice.

 

[`mud]

thinking of your 1st post......thought prossection needed.
but...the sentence: "In the case of unconditional love,
can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due non-favoritism?"
or
In the case of unconditional love,
can it be said that God would necessarily allow evil due to non-favoritism?
if that's true; I'll have to think about it ......in case....a ten......I think !

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Why do WE? Why are we blaming God for our moral failures, and our crimes against each other? Why are we expecting God to do for us what we are not even willing to do for ourselves?

Generally, the Problem of Evil is brought up by people who aren't blaming God for humanity's failures.

 

[Stevicus]

I'd like to reiterate this. This is a fine argument against a god claim, but only when the specific god in question has those specific properties.

For all other God claims, this argument wouldn't apply.



Well, I agree with the first part. If you don't believe in a "good" "powerful" god, you don't have to engage in the mental gymnastics that justifies it in the face of natural evil.

But I happen to think life without a god actually makes life more important, and more valuable. . . not sure where you made that leap, but I'll point out it such a sentiment isn't universally shared, or concluded, by all atheists.

Life may be more important and valuable to us, since we"re alive and have a motivated self interest. But in the grand scheme of things, considering that we're on a rock inside a bubble of air floating through a vast universe, we really are rather small and insignificant by comparison.

We know our lives are finite. There are no prizes or rewards with death. Just like dead flies on a windowsill.

 

[Tmac]

Life may be more important and valuable to us, since we"re alive and have a motivated self interest. But in the grand scheme of things, considering that we're on a rock inside a bubble of air floating through a vast universe, we really are rather small and insignificant by comparison.

We know our lives are finite. There are no prizes or rewards with death. Just like dead flies on a windowsill.

And yet we have the ability to imagine. I hope the dead fly can as well.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Life may be more important and valuable to us, since we"re alive and have a motivated self interest. But in the grand scheme of things, considering that we're on a rock inside a bubble of air floating through a vast universe, we really are rather small and insignificant by comparison.

We know our lives are finite. There are no prizes or rewards with death. Just like dead flies on a windowsill.

Perfectly said, except the last sentence. I would say:

We know our lives are finite. There are no prizes or rewards with death. Just like the impermenant beauty of a shooting star traveling across the night sky.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It uses a horrific example to address the problem of evil so if anyone has seen the movie, that's the kind of context I'm looking for. Why would God allow such horrible atrocities?

The book of Job and the Shoah did not provide a sufficiently horrific context? Seriously? Good grief ...