"Why does God allow wickedness?"

columbus · Jan 9, 2016

Neo Deist said:
If God intervened, it would no longer be free will.

Not necessarily. The more information we have the freer we are to choose. An uninformed choice is a shot in the dark. A well informed choice is a free choice.
Since we are born ignorant and fearful, with a batch of instincts nearly identical to any other great ape, we are doomed to make a lot of very poor choices. AKA immoral behavior. We were designed that way, to the extent we were designed at all.
Tom

Neo Deist · Jan 9, 2016

If I make a choice, and God intervenes to change the outcome, that is no longer free will.

midopafo · Jan 21, 2016

Hockeycowboy said:
Are there reasons why God, for the most part, has stayed out of human affairs?

Yes. This link may answer some questions, I certainly learned from it:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989277#h=8:0-22:384

Any further questions, I'll try to answer them.

Here is another article, I learned from:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102002067

This wickedness of our awareness, not of course the torrent of filth allowed to test man. Of course not, who would think that God would be testing us with our human affairs ! Perish the thought and let presumption rule the day

Skwim · Jan 21, 2016

midopafo said:
This wickedness of our awareness, not of course the torrent of filth allowed to test man. Of course not, who would think that God would be testing us with our human affairs ! Perish the thought and let presumption rule the day

Whaaa????????????

Neo Deist · Jan 21, 2016

Tumah said:
Here's another interesting article on that site.
Question Box - Online Library

I've read that article before. Basically the JW's governing body is telling them to stay off the internet. They can't have their followers learning the truth and leaving the fold.

Aiviu · Jan 21, 2016

With what He had given us, He had to allow us.

RRex · Jan 21, 2016

Why does God allow wickedness?

As a Deist, albeit a shaky one, I believe the Supreme entity created all then sat back to watch.

I absolutely believe in evil. I've seen it at work. It may be a Satan-like creature created by the Supreme being or it may be man's wickedness made manifest. I don't know.

On the other hand, I sometimes feel that life is scripted, so I'm not firm in my beliefs as a Deist.

But evil is definitely out there. I've seen it in human form. Etheric? Able to assume any shape?

Quite possibly.

Forgot to specifically answer the OP's question.

I think the Supreme being wants to see what we will do in the face of adversity.

I also think he/she/it is a serious sadist.

NewChapter · Feb 17, 2016

Hockeycowboy said:
Are there reasons why God, for the most part, has stayed out of human affairs?

Yes. This link may answer some questions, I certainly learned from it:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989277#h=8:0-22:384

Any further questions, I'll try to answer them.

Here is another article, I learned from:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102002067

God grants us freedom I believe because one wants freedom for anyone or anything that that one loves.

RRex · Feb 17, 2016

Why does God allow wickedness?

Chiming in again -

Answer - Because he doesn't care. He only wants to spectate. Personally, I think he revels in failure, negativity, and pain.

Guy Threepwood · Feb 17, 2016

Carlita said:
Actually, I have questions.

Do you believe that god allowed evil and his reasons are justifable?

If they are justifable, can you come to that conclusion through your innerself and not hearsay (any peron believer or not) or readsay (any thing from scriptures to articles)?

free will, we both have it,

And yes, we can simply ask ourselves; do we wish to be good? And can we ever be truly good in any meaningful way- if we literally had no option to do otherwise?

Hockeycowboy · Feb 17, 2016

RRex said:
Chiming in again -

Answer - Because he doesn't care. He only wants to spectate. Personally, I think he revels in failure, negativity, and pain.

If that's the case, He wouldn't have provided a book, detailing how we should act and treat others, which, if we follow, helps us build strong families and relationships, and keeps us healthy. Compare Philippians 2:2-4; Acts of the Apostles 15:28-29; Ephesians 4:31-32; Ephesians 5:28-33. Many others that are practical.

So, He did not entire leave those who want to listen to Him as their Father.

RRex · Feb 17, 2016

Hockeycowboy said:
He wouldn't have provided a book,

It is a book written by men and you cannot prove otherwise. Belief in its contents is based strictly on faith.

Guy Threepwood · Feb 17, 2016

RRex said:
It is a book written by men and you cannot prove otherwise. Belief in its contents is based strictly on faith.

Faith is important to acknowledge, whatever our beliefs. But credit where it's due, the Bible's predictive ability is fairly compelling to most.

RRex · Feb 17, 2016

Guy Threepwood said:
Faith is important to acknowledge, whatever our beliefs. But credit where it's due, the Bible's predictive ability is fairly compelling to most.

What did it predict?

Unveiled Artist · Feb 17, 2016

Guy Threepwood said:
free will, we both have it,

And yes, we can simply ask ourselves; do we wish to be good? And can we ever be truly good in any meaningful way- if we literally had no option to do otherwise?

We can how can we not? We would (sorry: wouldnt be) be robots unless god dictated how you should be good rather than making your gift to god; that sounds more meaningful

jeager106 · Feb 17, 2016

Carlita said:
We can how can we not? We would be robots unless god dictated how you should be good rather than making your gift to god; that sounds more meaningful

It's clear to me that the God of my understanding did NOT want automatons to do His
bidding with NO other choice to make.
I feel that God wanted willful obedience because such was best for mankind that
willfully worshiped God as the Creator and Supreme Being who wants the BEST
WILLFUL behavior from His children.
As parents do we not ALL want our children to mimic our BEST behavior to greet
the world when they are responsible adults????
We are NOT God but those that worship the God of their understanding want our
children to mimic our BEST behavior. (though we all fall short)

Guy Threepwood · Feb 17, 2016

Carlita said:
We can how can we not? We would (sorry: wouldnt be) be robots unless god dictated how you should be good rather than making your gift to god; that sounds more meaningful

I would agree with Jaeger- put yourself in God's shoes - (to the small extent that we can)- would we plant a chip in our child's head which forced them to do good? (tempting sometimes maybe!) or would we prefer that they learn, know the difference, and chose good for themselves? which is the greater gift?

Guy Threepwood · Feb 17, 2016

RRex said:
What did it predict?

A lot of things and some resonate more with different people than others.

But from the widest perspective, the greatest questions of all:

The very first page talks about the universe being created in a specific unique creation event. Something atheists scoffed at as 'religious pseudoscience' and 'big bang' until it was proven beyond most doubt.

It said life appeared in sudden distinct stages, not smooth gradual arbitrary increments, again something becoming increasingly clear

It tells us the universe was created primarily for our benefit, and we hear nothing but the 'great silence' from beyond Earth, not a galaxy teaming with ETs

Hockeycowboy · Feb 17, 2016

Guy Threepwood said:
A lot of things and some resonate more with different people than others.

But from the widest perspective, the greatest questions of all:

The very first page talks about the universe being created in a specific unique creation event. Something atheists scoffed at as 'religious pseudoscience' and 'big bang' until it was proven beyond most doubt.

It said life appeared in sudden distinct stages, not smooth gradual arbitrary increments, again something becoming increasingly clear

It tells us the universe was created primarily for our benefit, and we hear nothing but the 'great silence' from beyond Earth, not a galaxy teaming with ETs

"It tells us the universe was created primarily for our benefit, and we hear nothing but the 'great silence' from beyond Earth, not a galaxy teaming with ETs"

Actually, for us, and the Angels!! Certainly, Jehovah wanted them to enjoy life, giving them things to see and explore! Someday, maybe, we will be able to "get out there", also.

(When you think about it, Angels are ET's!)

RRex · Feb 17, 2016

Guy Threepwood said:
1) A lot of things and some resonate more with different people than others.

But from the widest perspective, the greatest questions of all:

The very first page talks about 2) the universe being created in a specific unique creation event. Something atheists scoffed at as 'religious pseudoscience' and 'big bang' until it was proven beyond most doubt.

It said 3) life appeared in sudden distinct stages, not smooth gradual arbitrary increments, again something becoming increasingly clear

It tells us 4) the universe was created primarily for our benefit, and we hear nothing but the 'great silence' from beyond Earth, not a galaxy teaming with ETs

1. Like what? Please provide specific examples.

2. That's not exactly a prediction. It's obvious what happened. The universe came into existence at some point. The Bible didn't invent it and it didn't predict it because of when it was written.

3. Please provide evidence of this. Even if it is true, the Bible did not predict it because of when it was written.

4. Says who? One book, the veracity of which is in question because it was written by men.

And . . .

I don't believe in the Big Bang Theory.

I think there's a good reason for the silence.

"Why does God allow wickedness?"

yawn <ignore> yawn

Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.

Member

Veteran Member

Th.D. & D.Div. h.c.

Active Member

Active Member

GiveMeATicketToWork

Active Member

Mighty Pirate

Witness for Jehovah

Active Member

Mighty Pirate

Active Member

Veteran Member

Learning more about Jehovah.

Mighty Pirate

Mighty Pirate

Witness for Jehovah

Active Member