"Is god willing to prevent evil but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him god?"
--Epicurus (341-270 BCE)
2006-09-04 05:12:16 · 23 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Rational. This you know goes over most peoples heads, like all those who say it was because he didn't know the true God. Epicurus was born before the true God, lol. It is further evidence that though we have better toys and tech today we have not grown intellectually along with our tech. I think this make humans dangerous in the extreme. Religion give power over people but reason doesn't, they knew it then and we don't know it now.
Great Question, I could right a book on it. lol
2006-09-04 05:21:55 · answer #1 · answered by spider 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Strange coming from Epicurus since the Greeks of his time were polytheistic, not monotheistic. I found a reference to the quote from David Hume's "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" (see source web link below).
As to the logic contained in the quote, well, that's why I'm agnostic, leaning towards atheism. I don't know of any religion claiming an omnipotent and loving God that adequately answers those questions.
Maybe a religion would do better to lower its estimations of the powers of its God(s). Then it wouldn't have to also take responsibility for all the evil in the world.
Barbara M, in the post after mine, had a good answer, but it does not resolve the end of the quote, "then why call him God?" I think the implication is that the idea of "God" in most religions presupposes a control over the environment. The God she describes is really not a God in the classic sense. A God who never interferes, then, is not a God with any control over our lives or our destiny.
Barbara M's theory works fine unless she also attributes good results to God's intervention. Then we have to ask again, why did he not intervene in other instances? There's the rub.
2006-09-04 05:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by mangoandindianajones 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Interesting quote worthy of thought. The answer is it depends on your perspective.
According to God's nature he is neither willing nor able because God values freewill.
According to God's power (s)he could control anything, but if God did so, it would go against this value.
God does not want puppets, but rather desires free thinking beings capable of spiritual growth whom over time chose to close to The Divine..
2006-09-04 05:22:37 · answer #3 · answered by Love of Truth 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good point, but I see the believers try to brush it aside with mindless drivel they repeat like parrots...and with no more understanding than a parrot of what they utter. Such wisdom is over their heads. Who are we to judge God? What we hear is what men claim God said. I judge everything I hear, for I have logic. Do you make a contract with someone and not judge him if he cheats you? Not if you have logic! I do not blindly trust someone with whom I do business, much less someone who claims to say what will happen after death. If these people will trust me as much as they do preachers, I can offer them a nice red bridge that was built 1933-1937 and connects San Francisco with Marin County. I ask only half of what preachers do.
2006-09-04 05:27:35 · answer #4 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God inadvertently but knowingly created evil.
Everything in existence has to have two sides to function... Even humanity, angels, life, math, science and well... everything. The eastern religions and philosophies understand the concept of Yin and yang and they don't gasp in horror whenever someone says something like this, like the Christians do.
He knew what he was doing then and still does now.
2006-09-04 05:19:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God, in my view, is willing and able to prevent evil. However, he/she/it/they (whatever term you want to use) is/am/are ultimate creativity. Creativity must allow for choice. Therefore, God allows choice. With choice came the creation of evil. You should watch "The Matrix" trilogy.
Loved your question ! :)
2006-09-04 06:10:07 · answer #6 · answered by Dianna P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is an argument against god that has been around for a long time. Epicurus and Democritus were probably the only two atheists that are famous from greek times.
2006-09-04 05:19:04 · answer #7 · answered by locomexican89 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God created us with free will, so any evil we choose to do is on us. It may seem harsh but thats the way we choose to live our life. We okay everything that this society says is good, but not the words of God. We rebel Him. God is able and willing but will not invade our free will. He ask that we choose Him, however we don't. If my people would humble themselves and pray I will hear them and I will heal the land.Evil cometh out of the heart of man which chooses to convey himself to doing evil.
2006-09-04 05:29:18 · answer #8 · answered by laidy d 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
God can prevent evil. God is all knowing and all powerful.
God has given man a FREE WILL. God allows man to choose between good and evil. Ultimately, God will hold man accountable for his evil actions because the Bible clearly specifies what behavior is good, righteous and acceptable and what behavior is unrighteous, bad and evil.
Sort of like our legal system. You can choose to follow the law or break the law. However, if you break the law you will be held accountable! What good will it do if God "strong-arms" man? Man must choose to follow God willingly. (Free will)
2006-09-04 05:18:58 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara M 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it's bull, g-d is both able and willing but he leave the choice to the human man to decide if he wants to be evil or not, he is willing to prevent evil when he sees that the people deserve it, or when we pray real hard and ask for his help and guidance.
2006-09-04 05:17:16 · answer #10 · answered by yafit k 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋