How would you answer the "evil is the absence of God"?

Question

quote that compares God and evil to the physics of heat and cold or light and darkness? (As in evil is the absence of God; cold is the absence of heat; and darkness is the absence of light). Something about that comparison just sounds wrong, but I can't quite put my finger on it. (I did not do too well in physics-related classes. Physical science was my worst grade in college. I find it interesting, but have a mental block for some reason)

Answer 1

I say evil is merely the absence of wisdom. Obviously if a person is aware (truly aware) of why his wrongdoing is wrong, he wouldn't be doing it. What we call evil is a form of stupidity or ignorance. The only thing that can negate evil is knowledge.

Answer 2

Maybe it doesn't sound right because it's not the obvious opposite word. 'Evil is the absence of good' sounds better to me (good=God). It's almost like saying evil doesn't actually exist, all it is is the absence of God. There is no such thing as cold without the original existence of heat. Something is only cold if you remove the heat. Something is only evil if you remove God. Darkness does not exist, it is just a word for the nothingness which is left when you remove light.

I don't know how else to explain it.

Answer 3

Both Evil and Good are relative to every individual. Star Wars 1, 2, and 3 showed this very well. The Jedi showed no love an emotion to their family because they had faith in the afterlife and their side of the force. This made them look evil to people like Aniken or Vader. The syth help on to their loved ones and would do anything to keep them alive even at the sacrifice of self and others. This made them look evil to others even when they thought they where going the right thing like Ankin or Vadar.

Answer 4

Your right, there is something very wrong with this comparison, in the attempt of philosophical arguing and disproving the existence of God, plays on words have become increasingly popular. The bottom line however is that you must keep into context what you are talking about.

Whatever your definition of God might be, it is clear that it is something beyond the physical realm. You cant see god or go to the movies with him, so why would you attempt to explain god using natural physical laws. The rules of the physical world do not apply to God, just like the gravitational rules of jupiter dont apply to you.

Additionally you must ponder on the meaning of evil? What is evil? If something happens which we consider "bad", later to find out it was for a much greater good...was it evil? who are we to determine what is right and wrong because it is not to our liking? The universe (or God if you prefer) works in ways beyond human understanding. Plays on words like the one above are just that, words.

Answer 5

The argument is the only one that is logically consistent with both the appearance of evil and the idea hat God is an infinitely good creator. If we take God to simply mean 'existence', then evil is the consequence of something absent that properly belongs to some phenomenon, such as a wound being a lack of flesh.

Most theists believe they exist as separate entities from God (though perhaps allowing God into their being by choice), so this argument would make them entirely evil, and thus entirely non-existent. This may be what strikes you as "wrong" in the argument. This is one of the holes in Abrahamic theology.

Answer 6

I don't know where the quote comes from. It is an interesting quote. I often reflect that even evil can only be accomplished with the gifts of God. God gives us life, first of all, and intelligence and imagination. When these things are used for evil they betray their purpose. Humans are capable of doing great good, and those that do are an inspiration to us all. I often find that those who accuse God of doing or being evil often do little themselves to alleviate the suffering of others. I also see many irreligious people who accuse others of being judgemental. I wonder if they realize that they are actually themselves passing judgement? I wish so much that people would listen to these words: 'Don't judge, so that you won't be judged— for the measure you measure out will be used to measure you.' (Matt7:1&2) and 'No good tree produces produces bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. Figs aren't picked from thorn bushes, nor grapes from a briar patch. The good person produces good things from the store of good things in his heart, while the evil person produces evil things from the evil in his heart. For the mouth speaks what overflows from the heart.' (Luke 6:43-45)

Answer 7

God is All That Is, in and through and as all creation. God cannot be absent: evil is the absence of God. Since God cannot be absent, evil does not exist.

Answer 8

We all have evil in us because we were born in sin because of Adam. I do not know if you believe in Adam and Eve but if you do that is the reason. We have free will to choose good or bad. As a matter of fact that was the name of the tree which Eve ate from. God once said to the Isralites stop sinning and live. There is much more but I am not sure if you are interested.
Hope I helped

Answer 9

evil is not the absnce of god, because there are plenty of evil people and evil actions going on now and throughout history, and God has not been and is not absent now. i would say evil with no hope of intervention is the absence of God

Answer 10

I'm with you, it doesn't ring true in my ears. Evil is such a heavy word. Darkness, void, emptiness, yes all of those things apply, but I don't know about evil. I doubt that's something God would say.