Evil and suffering contradict existence of god, agree or disagree?

Question

http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/rm.html

Answer 1

I agree. the amount of suffering, especially from things that man has no control over, like earthquakes and hurricanes and tornadoes, is completely incompatible with an all powerful, all knowing, and all good creator.

When a tragedy like a hurricane or something wipes out a town full of religious people it can only leave us three conclusions 1: god did it, and willingly killed loyal servants, 2: god either didnt know it was going to happen or couldnt stop it or both, and 3: there is no god and crappy things just happen.

To me, rather than believe in an evil, murderous god (1) or an ignorant and powerless god(2) I would rather just accept that there is not a god (3) and do my best to help people that need it when unfortunate tragedies happen.

Answer 2

Disagree

DEFINE "EVIL".

"Evil" has to be defined according to some standard. What is your standard?

Example #1: The Bible says that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) The standard is the glory of God. When compared to that standard, we ALL fall short.

Example #2; The Bible says that "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4) There is sin ("evil"), therefore, there must be a law that has been transgressed.

When an atheist, therefore, says that there is "evil', therefore there is no God, the first thing he MUST do is define "evil"!

If "evil" (sin) is just a function of the human mind (likes/dislikes, desires, feelings, etc.), then this proves nothing about whether there is a God.

For example, if a person thinks it is wrong (evil, a sin) to wear a red shirt, and they see me with a red shirt on, they may say "There is evil, therefore I know there is no God!"

I may then walk around the corner and someone else, who thinks it is good to wear a red shirt may see me. That person may say, "Look how much good is in the world. Such good can only come from God, therefore, I know there is a God!"

Neither person has proven anything about the existence of God, because their idea of good or evil is simply based on the desires of a human (or a group of humans, or even a nation of humans). They have no more than human standards by which to compare.

But, if there is a standard of comparison to determine what is good or evil that transcends human desires, then there is proof about God!

If there are things that are inherently evil, then there must be a standard by which this is compared that also transcends the human mind, a higher law! Things that are inherently evil mean that there are also things that are inherently good.

This being the case, the logical statement should be, "there is evil in the world (that transcends human desires), therefore I KNOW THAT GOD EXISTS!"

The true atheist cannot recognize a standard (either evil or good) above the human mind. This being the case, he has no argument other than "There is evil in the world because some human doesn't like so-and-so..." He has nothing that would disprove God because he does not recognize a higher standard.

Such a standard cannot say that anything is wrong. The Nazi system was not wrong because they were following German law when they tortured and killed children, women and men. They were doing what their law said was right and good. They were not subject to the laws of England or the United States. They were subject to German law. If no higher law exists, then we cannot say they were wrong.

If a higher law does exist, then there is an argument for a source of that law. Where there is a law, there must be a law giver, a source of authority.

(By the way, just because God has not yet eliminated evil, that does not mean that He will not and cannot!)

As for suffering, many times suffering is a result of evil. Some would contend that all suffering is either directly or indirectly related to evil.

But not all suffering is in and of itself evil.

For example, childbirth is painful. There is suffering in giving birth, but not many would call this event evil!

Sometimes we don't understand why there is suffering. Our lack of understanding, however does not make it evil.

Suffering and death are part of life. Many times suffering makes us stronger in the end. Death is a moving from this life to the afterlife. Can you imagine if no one ever died? It would not be long before the Earth could not hald all of the people. Even death of itself is not evil.

In fact, death is the way we leave this life to go be with God, if we have been faithful to Him. In this way, death is good!

Anyway, death, suffering, and evil in no way contradict the existence of God.

Answer 3

Disagree. Evil and suffering neither contradict nor agree with the existence of God. If you believe in God and he created everything, surely he created evil and suffering?

Answer 4

Evil and suffering does not contradict the existence of God.

God has not and can not be proved or disproved to actually exist. Evil and suffering are the consequences of reality and of that which lives. Evil and suffering can be proved to actually exist, such can not be said of any God whatsoever.

Have a pleasant day.

Answer 5

No, those things only contradict your view of God. Evil and suffering are the challenges in which God test us with. One day you will have to realize that no matter how messed up the world may seem sometimes, that the intent was good and most of it is positive. It is just your perception that is out of focus.

Answer 6

Disagree. The Bible shows a lot of evil in the world because it is a fallen world. It also shows the way to overcome evil with good.

Answer 7

I thoroughly agree. I agree because of the fact I make it a area of my existence to constantly make human beings count. no count the place i'm or what i'm doing I constantly have my telephone on vibrate or ring so i could be there for my pals.

Answer 8

What is unreal cannot contradict what is real...nothing unreal exists. Contradictions come from our desire to be someone other than God's beloved. This we have done, but it is illusion (thus, we have done nothing); there are no contradictions, no degrees (moods) to God. God is perfect love, peace, calm.

Answer 9

disagree. If you want to get really technical, it actually confirms the existence of God.

Answer 10

disagree - in the old testament god was always dishing out some wrath and vegeance as a learning tool. wish he'd get back on that bandwagon nowadays...