The problem of evil is, in a nutshell:
An all-good, all-powerful, all-knowing God would not create a universe with so much suffering,
Yet there is a hyper-abundance of needless suffering.
Therefore such a God does not exist.
2007-08-21 06:24:44 · 15 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's all about a balance system. In science, we know there are a positive and a negative. You can't have one, with out the other. That's just the way it is. You don't need God to explain that.
2007-08-21 06:28:42 · answer #1 · answered by Stevo 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I don't believe in evil anymore than I do saintliness. Some people are moral and some people are not. This has to do with many variables. Morality is not the domain of believers alone. I have never felt that "evil" or suffering in the world was proof that god does not exist. That is just not the way I think. Sounds more like an argument from a former believer who has become an atheist. I guess from that standpoint it would make more sense.
2007-08-21 06:33:25 · answer #2 · answered by zero 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could God be "all-good" if there was no evil with which to contrast His goodness? Could God allow suffering to exist in order to enable our free agency? Without said suffering, our free will would be nothing but a mockery, wouldn't it?
If that is the "best argument against theism", then I'd say theists don't have all that much to worry about....
2007-08-21 06:34:23 · answer #3 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats not an argument against theism at all. It presupposes that a god would have to be benign. This is an unreasonable assumption. It is at least as likely that if god existed he would be callous, cruel or simply indifferent.
For instance, it is perfectly plausible to assume god was very bored and so created a universe full of suffering because he enjoys watching it. Then the suffering would not be needless - it would be designed.
2007-08-21 06:32:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't if it has an official name, but I think the best argument against theism is that God(s) changes in characteristics or even appearance from culture to culture. If I hear 1000 different stories about the same thing, why should think any of them are true?
I also think that the anthropomorphic nature that many people ascribe to God is proof that God originates in the imagination of people, most of who aren't very imaginative.
2007-08-21 06:33:25 · answer #5 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best argument against theism is simply the sheer implausibility of the existence of god[s].I've always considered the problem of evil over-rated.
2007-08-21 06:39:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
my question is... how are you so sure such a God would not do just that? My bible says he did. My Bible says that my God made peace and created evil, made light and created darkness. I don't always understand why he did, but he did. Sounds far more just and holy than to only create good and not allow for the opposite... sounds like an inbalanced existance
2007-08-21 06:30:11 · answer #7 · answered by Matthew P (SL) 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best argument against God? It's a personal story.
As I was growing up, I started to have my doubts about God. I mean, I'd been dragged to Church most Sundays, been forced to religious classes. I never really felt connected to God, but I thought I was simply because I was so young.
Well, I figured that it was time to ask God for a bit of help. I never had before, except for that childish prayer for toys (Never worked). So I prayed to him and just said, "Hey, if you're there, I need some help believing in you. Just let me know that you're there and I'll never have another doubt. Talk to me."
He never did.
2007-08-21 06:34:22 · answer #8 · answered by ryoma136 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I disagree...........we cannot know what good may come of evil. And someone who believes in a God believes that God gave us free will, and therefore chosing ungodly paths was the begining of Evil.
We cannot say what is and is not "needless suffering" for there are many who are strengthened through suffering and pain. There are lessons that can be learning. And therefor, even what we THINK is evil....can have a good outcome
2007-08-21 06:32:38 · answer #9 · answered by Sunny And '74 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good and evil are relative terms--"opinions" as one person here put it. In some religions "good" means "hunky-dory" for me and mine. In other religions and in more philosophical and mystical forms of spirituality, "good" means order, balance, and acceptance of the vicissitudes of phenomenal existence and transcendence of ego issues which cause people to look at "good" and "evil" in a very narrow and egotistical way. One can either align oneself with life in a positive and compassionate way to reflect balance, etc. and be in accord with the "divine" will toward affirmation and manifestation or the whole organism of life, so-to-speak, or can be self-serving or chaotic and thus contribute to destructive rather than integrative principles.
I, for one, do not think of God a person. I think of God as the ground reality out of which everything arises as a interdependent , self-consuming mechanism. I do not think that the notions of good and evil establish or negate the existence of "God." I also do not think "God" is responsible for "good" or "evil." People are. Obviously.
2007-08-21 07:54:36 · answer #10 · answered by philosophyangel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is called theodicy. Evil and suffering cast grave doubts about the existence of a personal God that loves each of us, and has a plan for us etc.
2007-08-21 06:30:13 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋