The Problem of Evil
Andrew R.
11/21/12
Phil 300
The Problem of Evil One of the most interesting questions in the world is, “If a God exists, why is there evil in the world?” Most people respond with, “If God created the universe and us, then there should not be evil in the world,” when asked about God or any other powerful being. The problem of evil is also believed to be the cause of Atheism, and I do believe that there is a solution for this. The problem of evil is not a correct argument. The arguments from evil state that if there is a God who is omniscient, omnipotent and perfectly good, then there would be no evil or suffering in the world. Evil does exist, therefore, god does not exist. If God existed, he would not allow evil into the world (VanPatten, lecture). I learned in church that Christianity says God created the world and wants only the best. If these claims are true, then evil should not exist. The problem of evil has been the strongest and longest arguments against the existence of God for Atheists. Atheists believe that if there really was an omniscient, omnipotent and good God or higher being, then he has the power to eliminate all evil and wipe it from the universe. However, Atheists believe that suffering cannot be prevented, therefore, God does not exist to them. The response to this belief is that the existence of evil is necessary for the existence of certain kinds of good (K. Augustine). Augustine gives an example of many character traits that are valuable only if evil exists. One of these traits is self sacrifice. In some writings, self sacrifice is for the greater good. If there was no evil in the world, then this character trait could not exist. God created us in a certain way so we would all form a community and look out for each other. If each of us were self-sufficient and there was no such thing as suffering, then the greater goods that come from this would have never happened (Augustine). Atheists will not change their beliefs
11/21/12
Phil 300
The Problem of Evil One of the most interesting questions in the world is, “If a God exists, why is there evil in the world?” Most people respond with, “If God created the universe and us, then there should not be evil in the world,” when asked about God or any other powerful being. The problem of evil is also believed to be the cause of Atheism, and I do believe that there is a solution for this. The problem of evil is not a correct argument. The arguments from evil state that if there is a God who is omniscient, omnipotent and perfectly good, then there would be no evil or suffering in the world. Evil does exist, therefore, god does not exist. If God existed, he would not allow evil into the world (VanPatten, lecture). I learned in church that Christianity says God created the world and wants only the best. If these claims are true, then evil should not exist. The problem of evil has been the strongest and longest arguments against the existence of God for Atheists. Atheists believe that if there really was an omniscient, omnipotent and good God or higher being, then he has the power to eliminate all evil and wipe it from the universe. However, Atheists believe that suffering cannot be prevented, therefore, God does not exist to them. The response to this belief is that the existence of evil is necessary for the existence of certain kinds of good (K. Augustine). Augustine gives an example of many character traits that are valuable only if evil exists. One of these traits is self sacrifice. In some writings, self sacrifice is for the greater good. If there was no evil in the world, then this character trait could not exist. God created us in a certain way so we would all form a community and look out for each other. If each of us were self-sufficient and there was no such thing as suffering, then the greater goods that come from this would have never happened (Augustine). Atheists will not change their beliefs
Cited: Augustine, Keith. "Evidential Arguments from Evil." The Secular Web. 2007. November 21, 2012. Hubpages. "A solution to the problem of evil: Augustine 's theodicy. “ May 2, 2012. November 21, 2012. Stavies-Stofka, Beth. "Suffering and the Problem of Evil." Patheos Library. November 21, 2012. Lecture Notes-Professor VanPatten WikiPedia. "Problem of Evil." July 2012. November 21, 2012.