Our server costs ~$56 per month to run. Please consider donating or becoming a Patron to help keep the site running. Help us gain new members by following us on Twitter and liking our page on Facebook!
How can an all-powerful (and good) God can allow evil to exist? If God is good, how can he will evil? If he is not good, how is he God? This paradox has perplexed critical thinkers though the ages. For many, it has been a stumbling block to religion. Some believers choose to ignore the problem because of its apparent insolubility.
For the purposes of this discussion, think of God as the Creator. Clearly, the creation is a mix of good and evil. In life, there are joys and sorrows, love and anger. But God is considered to be all good in himself.
Many have said that evil exists, but is not promoted by God. For example, when a person commits a spiteful act, he is drawing evil to himself and God plays no part. Good, on the other hand, is promoted by God so that evil is attributable to the creature and good to God.
Why would an all-powerful God need to "promote" anything? Because people have free will and they can choose to draw near to or away from God. Why would God create people with free will? Because God created people in his own likeness, and God himself has free will.
Thus, one answer to the question, "Why did God create Evil?" begins to take shape. God created a world in which people could act freely- love freely, think freely, create feely. That is, God created a world in which his creation could act like he does. As much is put in the serpent's mouth when he tempts Eve: "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5). In case you think this argument is blasphemous, consider Jesus' words in defense of the charges of blasphemy leveled against him by the Pharisees: "Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS '?" (John 10:34).
Without evil, is there good? No, because the concepts are relative to each other. The presence of evil allows for the manifestation of good, that is, the manifestation of God.
But still, how can God be thought of as all-good given the existence of evil in his creation? Consider the sun. It is the source and sustainer of all life on earth. Because of the sun, people love and have children (without the sun, this could not happen). But also because of the sun, people murder and torture each other. And yet the sun is unquestionably good. God is like the sun, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Mathew 5:45)
<snip>
God did not create evil, where did you get such an idea.
GC
From your fucking bible GC
Isiah 45:7 ring any bells?
If you're not supposed to ride faster than your guardian angel can fly then mine had better get a bloody SR-71.
Because though the inventors of the tales lacked in talent and consistency, they had enough sharp objects with which to dissuade contemporary literary critics.
(January 6, 2014 at 6:15 am)Ryantology Wrote: Because though the inventors of the tales lacked in talent and consistency, they had enough sharp objects with which to dissuade contemporary literary critics.
(January 6, 2014 at 6:15 am)Ryantology Wrote: Because though the inventors of the tales lacked in talent and consistency, they had enough sharp objects with which to dissuade contemporary literary critics.
I wonder how many theists long for the days in which "sharpest blade" counted as an academic credential?
"YOU take the hard look in the mirror. You are everything that is wrong with this world. The only thing important to you, is you." - ronedee
Want to see more of my writing? Check out my (safe for work!) site, Unprotected Sects!
How can an all-powerful (and good) God can allow evil to exist? If God is good, how can he will evil? If he is not good, how is he God? This paradox has perplexed critical thinkers though the ages. For many, it has been a stumbling block to religion. Some believers choose to ignore the problem because of its apparent insolubility.
For the purposes of this discussion, think of God as the Creator. Clearly, the creation is a mix of good and evil. In life, there are joys and sorrows, love and anger. But God is considered to be all good in himself.
Many have said that evil exists, but is not promoted by God. For example, when a person commits a spiteful act, he is drawing evil to himself and God plays no part. Good, on the other hand, is promoted by God so that evil is attributable to the creature and good to God.
Why would an all-powerful God need to "promote" anything? Because people have free will and they can choose to draw near to or away from God. Why would God create people with free will? Because God created people in his own likeness, and God himself has free will.
Thus, one answer to the question, "Why did God create Evil?" begins to take shape. God created a world in which people could act freely- love freely, think freely, create feely. That is, God created a world in which his creation could act like he does. As much is put in the serpent's mouth when he tempts Eve: "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5). In case you think this argument is blasphemous, consider Jesus' words in defense of the charges of blasphemy leveled against him by the Pharisees: "Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS '?" (John 10:34).
Without evil, is there good? No, because the concepts are relative to each other. The presence of evil allows for the manifestation of good, that is, the manifestation of God.
But still, how can God be thought of as all-good given the existence of evil in his creation? Consider the sun. It is the source and sustainer of all life on earth. Because of the sun, people love and have children (without the sun, this could not happen). But also because of the sun, people murder and torture each other. And yet the sun is unquestionably good. God is like the sun, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Mathew 5:45)
<snip>
God did not create evil, where did you get such an idea.
GC
Well, the nicene creed says created all things, seen and unseen. If he didn't, who did?
And don't say "humans". If we were made in Gods image and we have evil in us, it was still Gods work.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
How can an all-powerful (and good) God can allow evil to exist? If God is good, how can he will evil? If he is not good, how is he God? This paradox has perplexed critical thinkers though the ages. For many, it has been a stumbling block to religion. Some believers choose to ignore the problem because of its apparent insolubility.
For the purposes of this discussion, think of God as the Creator. Clearly, the creation is a mix of good and evil. In life, there are joys and sorrows, love and anger. But God is considered to be all good in himself.
Many have said that evil exists, but is not promoted by God. For example, when a person commits a spiteful act, he is drawing evil to himself and God plays no part. Good, on the other hand, is promoted by God so that evil is attributable to the creature and good to God.
Why would an all-powerful God need to "promote" anything? Because people have free will and they can choose to draw near to or away from God. Why would God create people with free will? Because God created people in his own likeness, and God himself has free will.
Thus, one answer to the question, "Why did God create Evil?" begins to take shape. God created a world in which people could act freely- love freely, think freely, create feely. That is, God created a world in which his creation could act like he does. As much is put in the serpent's mouth when he tempts Eve: "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5). In case you think this argument is blasphemous, consider Jesus' words in defense of the charges of blasphemy leveled against him by the Pharisees: "Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS '?" (John 10:34).
Without evil, is there good? No, because the concepts are relative to each other. The presence of evil allows for the manifestation of good, that is, the manifestation of God.
But still, how can God be thought of as all-good given the existence of evil in his creation? Consider the sun. It is the source and sustainer of all life on earth. Because of the sun, people love and have children (without the sun, this could not happen). But also because of the sun, people murder and torture each other. And yet the sun is unquestionably good. God is like the sun, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Mathew 5:45)
<snip>
God did not create evil, where did you get such an idea.
January 6, 2014 at 9:55 am (This post was last modified: January 6, 2014 at 10:06 am by Marvin.)
Quote:Why did God create Evil?
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and God was hopelessly down in a game of monopoly,,, it may have been scrabble... whatever game it was he got pissed, went what is unfairly described as "ape" and tossed the game pieces to the the ground. Evil was created as a concept to encompass hoteliers who caught him on Mayfair, or possibly pedants who questioned his spelling.
Seeing as "sin" is basically anything Yahweh doesn't like, then any free willed person will inevitably "sin". also it can be safely stated that he doesn't "sin", simply because no one can make him do anything he doesn't want to do. So it doesn't really have much to do with good or evil. Just a self centered deity who doesn't like it when people try to live their own lives without him.
Poe's Law: "Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."
How can an all-powerful (and good) God can allow evil to exist? If God is good, how can he will evil? If he is not good, how is he God? This paradox has perplexed critical thinkers though the ages. For many, it has been a stumbling block to religion. Some believers choose to ignore the problem because of its apparent insolubility.
For the purposes of this discussion, think of God as the Creator. Clearly, the creation is a mix of good and evil. In life, there are joys and sorrows, love and anger. But God is considered to be all good in himself.
Many have said that evil exists, but is not promoted by God. For example, when a person commits a spiteful act, he is drawing evil to himself and God plays no part. Good, on the other hand, is promoted by God so that evil is attributable to the creature and good to God.
Why would an all-powerful God need to "promote" anything? Because people have free will and they can choose to draw near to or away from God. Why would God create people with free will? Because God created people in his own likeness, and God himself has free will.
Thus, one answer to the question, "Why did God create Evil?" begins to take shape. God created a world in which people could act freely- love freely, think freely, create feely. That is, God created a world in which his creation could act like he does. As much is put in the serpent's mouth when he tempts Eve: "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5). In case you think this argument is blasphemous, consider Jesus' words in defense of the charges of blasphemy leveled against him by the Pharisees: "Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS '?" (John 10:34).
Without evil, is there good? No, because the concepts are relative to each other. The presence of evil allows for the manifestation of good, that is, the manifestation of God.
But still, how can God be thought of as all-good given the existence of evil in his creation? Consider the sun. It is the source and sustainer of all life on earth. Because of the sun, people love and have children (without the sun, this could not happen). But also because of the sun, people murder and torture each other. And yet the sun is unquestionably good. God is like the sun, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Mathew 5:45)
<snip>
God did not create evil, where did you get such an idea.
![[Image: mybannerglitter06eee094.gif]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i118.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo112%2Fpussinboots_photos%2FBikes%2Fmybannerglitter06eee094.gif)
![[Image: b7wAvWj.png]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i.imgur.com%2Fb7wAvWj.png)
