RE: The logical consequences of omnipotence
January 13, 2013 at 3:41 pm
(This post was last modified: January 13, 2013 at 3:43 pm by killybob.)
Having once been a fervent Christian believer, I can confirm that the majority of Christians at least (I'm not entirely sure about the standpoint of other mainstream belief systems), firmly believe that their God is omnipotent. And, as you've stated, there are many significant moral issues with the all powerful, all encompassing God figure.
However, I would put forward an additional issue with such a concept as omnipotence that theists must overcome - perhaps the largest (and most un-thought of) problem with this idea is the fact that all manner of paradoxes can, and do, ensue. For example, can this God create a rock too heavy for him to lift? Or can he create a prison from which he can't escape? Would he be able to invent a puzzle that he himself cannot solve? The list goes on perhaps endlessly.
This problem with the concept of omnipotence renders it useless and nonsensical. It does not conform to any logic, and exists, rather like infinity, as a mere concept and nothing else. As much one cannot count to infinity, one cannot EVER be omnipotent, not God, not anyone.
Anyway, assuming God was SO omnipotent that he could overcome these paradoxes (lol) then, as you proposed, the only reason for all this pointless suffering would either be due to his cold indifference, or pure malevolence.
However, I would put forward an additional issue with such a concept as omnipotence that theists must overcome - perhaps the largest (and most un-thought of) problem with this idea is the fact that all manner of paradoxes can, and do, ensue. For example, can this God create a rock too heavy for him to lift? Or can he create a prison from which he can't escape? Would he be able to invent a puzzle that he himself cannot solve? The list goes on perhaps endlessly.
This problem with the concept of omnipotence renders it useless and nonsensical. It does not conform to any logic, and exists, rather like infinity, as a mere concept and nothing else. As much one cannot count to infinity, one cannot EVER be omnipotent, not God, not anyone.
Anyway, assuming God was SO omnipotent that he could overcome these paradoxes (lol) then, as you proposed, the only reason for all this pointless suffering would either be due to his cold indifference, or pure malevolence.
