RE: The Problem of Evil, Christians, and Inconsistency
September 24, 2014 at 1:38 am
(This post was last modified: September 24, 2014 at 2:07 am by genkaus.)
(August 27, 2014 at 9:36 pm)Dolorian Wrote: I never found the free will defence persuasive, even as a Catholic. I always argued along the lines that our choosing to do evil was not an integral part of our free will but an abuse of it, indeed, our will does not becomes more limited in Heaven but rather, it is truly freed as we are no longer under concupiscence, sin and the limitations of this material world and can truly appreciate and embrace the good. While God indeed could have created a better world, this was the world he saw fit to create for the unfolding of his will, the plan he has for us (this lack of context is something I think the possible worlds talk seems to miss). He could certainly stop any sort of evil that occurs today but he permits it for the sake of a greater good which would not come about otherwise. This last bit is, of course, something that is taken on faith by believers.
Bolding mine.
This seems like a long-winded way of saying "god works in mysterious ways" - which, as an answer to the problem of evil, is not useful at all.
You are saying that god allows evil to exist because it is required to achieve some "greater good" - but you don't know what that greater good is, you don't know why evil is necessary and you can't judge if there are any other options available. Atleast Christians who answer "it is required for free-will" give a definite reply that can be examined.
(August 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm)Drich Wrote: If you are speaking of the typical Omni max God know that is a catholic based version of the God, not of the bible. The bible does not say God is omni benevolent. Rather the oppsite. There are those in whom God of the bible hates.
Nevertheless, the rest of the Christianity believes him to be omnibenevolent and point to the bible to justify that. So, until you convince them all to change their view, we'll continue to regard omnibenevolence as one of your hypothetical god's traits.
(August 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm)Drich Wrote: Do you even understand the basics of biblical Christianity? God sent His son to die so all 'evil' would not have to be dealt with on the spot. Fore God sees all sin on the same level. it is our collective 'morality' that puts in on a sliding scale.
(Meaning if not for Christ's planned sacrifice we wouls all have to be dealt with eg the great flood.
(August 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm)Drich Wrote: Again a catholic construct based in greek philosphy. We are not free willed, rather the bible tells us we are slaves to sin with only one choice. That choice is to accept redemption.
This position is the perfect example of your hypothetical god's moral depravity and intellectual dishonesty.
1. Create something flawed and corrupted (remember, we don't have free will on that issue).
2. See all flaws and corruption as equal - even when they are not.
3. Realize that you don't want things that are flawed and corrupted.
4. So, instead of improving on those flaws and corruptions, create a loophole in the system which would allow you to accept those flawed and corrupted things anyway.
(August 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm)Drich Wrote: What makes you think this is meant to be anything besides a prooving ground?
Prove what?
(August 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm)Drich Wrote: If this world is not meant to be anything more than a prooving ground, then wouldn't it make sense to send a kid who did not 'proove' himself back through the mill?
So, we're sent back through the mill? You believe in reincarnation then?
(August 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm)Drich Wrote: "We are appointed once to live..." If we did not have a chance at life then why not give the one in question another appointment?
Precisely, why not?
(August 28, 2014 at 1:04 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: My $.02...Free will is necessary is someone is to freely love another. How you think about this thought problem indicates how persuasive you find the free will arguement. You can pick one of two generally comparable female lovers. The first loves you because they recognize traits in you that they find attractive and want to be with you of their own volition. THe second, has been enchanted by a love potion and adores you for no particular reason. With whom do you want to spend the rest of your life?
And how does this relate to the problem of evil?
(August 28, 2014 at 9:11 pm)Drich Wrote: Those who do not seek the God outlined and described in the bible, follow the easy path out lined by religion. If and when a religious description seperated itself or even speaks about God where the bible does not, that religious description ceases to be about the God of the bible.
Is that so? So, in the other thread where you argued that Fr0d0, who believes in an omni-benevolent god, does believe in the god of your bible, you were lying?
