Dodging theodicy: 'On Faith' panel stumbles over Haiti and God

[Eilonnwy]

A fellow examiner, Paul Fidalgo, wrote a great piece, which is critical of the theological response to Haiti. I found it worth sharing: http://www.examiner.com/x-4275-Secularis...ti-and-God

[Rhizomorph13]

Great article, I learned a new word, theodicy. Has, "The problem of evil" been hashed out on these forums directly yet? I know it has been mentioned a few times but was there a thread dedicated to the problem?

[Eilonnwy]

It was discussed in a thread recently, but not given a dedicated thread and a more detailed discussion.

[Rhizomorph13]

I remember Arcanus railing against it as a dumb position but he never explained why. It would be interesting to see it refuted or at least the attempt would be interesting.

[Eilonnwy]

He said he would accept any debate on it. If I wasn't incredibly busy, I would have accepted.

[Tiberius]

I think the essence of the argument against the problem of evil is that "evil" isn't held to be something created, but the lack of God's presence. The way I've had it explained is that "light" exists, but "dark" does not; "dark" is the absence of light. In the same way, "good" exists, but "evil" does not; "evil" is the absence of "good". God is given to be the creator of good, and thus isn't responsible for evil.

God is supposedly both willing and able to prevent evil (by creating good), but chooses not to do so because of free will. Christians especially have argued that God told us the way to rid the world of evil, through redemption and belief in Christ.

At best I think it's a lot of dodging around, but I suspect Arcanus or fr0d0 have alternative views and arguments.

[theVOID]

The only part i have a problem with understanding is the idea that the God of the Bible is "All good" - If you actually read the book he's a fucking Genocidal thug

[Pippy]

Old testament, yes. New testament he is more lackadaisical...

Remember the ''how to sacrifice a dove' part? "The odor of this food offering is pleasing to the lord". Or the beginning, Numbers I think, "Throw down your jewelry and I will decide what to do with you next".

Mmmmmmm YHWH. You always know just what to say.

[Zen Badger]

Educated apologist, how dare you weep Christian tears, when your entire theology is one long celebration of suffering: suffering as payback for 'sin' - or suffering as 'atonement' for it? You may weep for Haiti where Pat Robertson does not, but at least, in his hick, sub-Palinesque ignorance, he holds up an honest mirror to the ugliness of Christian theology. You are nothing but a whited sepulchre.

You've gotta love Dawkins

[Violet]

I was going to quote him myself, when i saw you already did it