In response to the evil we encounter in the worlds, many atheists seem to be conversant with the following argument:
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?
This is often attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, but there is some debate about whether he actually taught this. Regardless of where it originally came from, the argument is nevertheless common, and many people use it to argue against God.
One problem with the above argument is in the third question, “Is he both able and willing?” The implication is that since evil exists, God could not be both able and willing to eliminate it. This is a false premise, for God can be both able and willing, but merely has not destroyed evil yet. God will indeed destroy evil, but has no requirement to destroy evil immediately. This is true for several reasons.
If God stopped all evil before it started, He would also prevent a greater good. The only way we can have bravery is to have risky situations that can result in death. The only way we can have compassion or altruism is to have people in need. If God prevented all evil, He would have to prevent freedom, for human freedom is the source of much evil, but human freedom is also one of the greatest goods. If God prevented all evil, He would be preventing the greater good and creating a world of pre-programmed robots, forced to do His will. Such a world would prevent the greatest good of all, love.
Further, merely asking why God would wait to destroy, or pointing out that we do not know God’s purpose for evil, does not prove that God has no greater purpose. In fact, merely asking the question does not prove anything at all.
The Bible tells us that in the end, God punishes all evil and rewards the good. The fact that He has not yet done so speaks of His mercy in holding His hand of judgement, and desiring love between Him and His creatures.
I need a better argument than this. If a god requires human suffering to achieve its ends, it is usually called a demon or devil. Are you perhaps a devil worshipper?
As the post states, it is impossible to have a greater good, such as freedom, bravery, compassion, or love, without situations that call for overcoming circumstances that challenge these traits. One cannot be brave in situations that do not require bravery, nor can one freely love in situations that do not have the possibility to be non-loving. This is a requirement of logic and reason in any relationship between beings, and is not based in God’s choice.
I would still have to agree with Epicurus on this one.
If God is ABLE to prevent evil, and does not why does he deserve my worship. Why would he even be worthy of the title all-mighty benevolent God, if he can’t or refuses do something like end evil, and suffering?
I’ve dealt with similar questions several times….see the following:
http://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/does-the-existence-of-moral-evil-prove-or-disprove-god/
http://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/a-question-for-atheists/
http://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/how-can-a-good-god-allow-evil/
http://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/richard-dawkins-god-and-blind-indifference/
http://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/if-a-good-god-exists-why-does-bad-things-happen/
But give me a day or three and I’ll write yet another. It seems that we insist on God leaving us alone to be free and do what we want, then blame Him for the evil we create. Meanwhile, I’ll phrase the answer I’ve already given as questions:
How can God allow freedom and love if He stops every evil act, no matter how slight?
How could love exist meaningfully if God forces us to act righteously all the time, and we have no real choice in the matter?
How can there be morality if all we have are physical forces and chemical reactions? If Richard Dawkins is right when he says “The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind pitiless indifference” then why would we have any objection about evil? Why, we wouldn’t care in the slightest.
ok great, I’ll check it out and the links when I get a chance
Sounds a lot like the ends justify the means. I guess every concentration camp has its silver lining.
I would disagree. For example what greater good from genocide such as what happened in Rwanda or Yugoslavia? Could it not be achieved by non violent means? It is no good to say God has not destroyed evil yet, because this case of evil was allowed to happen. It is surely possible to have love without evil. Your final sentence is absurd, God allowing mass murder does not prove his mercy, it proves he is either heartless or non existent.
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The latest salvo in this conversation can be found here: http://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/problem-of-evil/
One would hope it would be the last, but perhaps that is a dream.