Is God Responsible For The Evil In The World? No He Is Not.

[JAG]

Some atheists say the God of the Bible is responsible for all the evil in the world and they quote Epicurus as proof of their claim.

Alvin Plantinga has a very good answer to those atheists and to Epicurus:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus

Now Alvin . .

As Plantinga summarized his defense:[14]

"A world containing creatures who are significantly free (and freely perform more good than evil actions) is more valuable, all else being equal, than a world containing no free creatures at all. Now God can create free creatures, but He can't cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren't significantly free after all; they do not do what is right freely. To create creatures capable of moral good, therefore, He must create creatures capable of moral evil; and He can't give these creatures the freedom to perform evil and at the same time prevent them from doing so. As it turned out, sadly enough, some of the free creatures God created went wrong in the exercise of their freedom; this is the source of moral evil. The fact that free creatures sometimes go wrong, however, counts neither against God's omnipotence nor against His goodness; for He could have forestalled the occurrence of moral evil only by removing the possibility of moral good."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details

Epicurus did not correctly understand the Christian doctrine of God's Omnipotence. God's Omnipotence does not mean that He can do anything. God cannot create square circles. God cannot make 2 + 2 = 7. God cannot give humans the freedom to do evil and at the same time prevent humans from doing evil.

You have to "deep read" what Plantinga explained up there and spend some time thinking seriously about what he wrote. You have to be willing to read it charitably. I hope you are not already locked-down on atheism and have already decided to keep Epicurus as your friend. The fatal flaw in Epicurus is he misunderstood the Christian doctrine of the Omnipotence of the God of the Bible.

___________


Note to any Christians reading this thread: The article on Wikipedia titled "Alvin Plantinga's Free Will Defense" is packed with further detailed explanations and other helpful truths on this issue, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details


`

 

[joaquinmiller]

Some atheists say the God of the Bible is responsible for all the evil in the world and they quote Epicurus as proof of their claim.

Alvin Plantinga has a very good answer to those atheists and to Epicurus:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus

Now Alvin . .

As Plantinga summarized his defense:[14]

"A world containing creatures who are significantly free (and freely perform more good than evil actions) is more valuable, all else being equal, than a world containing no free creatures at all. Now God can create free creatures, but He can't cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren't significantly free after all; they do not do what is right freely. To create creatures capable of moral good, therefore, He must create creatures capable of moral evil; and He can't give these creatures the freedom to perform evil and at the same time prevent them from doing so. As it turned out, sadly enough, some of the free creatures God created went wrong in the exercise of their freedom; this is the source of moral evil. The fact that free creatures sometimes go wrong, however, counts neither against God's omnipotence nor against His goodness; for He could have forestalled the occurrence of moral evil only by removing the possibility of moral good."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details

Epicurus did not correctly understand the Christian doctrine of God's Omnipotence. God's Omnipotence does not mean that He can do anything. God cannot create square circles. God cannot make 2 + 2 = 7. God cannot give humans the freedom to do evil and at the same time prevent humans from doing evil.

You have to "deep read" what Plantinga explained up there and spend some time thinking seriously about what he wrote. You have to be willing to read it charitably. I hope you are not already locked-down on atheism and have already decided to keep Epicurus as your friend. The fatal flaw in Epicurus is he misunderstood the Christian doctrine of the Omnipotence of the God of the Bible.

___________


Note to any Christians reading this thread: The article on Wikipedia titled "Alvin Plantinga's Free Will Defense" is packed with further detailed explanations and other helpful truths on this issue, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details


`

Atheists don't believe that. Atheists believe the God of the Bible doesn't exist.

 

[task0778]

This is pretty much my own perspective on the issue of God and Evil. With one exception though, it's not just the Christian doctrine but the doctrine of all religions.

 

[JAG]

Atheists don't believe that. Atheists believe the God of the Bible doesn't exist.

Joaquinmiller,

Some atheists blame the God-That-Does-Not-Exist for all the evil in the world.
The atheist Stephen Fry, in an interview in a video on You Tube, said that the God
of the Bible put "bone cancer in children."

I understand that atheists do not believe that God exists --- I also understand that
many of them blame the God-That-Does-Not-Exist for all the evil in the world and
they often quote Epicurus regarding The Problem Of Evil:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus


`

 

[miketx]

Some atheists say the God of the Bible is responsible for all the evil in the world and they quote Epicurus as proof of their claim.

Alvin Plantinga has a very good answer to those atheists and to Epicurus:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus

Now Alvin . .

As Plantinga summarized his defense:[14]

"A world containing creatures who are significantly free (and freely perform more good than evil actions) is more valuable, all else being equal, than a world containing no free creatures at all. Now God can create free creatures, but He can't cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren't significantly free after all; they do not do what is right freely. To create creatures capable of moral good, therefore, He must create creatures capable of moral evil; and He can't give these creatures the freedom to perform evil and at the same time prevent them from doing so. As it turned out, sadly enough, some of the free creatures God created went wrong in the exercise of their freedom; this is the source of moral evil. The fact that free creatures sometimes go wrong, however, counts neither against God's omnipotence nor against His goodness; for He could have forestalled the occurrence of moral evil only by removing the possibility of moral good."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details

Epicurus did not correctly understand the Christian doctrine of God's Omnipotence. God's Omnipotence does not mean that He can do anything. God cannot create square circles. God cannot make 2 + 2 = 7. God cannot give humans the freedom to do evil and at the same time prevent humans from doing evil.

You have to "deep read" what Plantinga explained up there and spend some time thinking seriously about what he wrote. You have to be willing to read it charitably. I hope you are not already locked-down on atheism and have already decided to keep Epicurus as your friend. The fatal flaw in Epicurus is he misunderstood the Christian doctrine of the Omnipotence of the God of the Bible.

___________


Note to any Christians reading this thread: The article on Wikipedia titled "Alvin Plantinga's Free Will Defense" is packed with further detailed explanations and other helpful truths on this issue, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details


`

Democrats and commies are

 

[Likkmee]

The Bible doesn't get into politics but some had to be going on. He had a 33% downvote(according to scripture) and Satans version of ANTIFA had to fight the Archangel Michael....got their asses kicked and thrown out of the territory.Then, even after the second coming and 1000 year reign,Satan is loosed for "a little while". Take it from there.

 

[JAG]

This is pretty much my own perspective on the issue of God
and Evil. With one exception though, it's not just the
Christian doctrine but the doctrine of all religions.

Task,
Thanks for your comment.
Would you elaborate on your comment and explain further?

 

[JAG]

Democrats and commies are

Mike,
Are what?
I don't understand what you mean.

 

[task0778]

This is pretty much my own perspective on the issue of God
and Evil. With one exception though, it's not just the
Christian doctrine but the doctrine of all religions.

Task,
Thanks for your comment.
Would you elaborate on your comment and explain further?

So far as I know, every religion that believes in God or Gods allows people free will or do good or evil things. As you say, if God prevents us from doing evil things then we do not have complete free will. But I am not sure if God would allow somebody to destroy the entire planet or eliminate the human race, possibly God makes sure that doesn't happen. Maybe free will does have it's limits, but that doesn't mean moral good has it's limits even if moral evil does.

 

[JAG]

So far as I know, every religion that believes in God or Gods allows people free will or do good or evil things. As you say, if God prevents us from doing evil things then we do not have complete free will. But I am not sure if God would allow somebody to destroy the entire planet or eliminate the human race, possibly God makes sure that doesn't happen. Maybe free will does have it's limits, but that doesn't mean moral good has it's limits even if moral evil does.

Task,
Thanks for your elaboration.

 

[miketx]

Democrats and commies are

Mike,
Are what?
I don't understand what you mean.

Jesus H Christ! What does your OP ask?

 

[MaryL]

It's an open ended question, isn't it? If you stick with the theist canon, god made everything....Put on the brakes Skeezix.. God created EVIL. WHY? That's the crux of the situation. This is my sticking point on theism whatever they call themselves. Where does that go? Down the proverbial question ALL religions rabbit hole. It makes no sense whatso ever. Life is just random crap that happens. An we make up the morality that comes from it.

 

[task0778]

It's an open ended question, isn't it? If you stick with the theist canon, god made everything....Put on the brakes Skeezix.. God created EVIL. WHY? That's the crux of the situation. This is my sticking point on theism whatever they call themselves. Where does that go? Down the proverbial question ALL religions rabbit hole. It makes no sense whatso ever. Life is just random crap that happens. An we make up the morality that comes from it.

Evil isn't a thing that God creates, it's a choice each individual makes all the time, everyday. Should I do this or not, knowing it's wrong. Maybe God sets up the choice, but it's still on each of us to make the call to do something that is evil or not. If you make the wrong call that's not on God, that's on you. And yes, that means God is not all-knowing and omnipotent.

 

[BreezeWood]

It's an open ended question, isn't it? If you stick with the theist canon, god made everything....Put on the brakes Skeezix.. God created EVIL. WHY? That's the crux of the situation. This is my sticking point on theism whatever they call themselves. Where does that go? Down the proverbial question ALL religions rabbit hole. It makes no sense whatso ever. Life is just random crap that happens. An we make up the morality that comes from it.

God created EVIL.

.
the Almighty conquered evil - the same is required for admission to the Everlasting for whichever spirit might care to make the attempt. no freeloading desert trash need apply.

 

[Tax Man]

Some atheists say the God of the Bible is responsible for all the evil in the world and they quote Epicurus as proof of their claim.

Alvin Plantinga has a very good answer to those atheists and to Epicurus:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus

Now Alvin . .

As Plantinga summarized his defense:[14]

"A world containing creatures who are significantly free (and freely perform more good than evil actions) is more valuable, all else being equal, than a world containing no free creatures at all. Now God can create free creatures, but He can't cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren't significantly free after all; they do not do what is right freely. To create creatures capable of moral good, therefore, He must create creatures capable of moral evil; and He can't give these creatures the freedom to perform evil and at the same time prevent them from doing so. As it turned out, sadly enough, some of the free creatures God created went wrong in the exercise of their freedom; this is the source of moral evil. The fact that free creatures sometimes go wrong, however, counts neither against God's omnipotence nor against His goodness; for He could have forestalled the occurrence of moral evil only by removing the possibility of moral good."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details

Epicurus did not correctly understand the Christian doctrine of God's Omnipotence. God's Omnipotence does not mean that He can do anything. God cannot create square circles. God cannot make 2 + 2 = 7. God cannot give humans the freedom to do evil and at the same time prevent humans from doing evil.

You have to "deep read" what Plantinga explained up there and spend some time thinking seriously about what he wrote. You have to be willing to read it charitably. I hope you are not already locked-down on atheism and have already decided to keep Epicurus as your friend. The fatal flaw in Epicurus is he misunderstood the Christian doctrine of the Omnipotence of the God of the Bible.

___________


Note to any Christians reading this thread: The article on Wikipedia titled "Alvin Plantinga's Free Will Defense" is packed with further detailed explanations and other helpful truths on this issue, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details


`

There is no god other than greed. Conservatives are the owners of greed and need to be held accountable.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Atheists don't believe that. Atheists believe the God of the Bible doesn't exist.

Joaquinmiller,

Some atheists blame the God-That-Does-Not-Exist for all the evil in the world.
The atheist Stephen Fry, in an interview in a video on You Tube, said that the God
of the Bible put "bone cancer in children."

I understand that atheists do not believe that God exists --- I also understand that
many of them blame the God-That-Does-Not-Exist for all the evil in the world and
they often quote Epicurus regarding The Problem Of Evil:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus


`

An actual Atheist, such as myself, never "blames" God for the evil that exists, for if he/she/it doesn't exist, as we say, then he/she/it cannot be blamed for anything, as he/she/it doesn't exist. It would be like blaming the winged horse, Pegasus for something. As it never existed, it would be absurd to blame it for anything.
There is criminal behavior and criminal behavior tends to stem from a combination of a person's parental upbringing, peer associations and financial issues, although, there are some indicators that some aspect of genetics may play a partial role in behavior, which has yet to be proved.

 

[Likkmee]

It's an open ended question, isn't it? If you stick with the theist canon, god made everything....Put on the brakes Skeezix.. God created EVIL. WHY? That's the crux of the situation. This is my sticking point on theism whatever they call themselves. Where does that go? Down the proverbial question ALL religions rabbit hole. It makes no sense whatso ever. Life is just random crap that happens. An we make up the morality that comes from it.

Lets call it a breeders way of seeing who to cull

 

[james bond]

Satan tempts humans and they are the ones responsible. One can just tell Satan to get lost.

I think what Satan is responsible are the race riots over George Floyd. Maybe the racist cop commits suicide or gets burned on a murder charge.

 

[harmonica]

Some atheists say the God of the Bible is responsible for all the evil in the world and they quote Epicurus as proof of their claim.

Alvin Plantinga has a very good answer to those atheists and to Epicurus:

Sayeth Epicurus:

“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?”__Epicurus

Now Alvin . .

As Plantinga summarized his defense:[14]

"A world containing creatures who are significantly free (and freely perform more good than evil actions) is more valuable, all else being equal, than a world containing no free creatures at all. Now God can create free creatures, but He can't cause or determine them to do only what is right. For if He does so, then they aren't significantly free after all; they do not do what is right freely. To create creatures capable of moral good, therefore, He must create creatures capable of moral evil; and He can't give these creatures the freedom to perform evil and at the same time prevent them from doing so. As it turned out, sadly enough, some of the free creatures God created went wrong in the exercise of their freedom; this is the source of moral evil. The fact that free creatures sometimes go wrong, however, counts neither against God's omnipotence nor against His goodness; for He could have forestalled the occurrence of moral evil only by removing the possibility of moral good."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details

Epicurus did not correctly understand the Christian doctrine of God's Omnipotence. God's Omnipotence does not mean that He can do anything. God cannot create square circles. God cannot make 2 + 2 = 7. God cannot give humans the freedom to do evil and at the same time prevent humans from doing evil.

You have to "deep read" what Plantinga explained up there and spend some time thinking seriously about what he wrote. You have to be willing to read it charitably. I hope you are not already locked-down on atheism and have already decided to keep Epicurus as your friend. The fatal flaw in Epicurus is he misunderstood the Christian doctrine of the Omnipotence of the God of the Bible.

___________


Note to any Christians reading this thread: The article on Wikipedia titled "Alvin Plantinga's Free Will Defense" is packed with further detailed explanations and other helpful truths on this issue, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga's_free-will_defense#Further_details


`

there is no god--so no

 

[JAG]

What does your OP ask?

It asks the title of the Opening Post: "Is God Responsible For All The Evil In The World?