The Problem of Evil, Another Theological Problem Options

[Simba]

The "problem of evil" is an argument against the existence of an omnipotent, omni-benevolent God. Basically, this proposes that an omnipotent and omni-benevolent God and evil existing in our world contradict and that because there is clearly evil in the world, God cannot exist.

The logical problem of evil argument, I personally think, does the best job of making what the problem of evil is proposing clear.

1. God exists. (premise)
2. God is omnipotent. (premise - or true by definition of the word 'God')
3. God is all-benevolent. (premise - or true by definition)
4. All-benevolent beings are opposed to all evil. (premise - or true by definition)
5. All-benevolent beings who can eliminate evil will do so immediately when they become aware of it. (premise)
6. God is opposed to all evil. (conclusion from 3 and 4)
7. God can eliminate evil completely and immediately. (conclusion from 2)

1. Whatever the end result of suffering is, God can bring it about by ways which do not include suffering. (conclusion from 2)
2. God has no reason not to eliminate evil. (conclusion from 7.1)
3. God has no reason not to act immediately. (conclusion from 5)

8. God will eliminate evil completely and immediately. (conclusion from 6, 7.2 and 7.3)
9. Evil exists, has existed, and probably will always exist. (premise)
10. Items 8 and 9 are contradictory; therefore, one or more of the premises is false: either God does not exist, or he is not both omnipotent and all-benevolent or there is a reason why He does not act immediately.

On the flip side, one of the most popular defenses is proposed by Augustine of Hippo, a Christian, which basically goes that evil is only the complete deprivation of good.

I personally think that argument is relatively weak, so I'll also throw in the free will argument (which basically states that God gave us free will as to not have us as "mindless robots") just to have the topic start out somewhat neutral.

1. Free will requires the potential to so anything one chooses. (premise, or by definition)
2. Thus, free will requires the potential to do evil.
3. Thus, removing the potential to do evil would remove free will.

Discuss.

[Kontroll]

Right. We should just stick to the topic. Evil. That is the topic right? haha.

Well, evil is real. We might not be able to touch it or see it directly because it is a product of our minds.

Evil is just the lack of presence of goodness. I feel that people are born evil. I mean, since the Bible is loosely tied into this discussion, it says that we are born into sin, so therefore sin is evil. We are evil.

How are you tying this into the Bible? I mean, you said that it contradicts God because He is perfect. I remember you saying that. IT would be contradictory for God to create evil. Or something along those lines.

So, comment, please.

[sweetangel2128]

Right. We should just stick to the topic. Evil. That is the topic right? haha.

Well, evil is real. We might not be able to touch it or see it directly because it is a product of our minds.

Evil is just the lack of presence of goodness. I feel that people are born evil. I mean, since the Bible is loosely tied into this discussion, it says that we are born into sin, so therefore sin is evil. We are evil.

How are you tying this into the Bible? I mean, you said that it contradicts God because He is perfect. I remember you saying that. IT would be contradictory for God to create evil. Or something along those lines.

So, comment, please.

First of all, God never created Evil, your right he is perfect. The Devil/Lucifer created Evil. He was a beautiful angel from Heaven who betrayed and went against God, tried to throw him off his own throne and was thrown out of Heaven. God gave us free will and Lucifer chose not to follow God, he hated him, he wanted his power..that's where the Evil in the world comes from, the Devil created it.

Yes, true most Evil you can't see but A LOT you can. Evil can be seen. Such as witnessing someone kill a child (your seeing evil happening) or maybe someone committing suicide due to depression (again your seeing evil again).

[*Uronacid*]

First of all, God never created Evil, your right he is perfect. The Devil/Lucifer created Evil. He was a beautiful angel from Heaven who betrayed and went against God, tried to throw him off his own throne and was thrown out of Heaven. God gave us free will and Lucifer chose not to follow God, he hated him, he wanted his power..that's where the Evil in the world comes from, the Devil created it.

Yes, true most Evil you can't see but A LOT you can. Evil can be seen. Such as witnessing someone kill a child (your seeing evil happening) or maybe someone committing suicide due to depression (again your seeing evil again).

God created all things. God created the devil. God created free will, and for free will to exist, evil must also exist. God can do anything...

You aren't seeing evil. You're seeing sin. Sin is an action tainted by evil. Those people are sinning because they are evil. Everyone is sinning. Even you.

[sweetangel2128]

God created all things. God created the devil. God created free will, and for free will to exist, evil must also exist. God can do anything...

You aren't seeing evil. You're seeing sin. Sin is an action tainted by evil. Those people are sinning because they are evil. Everyone is sinning. Even you.

I know everyone sins, yes even me...

And yes God did create the Devil but he didn't create evil..people make their own choices hence free will like you said.

No, your seeing sin and evil because sin is what evil is called. Anything that is evil is devil-related therefore sinful.