God designed cancer and birth defects.

[Jagella]

Apologists and creationists in particular love to wow us with the amazing design of the world. We have many beautiful animals and plants to ogle. And if that isn't amazing enough, we have discovered a genetic code we call "DNA" that exists in each of the trillions of our cells. This code lays out a blueprint for what we all are--amazing, functional, and beautiful beings! Surely a god must be responsible for all this wonder because we need a designer to explain DNA.

But wait. It doesn't always work out in a good way. DNA often "malfunctions" resulting in cancer and birth defects. What kind of design is that? What monster-god would plan that babies are born without eyes and that people would suffer and die as cancer cells multiply wildly and destroy their bodies?

Question for Debate: Did the Bible god design cancer and birth defects?

[1213]

...Did the Bible god design cancer and birth defects?[/size]

Bible tells everything God created was good. If cancer and birth defects are not good, I dont think they are from God. In Biblical point of view, it is possible that they are result of that people rejected God and His protection, turned into evil.

[Tcg]

Bible tells everything God created was good.

If that is true, then the Bible contradicts itself:

"Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."

God himself takes credit for evil. I wonder why so many theists want to take this credit from Him? He sounds quite proud of his accomplishment.

[Jagella]

Bible tells everything God created was good. If cancer and birth defects are not good, I dont think they are from God. In Biblical point of view, it is possible that they are result of that people rejected God and His protection, turned into evil.

So since God felt rejected, he caused people to get cancer and have babies with defects? God obviously can't take rejection. If I was God, then I'd make sure people live happy, healthy lives even if I felt rejected by them. That way they would be less likely to reject me.

[ttruscott]

...Did the Bible god design cancer and birth defects?[/size]

Bible tells everything God created was good. If cancer and birth defects are not good, I dont think they are from God. In Biblical point of view, it is possible that they are result of that people rejected God and His protection, turned into evil.

Just a note: some of the things God called good might have been evil if good in this context does not have the connotation of moral good but of being perfectly good for HIS purpose in HIS creating us. That is, HE planned to use the evil created by HIS creation for the good of HIS sinful elect and so HE pronounced it was all good, ie, the earth with its various evils was ready for the redemptive plan to start in the garden.

[1213]

Bible tells everything God created was good.

If that is true, then the Bible contradicts itself:
"Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."
God himself takes credit for evil. I wonder why so many theists want to take this credit from Him? He sounds quite proud of his accomplishment.

Ok, first thing is: In the beginning everything was good according to the Bible:

God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Gen. 1:31

So, everything God created, was good, at the beginning.

But then, God was rejected, and all kind of evil/bad things came possible. It is not contradictory. If things are good at the beginning, it doesnt mean there could not happen bad things later.

I think God doesnt do evil things, but He is the reason why anything exists. Also evil is because of His creation, even if not directly by Him. For example, Satan would not exist without God. But it is not Gods fault, if beings use this possibility for evil and corrupt everything good.

[1213]

...So since God felt rejected, he caused people to get cancer and have babies with defects?

No, I dont say so, and I dont believe so. Because people rejected God, they are on their own and without Gods protection and that is why all kind of evil becomes possible. It could be compared to that you crash with car without seatbelt on. Would you blame the seatbelt for the accident, if you didnt use it?

If I was God, then I'd make sure people live happy, healthy lives even if I felt rejected by them. That way they would be less likely to reject me.

But what if people want to murder, lie and steal and make others life miserable? What if they cant be happy, if they cannot do evil?

[1213]

Just a note: some of the things God called good might have been evil if good in this context does not have the connotation of moral good but of being perfectly good for HIS purpose in HIS creating us. That is, HE planned to use the evil created by HIS creation for the good of HIS sinful elect and so HE pronounced it was all good, ie, the earth with its various evils was ready for the redemptive plan to start in the garden.

I think that is good point. Good and evil also can have different meaning in the Bible than in the mind of an atheist. Some things may appear bad/evil at some point and later they appear as good, because for example helped to see things in better way.

It is actually interesting question, what is really good, bad or evil. For example, atheist often support abortion and euthanasia, but if God aborts people, it is suddenly not good anymore. Very subjective is the words good and evil.

[Jagella]

Because people rejected God, they are on their own and without Gods protection and that is why all kind of evil becomes possible.

I help people if I can even if they reject me. Why can't god figure that out? Is he so insecure that he falls to pieces refusing to help people if he feels rejected?

But what if people want to murder, lie and steal and make others life miserable? What if they cant be happy, if they cannot do evil?

Well, it's very rare for people to be miserable if they can't do evil. People are generally good. And if I was a god I wouldn't create evil people to begin with. That way the issue of what to do with evil people would be moot because there would be no evil people!

See that, 1213? None of this is hard. Heck, I figured it out easily enough. So the next time you speak to God, explain this to him, and then he'll understand too.

[1213]

I help people if I can even if they reject me. Why can't god figure that out? Is he so insecure that he falls to pieces refusing to help people if he feels rejected?

But what if people dont want it, should God force His help to people who want to be without God?

And if I was a god I wouldn't create evil people to begin with. That way the issue of what to do with evil people would be moot because there would be no evil people!

I think it would be evil not to let people have freedom.

[Deleted]

"Replying to OP by Jagella"

You asked:

Did the Bible god design cancer and birth defects?

Answer: No, the biblical God did not design cancer or birth defects.