Problems with the Problem of Pain

[liamconnor]

The supposal of an omnipotent, omniscient and good God is often attacked on the grounds of the presence of pain in the world. Such attacks paint the world as experienced so terrible, that one wonders why there are not more suicides: like 99% of humanity!

Yet every talk I have ever had with any atheist has revealed a relish in living.

It is as if there is just enough pain the world to reject theism; but not enough to go out and truly have a good time with friends over a pint of beer.

How do we reconcile the painting of reality made by atheists (who use the argument of the problem of evil: not all do) and the lives they live? Is this philosophical hypocrisy? Is it hypocritical to denounce a good god on the grounds that people are starving in Somalia while typing on a laptop and eating a burger from Wendy's?

(I suppose I should add that any atheist who adds his bit obviously acknowledges his or her access to a computer! and the internet! to the health and education that enables him or her to engage in this debate!)

[Bust Nak]

Bust Nak is playing on the beach in Cancun, Mexico. He builds a totally awesome sandcastle. His family is incredulous. "That's great, son! We're so proud of you," they say. Just then, some wise guy comes and stomps on it a few times and destroys it. Question: Was the sandcastle never totally awesome or great, since it is now just a pile of loose sand (rubble)?

It was totally awesome and great, but it wasn't perfect. I am not a perfect sandcastle building, merely a great one. A perfect sandcastle would be so wonderious that it will overwhelm said wise guy with such awe that he will not think about destorying it. Incidentally, a perfect sand castle would be instructiable so it wouldn't be a problem even if some guy stomps on it.

You don't seem to be taking perfection and omnipotence very seriously, why not just drop those lables and be done with it? The problem of evil wouldn't apply to merely great but less than perfecet creators.

Yeah, it gets ignored because it totally refutes your ridiculous narrative.

Incorrect, it gets ignored because it is a red herring. You spoke of a warning that things would break if rules are disobeyed, you spoke of ways of fixing things after they break. Neither of which addresses the point that perfect things cannot be broken in the first place.

Need we go further?

We can go as long as you like, I'll let you decide if you need to.

[PinSeeker]

Bless your hearts...

I'm glad I cause you guys such mental strife. Not that I really want to, because I don't. But if I wasn't, that would be a good sign that I'm doing something wrong...

[marco]

Yet again: You're your own man. Reading Job would be good for you, too. Maybe you might start to get a few things right about Christianity. For once.

Moderator Comment


While it is good to recommend literature, it's not so good to assume posters haven't been acquainted with Job. The "For once" is a tad abrasive - so let's steer clear of personal comments.

Please review the Rules.


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Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.

[Divine Insight]

Bless your hearts...

I'm glad I cause you guys such mental strife. Not that I really want to, because I don't. But if I wasn't, that would be a good sign that I'm doing something wrong...

Don't worry PinSeeker, you aren't causing anyone any strife. You haven't offered up a rational argument for anything yet. All you keep doing is preaching unverified Hebrew fairy tales and demonstrating that you can't even recognize the differences between mere mortal men and a supposedly omnipotent creator God.

Every argument you give is a failed analogy trying to show that your God would be as helpless and inept as a mere human who does not possess either omnipotence or omniscience.

You seem to think that the excuses for why men might have difficulty in some situations should somehow apply to your imaginary God.

Let's face it, even for a pure fairy tale, your apologies don't fly. Even an omnipotent omniscient fictional God would have more fictional powers that you allow your God to possess.

You have already assured us that your God has no more abilities than Bust Nak.

You call that a valid argument for a supposedly omnipotent omniscient God?

[Bust Nak]

[Replying to post 82 by PinSeeker]

That's just gloating (unwarrented too, if I might add) and addresses nothing from our posts.

[1213]

Why should I make the claim that perfection is impossible?

Because it is a way out of the problem of evil. If perfection is impossible then one cannot fault God for failing to do the impossible, it would literally be beyond his power.

I disagree with you, evil is not a problem. Evil cannot destroy soul and body can be replaced. God is perfect and this first death is perfect for its purpose, for lesson.

[PinSeeker]

Don't worry PinSeeker, you aren't causing anyone any strife.

His tone suddenly changes. Go figure...

Awww, yeah. You mad. Again, not my intention to make you mad. But, even beyond that, it's not really me you're mad at.

You have already assured us that your God has no more abilities than Bust Nak.

That was your takeaway from my little parable? Wow. Maybe I've been giving you far more credit than warranted.

[Bust Nak]

I disagree with you, evil is not a problem. Evil cannot destroy soul and body can be replaced. God is perfect and this first death is perfect for its purpose, for lesson.

If lessons needed to be learned then it's not all perfect, something went wrong.

[1213]

I disagree with you, evil is not a problem. Evil cannot destroy soul and body can be replaced. God is perfect and this first death is perfect for its purpose, for lesson.

If lessons needed to be learned then it's not all perfect, something went wrong.

It was not needed, people wanted to know evil, that is why we are here. God was nice in giving us what we asked for, especially because nothing of this can really destroy soul.

[bjs]

[Replying to post 87 by PinSeeker]


Moderator Comment

Please address the arguments, not the person making the argument.

Please review the Rules.


______________

Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.