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!)

[brunumb]

[Replying to post 100 by Divine Insight]

After all, if God wanted ignorant human children why not just design them to be stupid?

But, he did. I wonder why a being with ultimate intelligence and knowledge of everything would create human beings for a loving relationship and with whom to share eternity. You'd think he would have made us a bit brighter than we are. As it is, it's somewhat like me making an ant farm and asking the ants to love me and have a relationship with me.

[Tcg]

As it is, it's somewhat like me making an ant farm and asking the ants to love me and have a relationship with me.

Well, yes. If you had a cup of gasoline in one hand and a lighter in the other.

[brunumb]

As it is, it's somewhat like me making an ant farm and asking the ants to love me and have a relationship with me.

Well, yes. If you had a cup of gasoline in one hand and a lighter in the other.

Love me, or else. It's your choice.

[Bust Nak]

Apparently knowing good and evil like God knows, is painful. Maybe God wanted to spare us from the pain. I think it is not a flaw.

Are you actually suggesting that pain is a logical necessity? God by necessity knows everything, and knowing good and evil requires pain.

[1213]

Also, if you want to refer to Adam and Eve as "God's Children", then surely God would want them to grow up and become mature gods in their own right.

I refer them children in sense that children can learn from father. They could have askew anything from God and know things from the teachings. There was no limit for knowing, but there were two ways to get the knowledge. And they chose the harder way.

Why would a God have a fear that humans might actually learn and understand things?

I don’t think God has such fear. He made things so that they had choice to know without pain and suffering. But they wanted to know by this harder way.

[brunumb]

[Replying to post 105 by 1213]

I don’t think God has such fear. He made things so that they had choice to know without pain and suffering. But they wanted to know by this harder way.

On what basis do you make that claim? Human nature would suggest the opposite, whereby they chose the easiest option available without any pain or suffering.

[1213]

Apparently knowing good and evil like God knows, is painful. Maybe God wanted to spare us from the pain. I think it is not a flaw.

Are you actually suggesting that pain is a logical necessity? God by necessity knows everything, and knowing good and evil requires pain.

Knowing evil, the way Adam and Eve chose, is painful. Knowing it by teachings of God, would not have been painful.

[Divine Insight]

Why would a God have a fear that humans might actually learn and understand things?

I don’t think God has such fear. He made things so that they had choice to know without pain and suffering. But they wanted to know by this harder way.

But who are they?

You are making an assertion that isn't even well-defined.

Why should I care about a fairy tale that focuses on other people who supposedly want something entirely different from what I would want of ask for?

Also, this isn't Biblical. There is nothing in the story of Adam and Eve where God sat down with Adam and Eve and explained to them that they could have a choice of learning things an easy way versus a hard was and they chose the hard way.

That's simply not the Biblical story.

So what religion and God are you even talking about? You're clearly not talking about any religion or God that is based on the Bible.

[Bust Nak]

Knowing evil, the way Adam and Eve chose, is painful. Knowing it by teachings of God, would not have been painful.

In which case you are back to where you were, Adam and Eve went with the less than perfect way of knowing evil. Yet another instance of imperfection from a supposed prefection, a contradiction.

[1213]

…
Also, this isn't Biblical. There is nothing in the story of Adam and Eve where God sat down with Adam and Eve and explained to them that they could have a choice of learning things an easy way versus a hard was and they chose the hard way...

Bible tells God was with the people and told them many things, also about the tree. There was no reason why they could not have asked from God directly all things they want to know.