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Saint Augustine touched that subject in a rather comprehensive manner in the 4th century.
Augustine proposed that evil could not exist within God, nor be created by God, and is instead a by-product of God's creativity. He rejected the notion that evil exists in itself, proposing instead that it is a privation of (or falling away from) good, and a corruption of nature. WIKI
A by-product or lack of good? So the void preexists god?
I'm not sure if you buy that argument and are just putting it forward for the sake of argument.
The consensus even among theologians is that theodicy is unresolvable. Those who continue to believe in god usually call it a mystery or unknowable as to how it is resolved.
A benevolent God is illogical. If there is such a thing as a God then God must be indifferent to pain.
Thus, god-things are indifferent to humans, so whether a god exists or not is irrelevant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian658
Saint Augustine touched that subject in a rather comprehensive manner in the 4th century.
Augustine proposed that evil could not exist within God, nor be created by God, and is instead a by-product of God's creativity. He rejected the notion that evil exists in itself, proposing instead that it is a privation of (or falling away from) good, and a corruption of nature. WIKI
A PUKI? Really?
Augusturd ignores the fact that his god-thing created man in his image and in his likeness, so if humans are evil or act evil, then that is literally a reflection of the god-thing.
A by-product or lack of good? So the void preexists god?
I'm not sure if you buy that argument and are just putting it forward for the sake of argument.
The consensus even among theologians is that theodicy is unresolvable. Those who continue to believe in god usually call it a mystery or unknowable as to how it is resolved.
If there is such a thing as the God pushed forth by Christians, Jews and Muslims one would NOT expect any evil associated with God. IN fact, on a metaphysical level Satan would not exist. In the end Satan was a preaching tool to attract converts.
The evil originates among humans because they have free will. The creation is more perfect if MANKIND has free will. A creation where MAN has no free will is not fun. I am talking free will within the context of Christianity.
Thus, god-things are indifferent to humans, so whether a god exists or not is irrelevant.
A PUKI? Really?
Augusturd ignores the fact that his god-thing created man in his image and in his likeness, so if humans are evil or act evil, then that is literally a reflection of the god-thing.
If there is such a thing as the God pushed forth by Christians, Jews and Muslims one would NOT expect any evil associated with God. IN fact, on a metaphysical level Satan would not exist. In the end Satan was a preaching tool to attract converts.
The evil originates among humans because they have free will. The creation is more perfect if MANKIND has free will. A creation where MAN has no free will is not fun. I am talking free will within the context of Christianity.
Free will and omniscience are in conflict. If god knows everything about the future, you have no free will.
Thus, god-things are indifferent to humans, so whether a god exists or not is irrelevant.
A PUKI? Really?
Augusturd ignores the fact that his god-thing created man in his image and in his likeness, so if humans are evil or act evil, then that is literally a reflection of the god-thing.
"Irrelevant" is a personal opinion/personal need.
It is only about if there is something or not something. I can see why you go with personal opinion, personal opinion means you can ignore the science and believe what you want. Some theist do it so I have no doubt that some atheist will too.
Free will and omniscience are in conflict. If god knows everything about the future, you have no free will.
Two and a half legs.
Yes, free will is an illusion whether God is real or not. However, if you are discussing theology then you must play by the rules. The theologians believed in free will. In fact Aquinas agrees with Augustine on this issue. This keeps God in total pure state of GOOD.
However, there is no such thing as GOOD or EVIL. If there is a God he (apologies to the feminists) is better off assuming free will. Or giving the humans the illusion of free will. Free will also provides an indirect convenient explanation to natural disasters that kill the innocent.
Yes, free will is an illusion whether God is real or not. However, if you are discussing theology then you must play by the rules. The theologians believed in free will. In fact Aquinas agrees with Augustine on this issue. This keeps God in total pure state of GOOD.
However, there is no such thing as GOOD or EVIL. If there is a God he (apologies to the feminists) is better off assuming free will. Or giving the humans the illusion of free will. Free will also provides an indirect convenient explanation to natural disasters that kill the innocent.
Ok free will is an illusion. Then how does evil fill the void that opens from disobeying god's will? Did god disobey himself?
And how does divine judgement make sense if all actions are preordained by God?
And how can god be in a state of good if good or evil doesn't exist? You just contradicted yourself, which always ends up happening whenever you try to resolve theodicy.
You can't resolve it. The three statements are not logically consistent.
Saint Augustine touched that subject in a rather comprehensive manner in the 4th century.
Augustine proposed that evil could not exist within God, nor be created by God, and is instead a by-product of God's creativity. He rejected the notion that evil exists in itself, proposing instead that it is a privation of (or falling away from) good, and a corruption of nature. WIKI
Good for Augustine. I don't buy it, even if we accept that the incidental evil was the best Plan that god (name your own) could make work, it can do anything, and so could intervene supernaturally to alleviate some of those incidental evils.
That nothing like that happens persuades me, there ain't no god. Not around here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian658
A benevolent God would take out the fun of being human. If I was God I would not be benevolent.
I don't know. If you made me a god now, I'd be able to remember when something was better than it is now and 'make it so' and let the savants wonder about how it happened and give the believers some evidence.
That nothing like that happens convinces me, there ain't no god, not around here.
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