PRE - Problem of Evil

?
View mindmap
  • What is the Problem of Evil
    • The inconsistent triad
      • God as omnibene-volent.
        • An all loving god would want to prevent evil.
          • Evil; the opposite of good. Something which causes suffering or harm to others.
        • Omnibene-volent means all loving
          • agape; the unconditional, divine love that God has for humanity. Highest form of love there is.
        • How could God allow suffering and evil if he is omnibene-volent?
      • The presence of evil, pain and suffering is a persistent argument used against a belief in God.
        • For a Christian, this wouldn't be an argument for the existence of God as they would respond with that whatever has happened is either due to human actions which would then have consequences or human actions which reflect on natural events to happen e.g. earthquakes
          • moral evil; human actions which cause suffering e.g. murder or stealing
      • God as omnipotent
        • An all powerful God would be able to prevent evil or suffering.
          • Suffering;l A state of pain, misery or loss. This can be psychological, physical or emotional pain.
          • However in this century or so, we have had no signs of God being omnipotent and preventing evil
        • If God was omnipotent then he would be able to control and prevent natural evil, but not moral evil as humans have freewill.
          • moral evil; human actions which cause suffering e.g. murder or stealing
          • Natural evil; natural events which cause suffering e.g. tsunamis or earthquakes.
      • Evil exists.
        • This is arguably undeniable so there cannot be an all loving, all powerful God.
        • God cannot be omnibene-volent and omnipotent at the same time.
        • God doesn't end suffering despite being called or being omnipotent and omnibene-volent
    • The presence of evil, pain and suffering is a persistent argument used against a belief in God.
      • For a Christian, this wouldn't be an argument for the existence of God as they would respond with that whatever has happened is either due to human actions which would then have consequences or human actions which reflect on natural events to happen e.g. earthquakes
      • Responses to the problem of evil.
        • Life is a test from God
          • There will be a plan, purpose and a reward.
        • We cannot question or understand God (transcended)
          • How could God allow suffering and evil if he is omnibene-volent?
        • Moral evil is caused by humans.
          • Natural evil is caused by humans (pollution) - due to the fall we created disharmony in nature
            • the fall; Adam and Eve betray God by eating from the tree of knowledge.
              • Satan tempts people to commit sin / evil actions
      • Philosophers beliefs
        • In defence of God.
          • Ireneaus
            • Ireneaus believes that when people were created they were in a state of immaturity
            • All humans need to learn and grow into the likeness of God
            • Making mistakes, persevering,  being patient, trials and suffering were all part of God's original intentions for the world
            • The evil and suffering in the world is put here by God for a reason; our growth and development
              • Making mistakes, persevering,  being patient, trials and suffering were all part of God's original intentions for the world
            • I agree with his view points as bad actions which have been done, will have consequences along with the, however pollution, everyone emits to it, and again everyone will get punished by it - whether they notice or not.
          • Augustine
            • He believes evil is the lack of good, and God is perfect.
            • Humans have freewill - Adam and Eve misused it, therefore evil exists
              • Also the angels were also exposed to freewill and some (Satan) misused it and went against God.
            • The world was created perfect but was spoilt by the fall
            • Ireneaus
              • Ireneaus believes that when people were created they were in a state of immaturity
              • All humans need to learn and grow into the likeness of God
              • The evil and suffering in the world is put here by God for a reason; our growth and development
                • I agree with his view points as bad actions which have been done, will have consequences along with the, however pollution, everyone emits to it, and again everyone will get punished by it - whether they notice or not.
          • Richard Dawkins
            • ''The fact that there is still evil and suffering in the world proves that God does not exist'' - RD
              • This shows that Dawkins agrees with the inconsistent triad, and that if god is omnipotent he cannot be omnibene-volent or if he is omnibene-volent he cannot be omnipotent - God cannot be both things with the existence of evil
              • I agree because if God was all loving then he wouldn't want us to suffer.
              • I disagree because god is all powerful and He can do whatever he wants to do, in the fall Adam and Eve went against God's commands, God did the most loving thing in the situation and as a consequence they had to create a new Earth
            • Epicurus
              • ''Is God willing to prevent evil but not able to? Then he is not omnipotent''
                • This suggests that if God has the power to prevent evil why doesn't he?
              • Epicurus was an atheist and therefore he went against the existence of God.
              • ''Is he both able, and willing? Then when cometh evil?''
                • This suggests that if God is both able and willing(all powerful and all loving) then where does evil come in? evil shouldn't exist if God is both of these
              • ''Is he neither able to nor willing? Then why call him God?''
                • Clearly if God doesn't prove his attributes then the existence of God is not prove-able; meaning there is no God.
                  • Natural evil is caused by humans (pollution) - due to the fall we created disharmony in nature
                    • the fall; Adam and Eve betray God by eating from the tree of knowledge.
                      • Satan tempts people to commit sin / evil actions
          • Epicurus
            • ''Is God willing to prevent evil but not able to? Then he is not omnipotent''
              • This suggests that if God has the power to prevent evil why doesn't he?
            • Epicurus was an atheist and therefore he went against the existence of God.
            • ''Is he both able, and willing? Then when cometh evil?''
              • This suggests that if God is both able and willing(all powerful and all loving) then where does evil come in? evil shouldn't exist if God is both of these
            • ''Is he neither able to nor willing? Then why call him God?''
              • Clearly if God doesn't prove his attributes then the existence of God is not prove-able; meaning there is no God.

        Comments

        No comments have yet been made

        Similar Religious Studies resources:

        See all Religious Studies resources »See all Christianity resources »