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Do theodicies explain why God allows evil in the world? Do theodicies explain why God allows evil in the world?
Yes, theodicies explain the existence of an all-powerful, benevolent God Yes, theodicies explain the existence of an all-powerful, benevolent God
Yes, theodicies explain that God allows people the free will to commit evil Yes, theodicies explain that God allows people the free will to commit evil
Yes, evil occurs as the absence of good and God is testing us. Yes, evil occurs as the absence of good and God is testing us.
No, a good God would not allow evil No, a good God would not allow evil
No, the opposite: the existence of evil disproves the existence of God No, the opposite: the existence of evil disproves the existence of God
We don't know God’s plan - evil might have a higher purpose We don't know God’s plan - evil might have a higher purpose
God the Creator is the only perfect being in all of existence God the Creator is the only perfect being in all of existence
Theodicies explain a loving, all powerful, benevolent God Theodicies explain a loving, all powerful, benevolent God
The free will defence claims that evil is caused by human beings The free will defence claims that evil is caused by human beings
Humans have free will Humans have free will
God needs evil for an authentic relationship with humanity God needs evil for an authentic relationship with humanity
God didn’t create evil but we need evil to see God’s love God didn’t create evil but we need evil to see God’s love
Theodicies explain suffering as evil allowing personal growth Theodicies explain suffering as evil allowing personal growth
Evil acts as a litmus test checking mankind's loyalty to God Evil acts as a litmus test checking mankind's loyalty to God
Evil proves the existence of Satan as a nemesis to an omnibenevolent God Evil proves the existence of Satan as a nemesis to an omnibenevolent God
God is not benevolent God is not benevolent
The only explanation for evil is that there is no God The only explanation for evil is that there is no God
Debate Mini Map

Do theodicies explain why God allows evil in the world?
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Yes, evil occurs as the absence of good and God is testing us.

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God needs evil for an authentic relationship with humanity

God needs evil to offer an alternative to his love. Without a viable alternative, humans cannot choose God's love
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Context

Without evil, humans would have no choice but to love God. Humans need a choice between good and bad to choose "good". Humans need to choose "good "to have an authentic relationship with God. Without evil, there would be no choice and no authentic relationship.

The Argument

God needs evil to establish an authentic relationship with humanity. If there was no evil on earth, humans would have no choice between doing good and doing evil deeds. They would have no choice but to love God and their omnipotence and benevolence.[1] By ordaining evil, God can establish an authentic relationship with humanity. Humans choose "good" in the face of evil. Therefore, when they choose to love God, they are doing so because they want to, not because there are no other options.

Counter arguments

Evil also encompasses natural evil (caused by natural phenomena such as disease, earthquakes, and floods).[2] This does not affect the quality of any relationship. People don’t “choose” their relationship with God. It is largely dependent on their upbringing, their parent’s religious choices, the influence of their peers, and the people they meet and interact with. Finally, if God ordained evil to establish an authentic relationship with humanity, how can we explain animal suffering and evil acts committed against animals?[3] How can it explain suffering and evils committed against those that have not had the opportunity to choose to resist temptation? Children who die from diseases before they are able to choose to love God or choose to resist evil have had no opportunity to build an authentic relationship with God.

Premises

[P1] To have an authentic relationship with humankind, humans must choose to love God. [P2] To make a choice, there must be multiple options. [P3] Evil provides an alternative option to loving God. [P4] Therefore, God needs evil to provide humans with a choice.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Most people who have a relationship with God did not choose God in any real sense. [Rejecting P3] Some people do evil things out of necessity, not choice.

References

  1. https://www.compellingtruth.org/what-is-theodicy.html
  2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/problem-of-evil
  3. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/#IndIndVerEviArgEvi

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Friday, 27 Mar 2020 at 06:45 UTC

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