Difference between revisions of "Atheism and the Problem of Evil"
Conservative (Talk | contribs) (→Atheism and its problem of evil) |
Conservative (Talk | contribs) (→Atheism and its problem of evil) |
||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
The fact of evil in the world is one of the very best reasons for rejecting atheism.<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheisms-problem-of-evil Atheism’s “problem of evil”]</ref>}} | The fact of evil in the world is one of the very best reasons for rejecting atheism.<ref>[http://creation.com/atheism#atheisms-problem-of-evil Atheism’s “problem of evil”]</ref>}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Atheism as a cause of evil == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''See:'' [[Moral failings of the atheist population]] | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Revision as of 13:18, February 24, 2015
The problem of evil is a collection of philosophical arguments which claim that the existence of evil in the world contradicts the belief that there exists a God who is both wholly good and omnipotent. [1]
Contents
Defences to the Problem of Evil
Theodicy is the branch of study in theology and philosophy that defends the goodness of God despite the existence of evil. In traditional Christianity and Judaism the book of Job is used to explain the existence of evil. In recent times Christian apologists often cite Alvin Plantinga's free will defense in regards to the logical problem of evil.[2] The work of St. Augustine is also cited in regards to theodicy.[3] Dr. Ron Rhodes of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry states regarding this issue regarding the existence of evil:
| “ | ...it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point which is absolutely good. Otherwise one is like a boat at sea on a cloudy night without a compass (i.e., there would be no way to distinguish north from south without the absolute reference point of the compass needle).
The infinite reference point for distinguishing good from evil can only be found in the person of God, for God alone can exhaust the definition of "absolutely good." If God does not exist, then there are no moral absolutes by which one has the right to judge something (or someone) as being evil. More specifically, if God does not exist, there is no ultimate basis to judge the crimes of Hitler. Seen in this light, the reality of evil actually requires the existence of God, rather than disproving it.[4] |
” |
Atheists, like Albert Einstein, maintain that morality is a matter of social ties and empathy and has nothing to do with fear of punishment or promise of reward.
Atheism and its problem of evil
Creation Ministries International's article on atheism declares:
| “ | Imagine considering the problem of evil and (illogically) concluding that God does not exist—what happens next? Well, you look around the world again and notice that evil still exists and now you do not even have God to blame. Rejecting God does nothing about evil. Thus, atheism does nothing about evil. Of course it does nothing—it cannot do anything and is not supposed to do anything. Atheism is merely an idea and thus, has no volition by which to do anything at all. Indeed, and that is just the point: atheism is an idea, but God is a being who can and does various things about evil: God can condemn it absolutely, God can make provision for redeeming evil, God can abolish evil.
Atheism not only does nothing about evil; atheism actually makes evil even worse. Atheism guarantees that evil is for nothing, it has no greater purpose or meaning; it guarantees no redemption of evil. However, it is inaccurate to state that atheism guarantees that evil is for nothing and has no greater purpose or meaning. This is because in the absolute materialism that atheism implies, evil is very purposeful in that it benefits the evildoer. The evildoer commits evil acts, and as long as they are not caught they evade the judicial systems of this world and simply get away with it, the victim suffers and may suffer for decades while the evildoer enjoyed committing evil deeds. Also it is inaccurate to state that atheism does nothing about evil; it actually makes it go away by pretending that it does not exist. A tsunami that drowns thousands of people is not “evil”; it is a large wave. A hurricane that destroys cities and kills people is not “evil”; it is high winds. An animal, whether human or otherwise, that kills another animal is not “evil”; it is acting according to all that there is; its own will. It may be inconvenient, we may not like it, we may attempt to do something about it, against it, but it is not evil; it just is. The fact of evil in the world is one of the very best reasons for rejecting atheism.[5] |
” |
Atheism as a cause of evil
See: Moral failings of the atheist population
See Also
External links
- Atheism and the problem of evil by Creation Ministries International
- The problem of evil by Dennis McCallum
- Augustine on evil
- Job and the problem of evil
- The problem of evil
Notes
- ↑ J. L. Mackie, "Evil and Omnipotence," Mind, New Series, Vol. 64, No. 254. (Apr., 1955), pp. 200-212. - EVIL AND OMNIPOTENCE
- ↑ Xenos Christian Fellowship - The Problem of Evil
- ↑ Stand to Reason - Augustine on Evil
- ↑ Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries - Strategies for Dialoguing with Atheists
- ↑ Atheism’s “problem of evil”
