Technically there are three answers. The first is that God does not exist. The second is that God is not a personal God, and therefore, does not care about you. The third is that God exists, but lets evil exist so that we have a reason to believe in more than humans. An anoying fourth, that I don't consider a true argument, free will. This is not a true argument, because this was supposedly given to us by God, and his creation was good. This contradicts itself and can be thrown out accordingly.
The obvious flaw in Epicurus riddle is the "able but not willing" part. It ignores that God may have a higher reason to time his destruction of evil to when chooses to destroy it. It is also ignores that evil will be permanently and completely destroyed on Judgment Day. So God is able, is willing, and will destroy all evil.
What a cop out! It honestly sounds like a joke. Oh, sure, god can destroy evil, but not right now. In good time, my friend, in good time. Is Wednesday good for you? Oh, that's right, you have an appointment Wednesday. Gee, what a shame. Well, I'll schedule this Judgement Day thing another time.
Judgment day sounds like a pretty good day for it. Sounds like God will put on quite a display that day. Your riddle is contingent on the idea that God is either able but not willing or willing but not able. It seems to totally over look the obvious "both willing and able" which is the correct answer. God is both willing and able to destroy evil and he will.
I take it you have no problem with an ambulance arriving long after the sick person has died or the fire department long after the house has burned to the ground. I do not think you realize that you are only speaking of god PUNISHING evil rather than actually stopping it; they are two very different things.
Aren't we all going to die? Isn't the earth and all the houses on it going to be burned up when the sun ages into an older star? Why are those two things of such importance to you, yet preparing for eternal life so unimportant? Isn't it circular for you to not believe in eternal life because you see fire departments arriving late, and believe fire departments arriving late is so tragic because you don't believe in eternal life?
I have always liked to use metaphor and example to explain my opinions but this response may have cured me of that. I really don't know what to say in response to the suggestion that I do not believe in god because a metaphorical fire department arrived late.
However, I will ask this: what in the bible says the sun is going to age into an older star?
Nothing. That's what science tells us will happen and what we see happen with other stars. The point is that worrying about possessions on earth and worrying about dying when you know it is inevitable you will die, but doing nothing to plan for and position yourself for eternal life is a mistake.
I don't worry about dying. I know it will happen but I am too busy living life to worry about it. That is how I "prepare" for death; I try to live my life so that in the end I will have no regrets. Now, I know you will say I will indeed have regrets because I did not properly prepare for the big trial that is awaiting me at the end but until I get first hand information rather than second hand fluff from the "believers" I will tend to discount that.
Those who believe in evil will make it so. The "evil" comes from people, and typically by people that believe in god. In America, it is still legal to hit children (which is violence), circumcision (also violent), as well as humiliate children (still quite common), and teach them that pleasure is evil. "Evil" itself is just mental illness, and it occurs from societies that treat their children inappropriately. Illegal violence is just a response to the legal violence.
is it because god has multiple personalities? i think that's what the bible supports.
westfalla 3 years ago
Technically there are three answers. The first is that God does not exist. The second is that God is not a personal God, and therefore, does not care about you. The third is that God exists, but lets evil exist so that we have a reason to believe in more than humans. An anoying fourth, that I don't consider a true argument, free will. This is not a true argument, because this was supposedly given to us by God, and his creation was good. This contradicts itself and can be thrown out accordingly.
westfalla 3 years ago
think "Gordian knot".
tomliordos 3 years ago
Ye old there is no evil argument?
westfalla 3 years ago
Pll, there is an answer to the riddle.
None of you have got it yet, I`ll give it another week or so in case someone finally gets it.
tomliordos 3 years ago
lol, old, silly, nonsensical argument :-)
WunCoolTheist 3 years ago
you talking about the bible?
tomliordos 3 years ago
Religions get around the problem of evil through such doctrinal excuses as free wil and, original sin'. For example:
Islam: If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
Judaism: Why does this shit always happen to us?
Catholicism: If shit happens, you deserve it.
Rastafarianism: Let's smoke this shit!
Hinduism: This shit has happened before.
Atheism: I can't believe this shit!
ChoofMonster 3 years ago
That`s the funniest thing I heard all week.
And so true.
tomliordos 3 years ago
yeah,uhm,...back to earth now,there is no flaw,theologeans have tried to get around epicurus in the same way for centuries.
By your admission god is bound by circumstances and time tables,hardly Omnipotent.
But thanks for commenting.
tomliordos 3 years ago
The obvious flaw in Epicurus riddle is the "able but not willing" part. It ignores that God may have a higher reason to time his destruction of evil to when chooses to destroy it. It is also ignores that evil will be permanently and completely destroyed on Judgment Day. So God is able, is willing, and will destroy all evil.
sarabellumm 3 years ago
What a cop out! It honestly sounds like a joke. Oh, sure, god can destroy evil, but not right now. In good time, my friend, in good time. Is Wednesday good for you? Oh, that's right, you have an appointment Wednesday. Gee, what a shame. Well, I'll schedule this Judgement Day thing another time.
Dramphooey 3 years ago
"Is Wednesday good for you"
Judgment day sounds like a pretty good day for it. Sounds like God will put on quite a display that day. Your riddle is contingent on the idea that God is either able but not willing or willing but not able. It seems to totally over look the obvious "both willing and able" which is the correct answer. God is both willing and able to destroy evil and he will.
sarabellumm 3 years ago
I take it you have no problem with an ambulance arriving long after the sick person has died or the fire department long after the house has burned to the ground. I do not think you realize that you are only speaking of god PUNISHING evil rather than actually stopping it; they are two very different things.
Dramphooey 3 years ago
Aren't we all going to die? Isn't the earth and all the houses on it going to be burned up when the sun ages into an older star? Why are those two things of such importance to you, yet preparing for eternal life so unimportant? Isn't it circular for you to not believe in eternal life because you see fire departments arriving late, and believe fire departments arriving late is so tragic because you don't believe in eternal life?
sarabellumm 3 years ago
I have always liked to use metaphor and example to explain my opinions but this response may have cured me of that. I really don't know what to say in response to the suggestion that I do not believe in god because a metaphorical fire department arrived late.
However, I will ask this: what in the bible says the sun is going to age into an older star?
Dramphooey 3 years ago
Nothing. That's what science tells us will happen and what we see happen with other stars. The point is that worrying about possessions on earth and worrying about dying when you know it is inevitable you will die, but doing nothing to plan for and position yourself for eternal life is a mistake.
sarabellumm 3 years ago
I don't worry about dying. I know it will happen but I am too busy living life to worry about it. That is how I "prepare" for death; I try to live my life so that in the end I will have no regrets. Now, I know you will say I will indeed have regrets because I did not properly prepare for the big trial that is awaiting me at the end but until I get first hand information rather than second hand fluff from the "believers" I will tend to discount that.
Dramphooey 3 years ago
Those who believe in evil will make it so. The "evil" comes from people, and typically by people that believe in god. In America, it is still legal to hit children (which is violence), circumcision (also violent), as well as humiliate children (still quite common), and teach them that pleasure is evil. "Evil" itself is just mental illness, and it occurs from societies that treat their children inappropriately. Illegal violence is just a response to the legal violence.
ScottJanssen 3 years ago
well then he is malevolent.
you are the one who is overlooking.
tomliordos 3 years ago