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The Problem of Evil, Atheist Style. (210)
After our introductions of the Podcast Host Deputies, Keith and Nathan, we turn to our familiar segments.
Meet the Hosts to learn about Nathan’s activity with his fan fiction podcasts. Keith shares about a coming visit from the grand kids.
One project that’s of special concern is the Hines Alumni. Funds are needed to keep the web site, and newsletter going for another year. Contribute through the PayPal Pool for Hines Alumni. The time sensitive goal will go away on the deadline of May 7. Visit, contribute, and share on social media. You’ll be helping to support blind veterans in staying in touch, and encouraging them in daily life. If the time sensitive link no longer works, try visiting the site, and look for ongoing ways to contribute to the cause.
Headlines. Keith tries to trip up Nathan on telling the difference between real headlines, and those from the Babylon Bee. Real or not, Keith takes time to wonder what the story was, without actually reading any of the stories. Corpses in unusual places, mom’s with drug problems, and more absurdities.
Main Topic
Some time ago we featured an explanation of why there is evil in the world, if God is such a good god. Today, we’ve gathered answers based on a bulletin board where you can, “Ask an Atheist.”
The basic question: “How do atheists explain evil/suffering?”
The more detailed question relates how one woman sought answers outside the Christian faith she grew up in, and after unfulfilling answers, she came full circle on her faith. Still, she’s giving this panel of atheists the chance to offer their best reasons for Why there is evil in the world.
Answers include such remarks as:
* I don’t have any expectation that a world could exist without suffering.
* It’s simply not a problem for me in that I understand that it’s part of life.
* The best thing we can do is work to combat it.
* Evil is a word that describes certain human acts.
* Suffering happens when people are hurt either physically, emotionally or both
* No supernatural explanation needed.
The age-old argument from Epicurus is put forth:
* “Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
* Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
* Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
* Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
The statements from Epicurus prove nothing about where evil comes from. Only that it exists. It doesn’t even prove that God doesn’t exist. Only that Epicurus doesn’t like the way God responds to the problem of evil in the world. Honestly, the final statement raises a deeper question. If we have a supernatural entity in charge who doesn’t care about us, and can’t do anything about it if he did care: Why is there good in the world? Why is there nothing but evil?
Our friendly atheist responders replied with human sympathies to tragedies like that of the terrorism on 9/11. Like everyone, we were horrified, sickened, and wished we could all have been there to offer comfort. The best that could be offered is that evil stemmed from misguided individuals, with poor motives.
There is an acknowledgement that, when it comes to natural tragedies, sometimes stuff just happens. You just need to get over it, take comfort in that fact of life, and move along. True, but it doesn’t make any real attempt to give an answer to where or why evil comes from. I have to agree in that I’m more concerned with moral evil that one person inflicts on another, not so much the natural order of events in our natural, material world. But I don’t find comfort in settling on the reason that sometim...
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By Keith Heltsley and Nathaniel D. Caldwell
5
22 ratings
After our introductions of the Podcast Host Deputies, Keith and Nathan, we turn to our familiar segments.
Meet the Hosts to learn about Nathan’s activity with his fan fiction podcasts. Keith shares about a coming visit from the grand kids.
One project that’s of special concern is the Hines Alumni. Funds are needed to keep the web site, and newsletter going for another year. Contribute through the PayPal Pool for Hines Alumni. The time sensitive goal will go away on the deadline of May 7. Visit, contribute, and share on social media. You’ll be helping to support blind veterans in staying in touch, and encouraging them in daily life. If the time sensitive link no longer works, try visiting the site, and look for ongoing ways to contribute to the cause.
Headlines. Keith tries to trip up Nathan on telling the difference between real headlines, and those from the Babylon Bee. Real or not, Keith takes time to wonder what the story was, without actually reading any of the stories. Corpses in unusual places, mom’s with drug problems, and more absurdities.
Main Topic
Some time ago we featured an explanation of why there is evil in the world, if God is such a good god. Today, we’ve gathered answers based on a bulletin board where you can, “Ask an Atheist.”
The basic question: “How do atheists explain evil/suffering?”
The more detailed question relates how one woman sought answers outside the Christian faith she grew up in, and after unfulfilling answers, she came full circle on her faith. Still, she’s giving this panel of atheists the chance to offer their best reasons for Why there is evil in the world.
Answers include such remarks as:
* I don’t have any expectation that a world could exist without suffering.
* It’s simply not a problem for me in that I understand that it’s part of life.
* The best thing we can do is work to combat it.
* Evil is a word that describes certain human acts.
* Suffering happens when people are hurt either physically, emotionally or both
* No supernatural explanation needed.
The age-old argument from Epicurus is put forth:
* “Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
* Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
* Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
* Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
The statements from Epicurus prove nothing about where evil comes from. Only that it exists. It doesn’t even prove that God doesn’t exist. Only that Epicurus doesn’t like the way God responds to the problem of evil in the world. Honestly, the final statement raises a deeper question. If we have a supernatural entity in charge who doesn’t care about us, and can’t do anything about it if he did care: Why is there good in the world? Why is there nothing but evil?
Our friendly atheist responders replied with human sympathies to tragedies like that of the terrorism on 9/11. Like everyone, we were horrified, sickened, and wished we could all have been there to offer comfort. The best that could be offered is that evil stemmed from misguided individuals, with poor motives.
There is an acknowledgement that, when it comes to natural tragedies, sometimes stuff just happens. You just need to get over it, take comfort in that fact of life, and move along. True, but it doesn’t make any real attempt to give an answer to where or why evil comes from. I have to agree in that I’m more concerned with moral evil that one person inflicts on another, not so much the natural order of events in our natural, material world. But I don’t find comfort in settling on the reason that sometim...