Problem of Evil and Personal Beliefs Concerning God - Essay Example

Problem of Evil The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate two arguments relating to the problem of evil. The paperwill first discuss the arguments from the problem of evil. Then it will provide counterarguments. Another issue that the paper will address is my belief as regards this problem. The Logical Argument Logical problem consists in the consideration that the existence of evil human beings experience questions the existence of the perfect God (Michael 320). This is because some people ask why God permits various bad and horrible things to happen. The question is viewed in the angle that if God has all the power and ability he is said to have, why is he not capable of preventing all the evil that affects the well-being of people. Furthermore, a group of people that tend to question the existence of God asks if he is truly morally perfect; and if he is, why does not he do anything in relation to controlling the bad things that happen. These questions conflict with the firm belief of the orthodox theist. The theist believes there is a perfect God who is in control of everything that happens in this world (Michael 324). The other significant issue employed in the logical problem argument is that it is impossible for some of the statements to be true. One such statement indicates that God is omnipotent. This statement simply means that God is all-powerful (Michael 324). The other statement that cause question is that God is omniscient (Michael 324). This statement means that God is all-knowing. Moreover, another statement that tends to raise various questions states that God is perfectly good (Michael 324). The final statement that develops various questions on this issue is that evil exists. Some people in the society support the above statements, but they tend to raise various contradictions in relation to the logical problem argument (Michael 326). One of the arguments says that if God was truly omnipotent, evil would not exist. This is because, if he was omnipotent, he would have all the required power to prevent all the evils from happening. However, it is evident that the world is full of evil. The other contradiction that emerges from the above statements is that if God is truly omniscient, all the evils that happen in the world should not be happening. This is because he would have the power of controlling them. The other contradiction that emerges states that if God is perfectly good, he is supposed to play a crucial role in making sure that people he created do not suffer. This simply means that he would not allow any evil to happen. Moreover, the other contradiction states that, if evil truly exists, there is a high probability to the claim that the abovementioned statements are not true. This means that God is not omnipotent, omniscient, or perfectly good. On the other hand, theists argue that people perform evil because they choose to do so on the basis of the free will inherent in them; and, as God needs people to love him – that is, to do good in his name – on the basis of their free choice, he does not force does them to do good – he does not need robots. So, universe and humans have been created as good by God; afterwards, it was the free will that, having chosen to disobey God, brought evil into man and the world. The Evidential Argument The evidential argument supports the fact there is some known evidence of evil that truly indicates that God does not exist (Rowe & Nick 163). However, unlike the logical argument based on the contradiction between the existence of evil and the existence of God, evidential argument takes a different move. The argument tries to demonstrate there might be no God considering the existence of various forms and kinds of evil (Rowe & Nick 166). Moreover, the evidential argument takes into consideration for how long evil has been happening on the Earth. Various issues related to evil illustrate there are things beyond human control (Murray n.p). This means that human beings perform unacceptable things, and they are not able to control the force making them to do evil. The argument also supports the consideration that, if God really existed, he would not allow evils things to happen. However, theists illustrate and believe that God cannot allow evil to happen. Through the evidential argument, philosophers manage to raise some contradictions regarding the existence of God. The following is one of the main questions: if God allows various individuals to commit sins, why does not he restore things the way they were and stop evil from continuing to happen (Murray n.p). The other issue is that if God existed, would he not be able to prevent those that believe in him from experiencing the consequences and impact of evil. Through this argument, some of the philosophers conclude that God does not exist (Murray n.p). The main counterargument of theists against the abovementioned considerations is again the existence of free will. God does not want to restore the things the way they were because a person has to decide it for himself. If the paradise was restored, who guarantees the first fall would not happen again. As to the inner force making people do evil, theists argue that this force is the illness, the consequence of the original fall, which appeared as a result of a man turning from the will of God and, therefore, from God himself. As God, according to theists, is life, turning from his will is turning from life and, consequently, turning to death, which has caused the first humans to become sinful – that is, to experience internal change the results of which are now present in all people. Personal Beliefs Concerning God I personally believe that God exists because there is enough evidence to support this fact. One of the reasons for my belief is the ultimate authority presented in the Bible on what is good and evil. Every human being has the chance and ability to choose between good and evil. However, non-Christians fail to demonstrate their ultimate authority. The other reason that makes me believe in the existence of God is that he does not contradict himself on issues concerning moral values. Immorality and evil mean acting against the command and will of God. It is evident that individuals who commit evil are judged by their conscience. The power behind this conscience comes from God. Therefore, it is evident that God exists. People will keep coming-up with a number of arguments that illustrate that God does not exist. However, it will be difficult to present information against the reason that I have presented on my belief in God. Works Cited Lacewing, Michael. Philosophy for AS. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2008. Print. Murray, Michael. Nature Red in Tooth and Claw: Theism and the Problem of Animal Suffering. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. Rowe, William & Nick Trakakis. William L. Rowe on Philosophy of Religion: Selected Writings. Aldershot u.a.: Ashgate, 2007. Print. Read More