Initially this argument was directed to Dr William Lane Craig. However, since I don’t get a response from him as yet, I thought I could maybe get some feedbacks from any atheist, agnostic, theist or anyone who’s genuinely searching for the truth. What’s your thoughts? Hello Dr Craig. I am a Christian and a great admirer of your work on philosophy and theology. Even though you helped me in so many areas and allowing me to be better able to give an answer to everyone who asked a question for the reason I believe. I am still having problems and doubts as it relates to the problem of evil in the world. In your most recent podcast with Neil deGrasse Tyson on God Part 1 January 18, 2015 Dr. Neil deGrasse Tysons influence on pop culture is evident in this recent interview on God and science. I think its at about 17:05 minutes (Im not sure on the specificity) on that podcast with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, he brought up the problem of evil and in specifically natural disasters.. Your main response to the intellectual problem of evil that he alluded to like those (natural disasters) is to say that maybe theres some kind of justification but because we humans are limited.. We cant know for sure whether or not God doesnt have sufficient reasons in allowing certain evil (like natural disasters that sits outside the domain of freewill) to occur. (The burden of proof argument) Does humans limitations eliminate the need for adequate justification for the wrongness of an act? Take for e. g a one year old child who dont have the cognitive ability to understand why his mother would allow him to touch a hot pot just for him to learn that he should not play with the stove. (I guess when the hot pot burns the infant; hell be more convinced/conscious of the consequence of his action.) Or better yet. Imagine the following hypothesis. A guardian who is taking care of a blind man and allows him to stumble down the stairs just for him to learn that a stairs is there so next time hell be more cautious. A deft person who didnt hear the syringe on the police vehicle, so as a result of his limitations (he didnt know that he should get out of the road.) got hit down and later on succumb to his injuries..Look at each case separately. Now because of their limitations, they were all unable to prevent/escape the predicament. Same as in natural disasters (like hurricane, tornadoes, volcanoes etc...) Because we are trapped on this tiny spic of dust called earth, ( some persons because of their geographical location) they have no way of preventing/escaping such disaster. So in other words, because on this earth and (more specifically) theyre limited to their particular geographical location, preventing/escaping such a predicament would proven to be futile. As humans, we are limited in space, time knowledge etc... As a result of our physical and mental limitations. Is it right for God to allow certain evil to happen to us (maybe because it might work out good in the end) or just because theres a ripple chain of events that is beyond our human limitations? What if it doesnt work out good in the end? Arent we Christians being a little too speculative when we assume that there might be some ultimate good? both atheist and theist alike are speculating whether are not theyll be sufficient reason in the future to justify a particular act/evil (and because of our limitations) theres no way neither of us can be concretely sure 100% that the chain of events will work out in our favor. As a result, none of us cant speak definitively. Consider the following argument... 1. As humans, we have natural limitations ( e. g time, space, mental, etc...) 2. It is unfair/unjust for someone (God) to expect us to perform above our limitations. 3. God does expect us to perform above our limitations. 4. Therefore, God is unfair/unjust. Based on my argument, I dont think any reasonable person would deny premise one (1) so therefore Ill move on to defend premise two (2) and three (3)... if Im successful in my defense of premise two (2) and three (3), then the conclusion follows logically that God is unfair/unjust. Dr Craig, it is ludicrous for you to paint for the blind or sing for the deaf, because their limitations will hinder/prohibit their appreciation for your craft. (It’s like talking to a tree) If God knows that we are limited then why does he permit such atrocities natural disasters etc. and expect us not to be rebellious and full of resentment for him when we cannot know his sufficient reasons for allowing it to happen? How does God expect us to react to evil? Life is 4% of what happened to you and 96% of how you react to what has happened to you. Therefore, no matter how great/evil the situation maybe, it’s our reaction to the situation that will ultimately determine the end result. (Heaven or hell) The mere fact that we have these limitations and he (God) expect us to react good in spite of the bad being done to us, shows that God is unfair/unjust because he expect us to perform above our limitations. (It is just natural to feel angry and resentful whenever harm as being done to us) So now I guess you can understand why an atheist would say that an all loving God wouldnt permit such things... sometimes it is mainly because we don’t know the reason for the evil God permit, why we react the way we do. (Our ability/limitations not to know; that in itself is a torture sometimes) We (as human beings) cannot perform above our capacity/nature as humans. E. g it is unfair/unjust to put a fish to climb a tree or a donkey to swim. (They cant perform above their limitations) If a man two year old daughter dies from cancer, why would you wrong him for hating/saying that theres no God? He is limited in knowledge so he cant acquire sufficient reasons to justify her death. And also Im wondering if its possible to justify wrong/evil act with sufficient reasons. No matter the amount of reasons, isnt there something really wrong with the evil itself? Just for the mere fact that it is evil, its wrong. (With or without justification)... I dont think a wrong action can be justified just because you had a right motive for doing it... (Having a right motive to do something wrong) So in other words, its like God is saying, the reason why I kill you in this tsunami is because I want to prevent you from harming someone in the future?? Honestly Im having real problems getting my mind around these problems of evil scenarios... Would highly appreciate your thoughts on this kind of reasoning that Im having. You are my hero. I feed myself on your knowledge every day. I pray Gods richest blessings on your ministry. Jerome
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:04:44 +0000
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