God and the nature of evil
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>Wow, very impressive! Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>pdohara wrote:
God created evil in the lounge
I thought he did it in his workshop?
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo> -
This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>pdohara wrote:
evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good
I disagree with this. I believe the absense of good is apathy: someone who lacks the will to do anything but sit on their ass and watch Wife Swap is neither good nor evil. Evil is an active thing; just as hate is not merely the absense of love, you cannot say evil is the absense of good. The monster who killed the girls at the Amish school had something seriously wrong with him that went way beyond "not good." Of course, God didn't create any of it (including evil, as you said), but that's because there is no God. At least, not a God in the form we've been led by the nose to believe. But that's outside the scope of this discussion.
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>You make no sense, and contradict yourself (like a well known piece of literature from the dark ages that you probably read).
pdohara wrote:
Evil is the absence of good,
pdohara wrote:
God did not create evil
If evil is the absence of good, then God created evil as the default, and created humans to be by default, evil (and deserving of eternal torture according to the Bible). And according to your religion, since the only way to escape from eternal torment is to "get saved", what about all the people from other countries that have not heard of christianity, does that mean that God created those people for nothing else than to be tortured in hell eternally? If the teachings of your religion are true, then God is an evil god, but yet you say he is a "God of love".
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
/*\== /*\== /*\==
<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>pdohara wrote:
God did not create evil as evil is not a thing.
Evil is as much as "thing" as good is.
pdohara wrote:
Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God.
I disagree. Evil is the opposite of good. The world is too complicated to be simplified in terms of either good or evil. There are many shades of gray, which can cause something to not be good and not evil simultaneously. Here's an example: You're driving home after work to feed and take care of your children. On the way there, you witness a car accident in which there may be people who need help. Classify in terms of good or evil these possible reactions: 1. You stop your car and rush there to help, while your children remain at home uncared for. 2. You don't stop and continue on your way home, thinking that your children are more important than a bunch of strangers. 3. You stop your car and start crying uncontrollably from the trajedy those people have just endured. 4. You stop, grab a gun from your glove box, and proceed to shoot all those involved to put them out of their misery. 5. You stop, quickly walk over to where the victims are, and proceed to steal their wallets and purses before dashing away.
pdohara wrote:
God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it.
OK, but by allowing it to happen, isn't God an accomplice to it?
pdohara wrote:
God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice.
And? Life would be boring? God would not be thoroughly entertained? Aren't we supposed to only make "good" choices? Do you think God would hate it if humanity were to somehow agree to only do "good" things? Is there limited space in Heaven? Alvaro
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. - Aristotle
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pdohara wrote:
evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good
I disagree with this. I believe the absense of good is apathy: someone who lacks the will to do anything but sit on their ass and watch Wife Swap is neither good nor evil. Evil is an active thing; just as hate is not merely the absense of love, you cannot say evil is the absense of good. The monster who killed the girls at the Amish school had something seriously wrong with him that went way beyond "not good." Of course, God didn't create any of it (including evil, as you said), but that's because there is no God. At least, not a God in the form we've been led by the nose to believe. But that's outside the scope of this discussion.
David Kentley wrote:
Evil is an active thing; just as hate is not merely the absense of love, you cannot say evil is the absense of good. The monster who killed the girls at the Amish school had something seriously wrong with him that went way beyond "not good."
I agree with that. Apathy is distance from good while evil is opposition to it.
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>'Morning, phohara. With all due respect, what makes you think you're qualified to work as an apologist for God? A tad presumptuous, don't you think?
every night, i kneel at the foot of my bed and thank the Great Overseeing Politicians for protecting my freedoms by reducing their number, as if they were deer in a state park. -- Chris Losinger, Online Poker Players?
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pdohara wrote:
God did not create evil as evil is not a thing.
Evil is as much as "thing" as good is.
pdohara wrote:
Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God.
I disagree. Evil is the opposite of good. The world is too complicated to be simplified in terms of either good or evil. There are many shades of gray, which can cause something to not be good and not evil simultaneously. Here's an example: You're driving home after work to feed and take care of your children. On the way there, you witness a car accident in which there may be people who need help. Classify in terms of good or evil these possible reactions: 1. You stop your car and rush there to help, while your children remain at home uncared for. 2. You don't stop and continue on your way home, thinking that your children are more important than a bunch of strangers. 3. You stop your car and start crying uncontrollably from the trajedy those people have just endured. 4. You stop, grab a gun from your glove box, and proceed to shoot all those involved to put them out of their misery. 5. You stop, quickly walk over to where the victims are, and proceed to steal their wallets and purses before dashing away.
pdohara wrote:
God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it.
OK, but by allowing it to happen, isn't God an accomplice to it?
pdohara wrote:
God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice.
And? Life would be boring? God would not be thoroughly entertained? Aren't we supposed to only make "good" choices? Do you think God would hate it if humanity were to somehow agree to only do "good" things? Is there limited space in Heaven? Alvaro
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. - Aristotle
Alvaro Mendez wrote:
Classify in terms of good or evil these possible reactions:
You live in a society, and depending on level of morality of the society you find yourself in, you have rules written and unwritten. My answers, based on my society and believe: 1. good, not different from a doctor leaving a headache to treat who involved in accident, or leaving your sinking bike to save a sinking child. 2. evil, see above. 3. evil, what will you have wished if you were the one involved in the accident - do unto others... 4. ...you need an answer? :confused: 5. ...depends on what your society calls stealing :confused:
Alvaro Mendez wrote:
OK, but by allowing it to happen, isn't God an accomplice to it?
If God needed robots he will have created them. Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
/*\== /*\== /*\==
<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>pdohara wrote:
God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Looks like you've got things all sorted out then mate, have a good one. But are really sure "free will" exists? Do a Wiki on free will and see both sides.
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
/*\== /*\== /*\==
<ooo> <ooo> <ooo> -
Wow, very impressive! Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
Being a Christian, how do you rectify agreement with the above and the Bible's account of Jesus' temptation by the devil (an active form of evil)? Or do you interpret that as an allegorical account of an internal battle of faith?
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'Morning, phohara. With all due respect, what makes you think you're qualified to work as an apologist for God? A tad presumptuous, don't you think?
every night, i kneel at the foot of my bed and thank the Great Overseeing Politicians for protecting my freedoms by reducing their number, as if they were deer in a state park. -- Chris Losinger, Online Poker Players?
Shog9 wrote:
With all due respect, what makes you think you're qualified to work as an apologist for God?
It depends on your relationship with God, if He is a Father to him...he is only giving an attribute (of his Father) that he is aware of. Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
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Being a Christian, how do you rectify agreement with the above and the Bible's account of Jesus' temptation by the devil (an active form of evil)? Or do you interpret that as an allegorical account of an internal battle of faith?
I think a careful read of his post gives the answer...he is reacting to "God created evil". In line with this, the devil (an evil spirit) is not created by God as evil, just like us. Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
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This is a response to the comment that God created evil in the lounge[^] God did not create evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good, or the absence of God. God limits himself to allow evil, but he did not create it. God allows evil so people can have free will. Free will is the expression of choice. If there were only good there would be no choice. Getting back to evil not being a thing, think of it like darkness. Scientists don't study darkness, because it does not exist. Light exists, has properties, can be studied. What we call darkness is simply an area where there is little or no light. Likewise evil is the absence of good.
Tanks for your support
Pat O
Blog_ _ _
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<ooo> <ooo> <ooo>That has got to be the stupidest shit I ever heard. I suppose you have a direct connection to god and/or you are a biblical scholar?
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Wow, very impressive! Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
Paul Selormey wrote:
Wow, very impressive!
Looks like you can fool some of the sheeple all of the time...
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That has got to be the stupidest shit I ever heard. I suppose you have a direct connection to god and/or you are a biblical scholar?
I have a direct connection to Led Zeppelin.
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I have a direct connection to Led Zeppelin.
Red Stateler wrote:
I have a direct connection to Led Zeppelin.
Me too. God forbid we're related somehow. That would be evil - oh wait...that would be the absense of good! :rolleyes:
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pdohara wrote:
evil as evil is not a thing. Evil is the absence of good
I disagree with this. I believe the absense of good is apathy: someone who lacks the will to do anything but sit on their ass and watch Wife Swap is neither good nor evil. Evil is an active thing; just as hate is not merely the absense of love, you cannot say evil is the absense of good. The monster who killed the girls at the Amish school had something seriously wrong with him that went way beyond "not good." Of course, God didn't create any of it (including evil, as you said), but that's because there is no God. At least, not a God in the form we've been led by the nose to believe. But that's outside the scope of this discussion.
David Kentley wrote:
I disagree with this. I believe the absense of good is apathy: someone who lacks the will to do anything but sit on their ass and watch Wife Swap is neither good nor evil.
Your illustration lacks substance; "someone who lacks the will to do anything..." does not explain completely any case. Does that means he never works, but eats and pays the bill for the show he/she watches? Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
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Alvaro Mendez wrote:
Classify in terms of good or evil these possible reactions:
You live in a society, and depending on level of morality of the society you find yourself in, you have rules written and unwritten. My answers, based on my society and believe: 1. good, not different from a doctor leaving a headache to treat who involved in accident, or leaving your sinking bike to save a sinking child. 2. evil, see above. 3. evil, what will you have wished if you were the one involved in the accident - do unto others... 4. ...you need an answer? :confused: 5. ...depends on what your society calls stealing :confused:
Alvaro Mendez wrote:
OK, but by allowing it to happen, isn't God an accomplice to it?
If God needed robots he will have created them. Best regards, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
Was my reply to you considered good or evil? :rolleyes:
Paul Selormey wrote:
If God needed robots he will have created them.
It's practically impossible to argue with blind faith. You have zero proof that God didn't create robots because he didn't need them, just like I have zero proof that God killed all dinosaurs because they were ugly. In fact, we have zero proof that God's nature is just as you or anyone else describes it. As humans, we often have a tough time deciphering the true motives and intentions of other humans, and here are people pretending to know the nature of something they've never perceived, and that supposedly is also very different from us. Alvaro
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. - Aristotle