Re: problem of evil - to clear things up

"Damien Stanton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> The only plausible defence to the problem of evil is the 'free will
> defence', ie. that the good of having free will outweighs any evil in the
> world.  This is difficult to argue against since it seem like a matter of
> opinion:  does the gift of free will outweigh evil?   Then, the one possible
> answer to the free will defence is the suggestion that God should segregate
> evil people into a secluded region for themselves, thereby protecting
> non-evil people.  Again, this is going to be a matter of opinion.  In one
> sense, this will be constraint on free will:  what if I want to go to this
> secluded place for fun?  But maybe it is a necessary contraint in order to
> minimize evil.  Who knows?  This is where the debate stalemates.
> 
> So there you have it:  problem of evil -> free will defence.   There isn't
> much else to it folks...

It's not so simple.

I question the mind of God because even to this finite being, it is
plainly obvious that an omnipotent being ought to be capable of
anything--including allowing his creations free will and yet all still
remain perfectly good. At least he could have not created those whom
he would have known would not freely live according to his will. And
if he does genuinely want to give us a freely made choice, why
threaten us with damnation? He supposedly gives us the ability to
choose, and then coerces us into doing what he wants.

He either approves of evil / does not care, or he is not all powerful
nor all seeing. Otherwise it seems to be the case that God is not only
allowing evil to happen, but it is in fact his fault. He created men
imperfectly in his divine judgement, and for those imperfections we
are punished in such a grotesque and unforgiving way that any sane,
clear-thinking man would find it utterly appalling to allow.

Most people that can accept these absurdities only do so out of fear.
This is not a loving God, this is a cruel, sadistic God.