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Problem of evil - Coggle Diagram
Problem of evil
Hick: epistemic distance
The only way for humans to be morally and spiritually perfect is if we are at an epistemic distance from God
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This ensures that any good decisions we make are made purely with a good intention, rather than in fear of punishment
Analogy
For example, with the story of Job
He was faithful to God, despite being tested through suffering
Weakness
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So, God probably doesn't exist because of this evil
Overcoming
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Even though people suffer in this life, we will all be saved from sin and will be together with God in heaven
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Overcoming
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For example, in general, we know that innocent baby deers are regularly burned alive, even if we don't know when and where
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Logical problem
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Epicurus' dilemma
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Since evil exists, there are 4 options as to how God interacts with that evil (able and willing, not able and willing, able and not willing, or not able and not willing)\
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So, if evil exists, it is impossible for God to exist
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Evidential problem
Logically possible for God to exist if evil exists, but evil makes it very likely that God does not exist
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Rowe
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An omnipotent, wholly good being would be likely to prevent purposeless suffering
Thus, unlikely that an omnipotent, omniscient, wholly good being exists
Case of Bambi
In some distant forest, lightening strikes a dead tree, resulting in a forest fire
A fawn is trapped in the fire, burned and in agony
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