Evil And Suffering Flashcards
What does omniscient/omnipresent mean?
All seeing/knowing
What does omnipotent mean?
All powerful
What does benevolent mean?
All loving
What is the devil?
the being that some theists believe causes humans to be evil
What is free will?
the belief that humans are able to make their own choices and can choose whether or not to do bad things
What is soul making?
the belief that evil exists to make humans realise how good life is- without evil and suffering we would not know what good is
What is evil?
a deliberate action of humans that causes people to suffer
What is karma?
the Hindu belief that what you do in the world will come back to you- either in this life or after reincarnation
What is the problem of evil?
1) God is able to prevent evil, but cannot- God is NOT all-powerful
2) God can stop evil and chooses not to- God is NOT all-loving
3) God can stop evil in the world-There would be no evil, but there IS! God does NOT exist
What are the two different types of evil and an example of each?
Natural evil-Tsunamis
Moral evil- murder
What is natural evil?
Suffering that is caused by nature and it outside of human control.
What is moral evil?
Suffering causes by people
How do Christians think evil first came into this is world?
God made everything perfect. Evil came in through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. When Satan tempted them to eat the forbidden “tree of knowledge o good and evil” they realised they had the freedom to chose between right an wrong and would now be responsible for their own actions. When people rebel against God’s laws, evil results.
How does Hindus believe evil is in this world?
That evil is part of the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. God is like the sun-all light and no darkness- so God is not the source of evil. Just as people cast a shadow when they turn away from the sun, evil is a sort of absence of God that takes hold when they turn their backs on God.
Christians defend God against POE- Free will
Is God interfered with people every time they did something that would causes harm, we would be like “puppets of God” without any control. Christians believe God has sown people how to live. When people make bad decisions THEY cause evil, not God
Christians defend God against POE- Soul Making
Irenaeus -God created evil in order for us to learn from it. We were all born with an immature soul and by experiencing evil our soul can improve. Mature souls=goes to heaven
Christians defend against POE- St Augustine
Evil is not a “thing” but something that lacks goodness. Someone who does evil simply lacks goodness, God is not responsible for evil ah he does not create it. This doesnt prove why innocent people suffer
Why does evil and suffering happen? 5
1) Free will
2) Impersonal force
3) People-human nature
4) People-psychological phenomenon
5) devil
How does an impersonal force cause evil?
It takes over people and makes them act irrationally. People know they should avoid evil but it pulls them in and makes them do evil things.
How does human nature cause evil?
People will give in to greed, prejudice or hatred
How does a psychological phenomenon cause evil?
People are influenced by their backgrounds, genes or peers
Give an example of how the devil has caused evil?
Tricking Eve
How does Jesus help Christians to respond to suffering?
Jesus was crucified which involved suffering. Many Christians believe that suffering reminds us of the suffering Jesus endured and allows us to show empathy with him.
When Gee Walkers son was murdered, what quote did she recite to show forgiveness?
“Forgive them Father, for they dont know what they do”
