The problem of evil has been a philosophical and theological debate trying to reconcile the sufferings in the world with the existence of omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent God. Atheists argue that the reason as to why they do not believe in the existence of God is due to this paradox. In this dictum, they argue that if indeed God loves people, then he would not wish to see them suffer in the face of the earth (Solomon, Clancy and Higgins, 11). Additionally, if truly God is all knowing, then he is aware that evil and suffering exist on earth. Similarly, if God is all-powerful, then he has the power to take evil and to suffer away from the people. They then pose a question. Does it mean that God loves people humans and is aware of the existence of evil, but unwilling to take them out of the world? Alternatively does it mean that he is unaware and unwilling, or he is aware and willing but has no power? They then conclude that the attempt to answer these questions make it openly right that God does not exist.
However, I think that using these syllogistic approaches in questioning the existence of God is wrong. Something that should be profound in the understanding about the existence of evil and sufferings is due to unfortunate human frailty. People suffer due to their personal limitations, and this should be not pegged on God’s love and power to deal with the problems that affect the human society. Trying to ask philosophical questions or rather scientific issues to find an answer from a matter of spirituality is contextually wrong. Asking a question in a wrong context leads to a negative response, which would misinform the arguers and then accuse the entities that are misrepresented in their mindsets. God has these qualities, but should not be imagined in the same scope as a human being (Van Inwagen 19). For example, when an accident occurs that claims the lives of many people, it should not be faulted in the existence of the omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent God, but on the existence of realities.
For the safety of human beings from their problems and sufferings, they should obey the chemical, biological and physical laws. When a driver over speeds the car and intends to negotiate a very sharp corner, the centre of gravity would not remain in the right position hence the car topples off and causing an accident. The same applies to someone who drinks water containing salmonella typhy, which indeed would make him or her get infected with typhoid. This does not mean that God is responsible for his or her suffering. One thing to note is that God gave human beings the freedom of choice and intellect to act as they wish. The irresponsible use of these abilities has caused the human suffering in the world, and thus, God should not be a central question when addressing these matters.
- Solomon, Robert C., Clancy Martin, and Kathleen M. Higgins. “Introducing Philosophy: A Text with Integrated Readings, International Edition.” (2012).
- Van Inwagen, Peter. The problem of evil. Oxford University Press on Demand, 2008.