Theists, why does God allow suffering.. (page 42)

defender of truth

David Hume's formulation of the problem of evil in Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion:

"[God's] power we allow [is] infinite: Whatever he wills is executed: But neither man nor any other animal are happy: Therefore he does not will their happiness. His wisdom is infinite: He is never mistaken in choosing the means to any end: But the course of nature tends not to human or animal felicity: Therefore it is not established for that purpose. Through the whole compass of human knowledge, there are no inferences more certain and infallible than these. In what respect, then, do his benevolence and mercy resemble the benevolence and mercy of men?"

.. I would trust your own idea of what is good and bad than a being that is all powerful and yet does not alleviate anyone's suffering.

defender of truth

(Rather than spending the next week riding a philosophical merry-go-round where we end up wondering if our own existence is merely an assertion, or if we are all just butterflies dreaming that we are humans, let's get back to the topic, eh?)

"Because the entire basis of the argument here is this
Suffering = Bad [assertion] God allows suffering; ergo God is bad"

.. SAVEDJW, the purpose of this thread is to give answers to the question 'Why does a Theistic God allow animals to suffer?' .
This question in itself is not an attack on God.. It is not an accusation or necessarily the start of a debate.. It is merely a question.

Whether suffering being bad is an undeniable truth, or merely an assertion, is NOT the topic.
Whether anyone can decide if God's actions are good or bad, when atheists don't believe in a God and thus only have their own thoughts by which to judge good and bad, is also NOT the topic.

Here's the original question for you:
Why does your God (if you are a theist that is) allow animals to suffer? How would you explain it? (Suffering is beneficial, good and necessary for x reason.. He doesn't care.. Because of mans fall from perfection..
these are examples of actual answers to a question, rather than evasions.)

You can avoid the question, or admit you don't know the answer, of course.
Or you can continue to post off-topic about how our feelings and thoughts are irrelevant, as I expect you to based on experience.

cofty

Imagine the worse possible suffering for everybody. A situation where there is absolutely no pleasure for anybody and unmitagated physical and emotional suffering of every conscious creature on the planet. Can we agree this is bad? - Cofty

I don't know cofty - SavedJW

If you can't agree that " the worse possible suffering for everybody... unmitagated physical and emotional suffering of every conscious creature on the planet. " is bad, then we have no common ground for further conversation.

Heaven

If you can't agree that " the worse possible suffering for everybody... unmitagated physical and emotional suffering of every conscious creature on the planet. " is bad

THIS... is what cults do to people.

defender of truth

"Post12of16
Joined2/2/2010
When I speak about suffering=bad I am speaking purely in philosophical terms."

Saved JW's not disagreeing, to be fair, he is being an evasive philosopher. Let's see if he/she is brave enough to give a direct reply to the question the thread poses..

defender of truth

Saved JW?.. Theists?.. We await your answer.

defender of truth

bttt for any brave theists..

ablebodiedman

What you now see happening in this world measures the value of what the most intelligent men think is the right thing to do.

God is "allowing" the entire earth to be subject to its own rulership.

God is "allowing" men to rule themselves and his creation.

If you see suffering it is because of the futility of a rulership that has become seperated from God.

If you don't like the suffering that you are presently seeing then ask God to come back and be very prepared to do exactly what he tells you.

If you think there is a better way than obeying God then expect suffering to continue.

abe

DATA-DOG

"If you can't agree that " the worse possible suffering for everybody... unmitagated physical and emotional suffering of every conscious creature on the planet . " is bad, then we have no common ground for further conversation" - COFTY

Typical response from someone who cannot yet take the next rational step in their mind. Saved JW KNOWS what comes next, a logical progression of events that need to be honestly examined. SJW's cognitive dissonance will not allow for further discussion. You will find the same issue with EVERY true believer in Xianity. REASONING with them is impossible at a certain point. You have to walk away.

DD

defender of truth

ablebodiedman posted~ 4 hours ago
"If you see suffering it is because of the futility of a rulership that has become seperated from God."
....

Ablebodiedman..
How do you explain why God allowed countless animals to suffer before humans even existed, before mankinds rulership began? At that point, surely, it was all under God's rule?

Theists, why does God allow suffering..

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