The question “why is there evil in the world” is a frequently asked question. It is normally a concern that bothers the theist and it is a question posed by the atheist and agnostics. It is a question of God’s existence. If God exists why does this God allow sin and evil?
First, we must admit the existence of right and wrong and good and bad. It is a good thing to help someone in need, to help an elderly person cross the street safely. And it is bad to rob an innocent person. These things are universally accepted as the right and wrong things to do. So whether God exists or not, there is still right and wrong. If we take the stance that there is no God, then what we are left with is man’s free will to do something right or something wrong. This free will is present only in man. Animals are bound by nature, not by free will. The cat will not one day decide to never harm another mouse. His nature is to be the predator of the mouse. It is out of his control.Therefore, it is not wrong for him to kill and eat a mouse. If we are but evolved animals, then our every action is an act of nature and as such it cannot be deemed right or wrong, like any other animal.
Some have theorized how morals and ethics were developed in mankind during the evolutionary process. But this does not negate the facts that if there is no provider of our morals then our actions, whether perceived as moral and immoral, are our nature. And as our nature, they are not subject to scrutiny or litigation. Robbing a bank and feeding the poor are equally worthless and meaningless actions, done by human animals.
Nonetheless, man’s nature is to decide the proper course of action in any given circumstance, thus he is obligated to discern right from wrong. And he can choose to do right and reap the benefits of it or he can do what is wrong and face the consequences. But man’s propensity to do good or bad has no bearing on whether he was created or not. His decision to do evil does not disqualify the existence of God. So the atheist and agnostic are actually questioning the goodness of God. They mean to ask, if God is good, then why does he allow evil? The answer to the question, “why is there evil in the world?” is the same as the answer to “why is there good in the world?” If we are to conclude that God is evil because he allows sin into the world, then what are we to say about a God who allows an abundance of good into the world, also? The answer is that God gives man free will and sometimes he chooses good and other times he chooses evil. So, the person responsible for the evil of this world is in our mirrors.
Some might ask, “Why does this just God not intervene and cure the ills of humanity? If a person is about to mug an innocent person, why doesn’t this God stop him? When a wealthy person spends his money frivolously, why does God not make the rich person give his money to the needy?” Again, it is free will, which includes personal accountability and responsibility. The person who insists that God is to blame for our bad deeds would not concede that our good deeds are to be accredited to him, as well. Their line of questioning is nothing but an attempt to pass the buck. Man wants to take credit for his good deeds and take no responsibility for his bad decisions and deeds.
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