[~ot] why is programming so fun?

[John Reimer]

Hello e-t172,

> A related citation:
> 
> "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
> Then he is not omnipotent.
> Is he able, but not willing?
> Then he is malevolent.
> Is he both able and willing?
> Then whence cometh evil?
> Is he neither able nor willing?
> Then why call him God?"
> ~Epicurus (341 BC - 270 BC)


Yes, this sort of debate does go waaaay back, doesn't it? :)

The above is does not disprove God.  It just shows that the writer doesn't 
appear to like the God that put him in this world, nor the universe he appears 
to be stuck in. He's quite put out about it, in fact.  God could have made 
automotons, but I suppose he figured people should have a choice in the matter. 
 

It's not really that clever for the creation to question the creator.   Much 
less to judge the Creator.  By what standard does Epicurus question God about 
evil.  This God has not only set the standard that defines evil but has also 
promised to judge all evil finally.  And he also defined how one is saved 
from this evil.   Does Epicurus decide for himself what he sees as evil in 
the process of "disproving" God?  What does Epicurus perceive "evil" to mean?

The strange thing is that people continue to complain about evil but refuse 
to turn away from it in their own lives, or to adopt the plan that frees 
them from that bondage to it.

People condemn themselves and then shake their fist at God for not making 
things the way they want.

-JJR