From: Steve.Gross@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Steve Gross)
Subject: Re: The problem of evil (God ain't what you think!)
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 20:46:41 GMT

Sean Hartigan writes:

>No - God created the kind of beings who WOULD choose to sin. 
>Being omniscient, he presumably knew that some of the beings he was creating
>would choose evil. He created them anyway - thus bringing sin into the world.

---- Because God created intelligent beings that were capable of letting
sin form in their hearts thus bringing about evil behavior,  DOES NOT 
mean that he is responsible for bringing sin into the world.  The humans
that God created were tricked by Satan, who was infinitely more
intelligent than them, and one heck of a lot more experienced in trickery
and deceit.  Because they were tricked by Satan indicates that they had
not intended to choose evil, but rather were presented with a new view by
an extremely talented salesman.  Instead of sticking with what they knew
to be correct, they chose the alterior path.  That is pretty basic human
instinct.  Almost everyone will choose to go towards something if it
promises grreater comfort, benefits, wealth, knowledge, etc... .  God
cannot be held responsible for something that was initiated and furthered
by Satan.
(sfg)


>More importantly - the fact that he created them anyway shows that he 
>WANTED people in existence who would sin and not repent.
>If he hadn't wanted them, he wouldn't have created them. 

>He knew beforehand (the wily old fellow) which of his possible children
>would come back to him and which ones wouldn't.  But he created the ones
>who were going to damn themselves anyway, even though he knew full well that 
>this was what they were going to do. Nice, eh? 

---- Since when does God create every human?  As far as the bible records
it, He only created two.  Adam, then Eve.  Since God formed man in his
image, he gave man the aility to multiply.  Therefore, it is man who
creates new life, and by so doing damns that new life to the suffering and
pain that accompanies living on this planet.  God never damns all people,
quite the opposite, he offered his son as a sacrifice once and for all so
that all people might come to him, and be saved from the slavery of the
God of this world, i.e. Satan.
(sfg)


>The fact is: God created a universe in which evil exists (i.e. people would
>turn away from him, as this is the definition of evil.)  

---- NOT SO!!  evil is defined as something that brings sorrow, distress,
or calamity.    the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing.    A
cosmic evil force.
---- What you are describing, " people turning away from God "  is the
same as spiritual separation from God, which is a common definition for SIN.
(sfg)


He created people   --  God only created two people, we do it now  --

>who HE KNEW would turn away from him and therefore be liable to damnation.
>If he is really omnipotent, he didn't have to do this. But he did. So he
>must WANT a certain number of people to be separate from him for all eternity.
>Hard luck if you happen to be one of 'em. 


---- This is a sob story, nothing else.  Because you refuse to accept the
simplicity of Salvation as it stands, a gift from God, you try and blame
him for everything that you can think of.  You should take a hard look at
what you are saying Mr. Hartigan, it is without thought.  Would a God who
claims to be just, and fair, and pure, and righteous, create a race of
people who he knew would go to hell without him, and then maliciously only
save half, or a third, or however many of them he chose????   NO WAY!  
this is totally ridiculous.  God created two people who he told to
procreate, and multiply.  Those two people he gave dominion over the
earth.  Satan tricked them and gained power and control over this earth,
and has been running it ever since.  Because of SATAN, this world sucks,
and because of SATAN, there is sin in the world.  God offered his SON
man!!!  How much more do you want the man to give???  The fault for your
and other people's non-salvation is your own fault.  God offered the plan
two thousand years ago, and if you can't get with that program, you have
NO RIGHT to blame the God who gave you and everyone else the opportunity.
(sfg)

Steve.Gross

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