The Argument from Evil and Suffering If God was all-powerful, He could prevent evil and suffering. If God was all-good, He would prevent evil and suffering. But evil and suffering exist. Therefore, an all-powerful, all-good God does not exist.

Evil and suffering are an even bigger problem for atheism.

Atheism and Evil “We have to give up the idea that core morality is true in any sense.” (p. 113) “If the environment had been very different, another moral core would have been selected for, perhaps even the dog-eat-dog morality.” ( p. 113)

Atheism and Suffering “It would make life simpler for us if you would, in the future, say ‘My C-fibers are firing,’ instead of saying ‘I’m in pain.’” (Richard Rorty “Mind-Body Identity,” Review of Metaphysics 1965 p. 30)

“Paul, don’t speak to me, my serotonin levels have hit bottom, my brain is awash in glucocorticoids, my blood vessels are full of adrenaline, and if it weren’t for my endogenous opiates I’d have driven the car into a tree on the way home. My dopamine levels need lifting. Pour me a Chardonnay, and I’ll be down in a minute.”

What Is “Evil”? Evil is not a something, it is the absence of something. God did not create "absence" – He created what is "good" Evil is the result of misused freedom

The Argument from Evil and Suffering If God was all-powerful, He could prevent evil and suffering. If God was all-good, He would prevent evil and suffering. But evil and suffering exist. Therefore, an all-powerful, all-good God does not exist. “I can’t think of any reason why God wouldn’t prevent evil and suffering.”

A puzzle is not proof of anything.

The Argument from Evil and Suffering If God was all-powerful, He could prevent evil and suffering. If God was all-good, He would prevent evil and suffering. But evil and suffering exist. Therefore, an all-powerful, all-good God does not exist. “I can’t think of any reason why God wouldn’t prevent evil and suffering.”

Why Would God Permit Evil and Suffering? God values love, and love requires freedom. God is all-powerful and can bring good out of any evil. God uses suffering to shape our character – esp. unselfish love. God can provide an infinitely greater life beyond this one. We may never know.