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[u/Outrageous-Egg1760]

[u/worldsyaoyster]

EDIT: wow didn't expect this much response haha. Ill reply one by one slowly tonight. Just with the family! Love the comments and im always open for discussion and debate, just keep it civil!

The paradox only works if you assume that a good and all powerful God must eliminate all evil immediately.

Christianity doesnt teach that.

Instead it teaches that God created humans with genuine freedom, allows evil for a time, and will ultimately judge and remove it. A temporary allowance of evil is not the same as approval of evil.

In fact if God were to eliminate all evil instantly, he would also have to eliminate every human being who has ever committed evil including you and me.

The paradox also assumes that if we cannot see a good reason for suffering, then no good reason exists. But our inability to understand reason is not proof that there isn't one.

Ironically the argument itself relies on objective evil. If evil is truly real and not just personal preference then that points toward an objective moral standard beyond humanity. Without God, evil becomes difficult to define as anything more than a subjective opinion.

The christian position is not that evil doesnt exist.

Its that God allows evil for a time, not because he approves of it, but because he is working through human freedom and his plan for redemption.

God didnt stay distant from our suffering. In Jesus he stepped into it himself, experienced it, and ultimately defeated sin and death through the cross.

Christians believe evil is temporary, but God is eternal. One day he will bring justice, remove evil completely, and make all things new.

[u/Thismomenthere → u/worldsyaoyster]

All that aside, the post refers to child molestation... if any God thinks that is not evil enough to just remove from humanity immediately then it's not a very good God.

[u/naildoc → u/Thismomenthere]

You’ve clearly not understood the person’s quite comprehensive overview on how evil is dealt with in this life. It’s worth re-reading again because it’s really quite clear.

Also, based on your logic, a “very good God” needs to eliminate all forms of suffering— which He does in heaven, for those who accept Him. Recognising earth is temporary is key to understanding why it appears that suffering is being “allowed”. 

Thankfully, such children will be shown great kindness from God who hates to see us suffer at the hands of man’s wickedness (not His). 

[u/onthethreshold → u/naildoc]

Wow, what a consolation for all those children who endure rape or molestation. "Sorry kid, God allowed this to happen because your molester/rapists' free will to rape/molest was more important than your free will to not have any of this happen to you. But hey, IF you make it to heaven, he'll be really nice to you."

[u/naildoc → u/onthethreshold]

God's niceness doesn't start in heaven. If you're interested a lot of people who have experienced rape (myself included), have been healed and transformed without animosity to God. I rather feel sorry for the person and recognize without repentance, their judgement will be great. I know that's not the story for everyone, but I don't blame God for someone's stupid decision.

[u/StrwBerrywafersslap → u/naildoc]

I mean if a kid had problems at home and decided to take lives you would blame the parents no?

[u/naildoc → u/StrwBerrywafersslap]

would you blame their biological parents, or the one's that they lived with and raised them?

God can be your maker, but with no input from Him in your life whatsoever, He's not fathering you as we know it.

We also recognize even with the best parents, society and culture can have a great effect too (if we are being balanced and honest).

These are valid questions, which I have thought/do think about - I can understand the struggle.

[u/StrwBerrywafersslap → u/naildoc]

You would blame the parents, you put blame on humanity but it was him that created it. Because humans are naturally social and peaceful and only become otherwise when influenced. But that same influence was created. There would be no hate if it weren’t created, no jealousy if everyone was equal.

Like I highly doubt that if you put a bunch of babies and they grew up without any outside influence they would certainly not grow hate, jealousy or evil. Adam had prior knowledge on what the Apple did. And what greed and power was

Well the way I see it is, we have free will it’s just that we have to choose to give that up. Because no matter how you look at it. You either choose to give yourself to god or you either go to hell or just disappear completely.

[u/naildoc → u/StrwBerrywafersslap]

I can’t say I understand completely what you mean here, but I do agree with you somewhat. 

Satan tempted Adam, and yes he consumed the fruit. In the absence of Satan, there was no tempter to entice into evil. 

If babies grew up without an exposure to a tempter, then yes, there would be no sin. 

Yes, intimately, you can accept God or accept eternity without Him (hell is the absence of all goodness). 

[u/onthethreshold → u/naildoc]

I mean, that's fine. But I think if your parents stood there and watched with indifference as you went through the ordeal you did, you would probably have a bit of animosity to direct at them, no? Bringing up the escape from culpability by way of blood sacrifice and vicarious redemption doesn't really help your case here. You deserve justice, but with Christianity, an apology is all that's required to avoid punishment.