I have been talking about why suffering is a “problem” in the Jewish and Christian traditions, and here I would like to reflect a bit on a point that some commenters have made, that it is a problem if and only if one has a certain conception of God as a being who is all-powerful, loving, and active in the world. Someone who has a different understanding of the divine being – or divine beings – almost certainly won’t have this problem.
I will let others on the blog comment on divine beings in other modern religious traditions, outside of traditional Christianity. But I will say that the pagan world in which Christianity originally began, there were much easier answers to why people suffer if there are powerful deities in the world. The key is that in the ancient world, everyone except Jews acknowledged that there were *lots* of other deities, at all kinds of level and of all sorts of temperament. Some divine beings could be hateful, malicious, and antagonistic. Can’t do much about that. Even with the good ones – if you got them angry, things could go very wrong indeed.
I would argue that even the religion that became Judaism started out with a multiplicity of deities. The constant injunctions in the Hebrew Bible not to worship other gods almost certainly arose precisely because so many Israelites *were* worshiping other gods. Even though the authors of the Bible insisted on the worship of Yahweh, there is little reason to think that that is what was actually happening on the ground.
Moreover, for most of the Hebrew Bible the kind of conception of the divine is henotheistic rather than monotheistic. In the way I’m defining the terms (various scholars define them variously, but this is the normal way), “henotheism” refers to a religious belief that only one God is to be worshiped, while acknowledging that other gods exist. This seems to be the view of most of the authors of the Old Testament.
You see it, for example, already in the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) where the faithful Israelite is sternly instructed “You shall have no other gods before me.” The commandment is NOT: “You must believe there is only one God.” On the contrary, the commandment presupposes that there are indeed other gods. None of them is to be worshiped by those who worship Yahweh (or does it mean not to be worshiped *more* than Yahweh?).
Eventually this henotheism morphed into a true “monotheism” the belief that there is in fact only one God. The other supposed divine beings are either demons or they don’t exist at all. (If they are demons they are a still *kind* of divine being, but they are so pathetically weak in comparison with God that they don’t so much count as competitors.) You find this view, for example, in what is called 2 Isaiah (a book written in the 6th c. BCE, tacked on to the writings of Isaiah of Jerusalem from the 8th c BCE, and now comprising Isaiah chs. 40-55). God insists that he alone is God, and “there is no other.”
That became the view of Judaism and then, later, Christianity. There are no gods but God. Islam, of course, inherited the view much later. It is within these great monotheistic traditions that the “problem of suffering emerges.” I know that many (most?) Muslims insist that for them suffering is *not* a problem, but I should say that I know myriad Christians who say it is not for them either. Conceptually (even though people have their “solutions”) the problem is a problem for anyone who believes there is only one powerful divine being who loves people and yet those people suffer anguishing and truly horrible pain.
And so a number of commenters have suggested that it is simply better to believe in a different kind of God. Why not simply give up on the idea that God is all powerful? Why not, in fact, adopt a “deistic” conception of God? “Deism” in this context usually denotes the belief that there is indeed a divine power in the universe, who may ultimately be “behind it all,” for example, as the one “who got the ball rolling” but who is not actively involved in the world. So hey, it’s not *his* fault.!
One common way of imagining this is to think that God started the universe in some unknown and probably unknowable way – say, 13.8 billion years ago – and then simply let nature take its course. Big bang; rapid expansion; formation of galaxies of stars; development of our solar system; formation of earth; cooling of the planet; emergence of first life; evolution. Then, after those 13.8 billion years are up, just some 200,000 years ago, the appearance of homo sapiens; 190,000 years later, the development of human culture; and so it goes till the invention of the I-phone. Why not?
Suffering, then, is just the way it works, because it’s how nature works. “God” – the one who started the whole thing – has nothing to do with it.
So isn’t this a better more intellectually satisfying view? Why not?
Why not indeed? I can’t actually think of an argument against this view. So for me it would be personally plausible. But – here I’m speaking completely personally – I’ve never seen any reason to believe it. Why appeal to a divine causality for the start of all things when everything else can be explained apart from divine causality? The one and only reason I can think of for someone coming up with any such idea is that they started *out* thinking that there was a God; then they came to realize that that belief is problematic for one reason or another (for example, it can’t explain why most homo sapiens over the course of their 200,000 years have lived in excruciating pain and died badly) and so fallen back on a *different* idea of the deity. But why have any idea of a deity at all?
And what does such a belief give you? Suppose it’s right. Then what? What would it matter? How would it affect a single thing you think, believe, or do? How would it have any effect on your life? I should think that it is in a sense simply a kind of functional atheism. Yes, there is a god out there, but god has absolutely nothing to do with *me*.
So I don’t know why I should want to believe such a thing. I don’t know what logic would suggest it. I don’t know how it explains anything that can’t be explained without it (OK, yes, we can’t explain the Big Bang; but if you posit God as the one who made the Big Bang you have the same problem: you can’t explain God. Ultimately, either way, you can’t explain the First Principle.) I don’t know how it would change my life. I don’t know how it is really much of anything except a faint shadow of the Jewish-Christian belief in God with no basis, necessity, or practical effect. So why believe it?
Again, let me stress, this is just my personal opinion, and it’s not one I insist on. It’s not based on “scholarship.” It’s not a view I push on others. (I’ve never mentioned it before, to my knowledge!) I don’t mind if others have the opposite view, that some such understanding explains our world better than an atheistic one. But I’ve never felt or understood either its emotional attractions or its logical necessity.
Hi there, I log on tto our blo daily. Yoour story-telling styl is awesome,
keep uup the good work!
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Thanks designed for sharing such a nice thought, piece of writing is nice, thats why i have read it fully
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
Fine way of explaining, and good post to take information about my presentation subject matter, which i am going to convey in college.
I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
This post will help the internet viewers for building up new webpage or even a blog from start to end.
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness on your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to stay up to date with imminent post. Thank you a million and please continue the gratifying work.
Hi! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon.
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Good replies in return of this question with solid arguments and describing all concerning that.
I simply could not depart your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply on your visitors? Is going to be back often in order to check up on new posts
I am in fact thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this enormous article at at this place.
I quite like reading through a post that will make people think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!
For most recent news you have to go to see internet and on web I found this site as a most excellent website for most recent updates.
If you wish for to get much from this piece of writing then you have to apply such strategies to your won weblog.
I love reading through a post that will make people think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
Your means of explaining everything in this piece of writing is in fact nice, all be able to without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.
Nice blog here! Also your website rather a lot up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate link in your host? I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hello there, You have performed a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
Wow, that’s what I was looking for, what a data! present here at this website, thanks admin of this website.
Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thank you once again.
Great blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Thank you
Your style is really unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this web site.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thanks a lot!
Wonderful article! We will be linking to this great post on our site. Keep up the good writing.
What’s up, its good article about media print, we all know media is a enormous source of data.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new stuff you post
If some one needs to be updated with latest technologies then he must be go to see this website and be up to date daily.
Hi! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the great work!
I think the admin of this website is in fact working hard in favor of his site, because here every data is quality based data.
I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?
VIP мужской эромассаж Москва в spa
hey there and thank you for your information I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again soon.
Hi, I want to subscribe for this blog to get latest updates, so where can i do it please assist.
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the future. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
This post is invaluable. Where can I find out more?
Keep this going please, great job!
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
There is definately a lot to learn about this subject. I love all the points you’ve made.
Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this web site daily, this web site is truly good and the viewers are really sharing good thoughts.
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you really understand what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my web site =). We could have a link exchange agreement among us
hey there and thank you for your information I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again soon.
Thank you for any other informative website. Where else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect method? I have a undertaking that I am simply now running on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you have done a awesome job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Chrome. Outstanding Blog!
It’s very easy to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this article at this website.
Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person’s blog link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do same in favor of you.
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to swap methods with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your blog. It seems like some of the text within your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before. Kudos
I read this article fully concerning the comparison of most up-to-date and preceding technologies, it’s remarkable article.
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge about unexpected feelings.
Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this website regularly, this web site is in fact nice and the users are actually sharing good thoughts.
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in internet explorer, may check this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a large portion of folks will omit your fantastic writing due to this problem.
Thank you for any other informative blog. Where else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a venture that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.
Appreciating the hard work you put into your website and in depth information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thank you for any other fantastic article. Where else may just anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such information.
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?
I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I am hoping you write again soon!
It’s remarkable to go to see this website and reading the views of all mates about this article, while I am also keen of getting experience.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
Excellent blog here! Also your site a lot up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate link in your host? I desire my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to return the favor.I am trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Excellent website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get comments from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand so much approximately this, like you wrote the guide in it or something. I feel that you simply could do with some p.c. to force the message house a bit, however other than that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to check out new stuff you post
Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness for your post is simply nice and i can assume you are a professional in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay up to date with drawing close post. Thank you a million and please continue the rewarding work.
Hi, its good piece of writing regarding media print, we all understand media is a impressive source of data.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I think this is one of the so much important information for me. And i’m satisfied reading your article. However wanna statement on few basic things, The site taste is perfect, the articles is actually excellent : D. Good process, cheers
Hi there, I found your blog via Google even as searching for a comparable topic, your web site got here up, it seems good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
When someone writes an post he/she keeps the plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it. So that’s why this article is perfect. Thanks!
I think the admin of this website is truly working hard for his web site, since here every data is quality based data.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Вы ищете надежное и захватывающее онлайн-казино, тогда это идеальное место для вас!
I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web site!
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thanks!
I like it when individuals come together and share views. Great blog, keep it up!
Hello there, I do think your site may be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, wonderful website!
I like the valuable information you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am moderately certain I will be told plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
I know this site provides quality based articles or reviews and other stuff, is there any other web site which gives such things in quality?
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve take into account your stuff prior to and you’re simply too wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the best way in which you are saying it. You are making it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
Хотите получить идеально ровный пол в своей квартире или офисе? Обратитесь к профессионалам на сайте styazhka-pola24.ru! Мы предоставляем услуги по устройству стяжки пола в Москве и области, а также гарантируем качество работ и доступные цены.
снабжение объектов стройматериалами
Эффективный, быстрый и качественный процесс ремонта это то, что мы предлагаем в виде механизированной штукатурки на mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru.
I got this site from my pal who informed me about this web site and now this time I am visiting this website and reading very informative articles or reviews here.
Thank you, I have recently been searching for information approximately this topic for ages and yours is the best I have came upon so far. However, what about the conclusion? Are you sure concerning the source?
Thank you for any other great article. Where else may just anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect method of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such information.
Современный рынок предлагает нам множество уникальных решений, включая штукатурку механизированную. Проверьте mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru для получения подробной информации.
I love the style you write. Your article is simple to follow and understand. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Thanks in favor of sharing such a nice idea, article is good, thats why i have read it completely
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I liked this article. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very smartly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Remarkable! Its really remarkable post, I have got much clear idea concerning from this piece of writing.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Very well written!
These are actually impressive ideas in about blogging. You have touched some nice points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a top notch article but what can I say I put things off a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Your method of describing all in this article is really good, all be able to without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really recognise what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my site =). We could have a link trade agreement among us
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!