What are your thoughts on Epicurus's riddle?

[Anonymous]

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I am nonreligous/atheist and it makes a strong point

I am nonreligous/atheist and it's flawed

I am religious and it makes me question my faith

I am religious and it's flawed

[loveslongnails]

There is no option for me to choose from. My thoughts are that it's easy to come up with Gordian knot type questions when there is SO much we don't understand. The typical response is "God gave man free will", and all souls return to God in the end, so whatever happens in between is a test for the soul. But I often wonder... is there no limit? Even though man has free will, shouldn't God step in as the "Father" and punish the child that is truly, horribly evil? As a philosopher and sage, Epicurus spent much time in thought which was both helpful, and endlessly frustrating. This is just one example.

[Exorcist_Rampage]

I'm spiritual and it is flawed. I had to vote nonreligious and flawed since I consider Christianity a spirituality and not a religion. Religion is based upon works and spirituality isn't.

God being able and not willing has no bearing as to why He doesn't do it. People feel entitled that God must prevent evil if He by all means can do so.

[SpacedCharr]

Epicurus is one of the first philosophers I started reading when I was much younger.

I don't think he was what made me start doubting my religion, but I certainly agreed with this statement and reasoning.

I'm agnostic, however, and do believe in a God. She's just not the traditional god figure most might assume.

[strateguy632]

First the POLL shows "confirmed bias" those who reject it , say it is flawed, and those who love it, can't see the flaw! But EVERY line is bs.

When speaking of god, start with fourth part! God must be "able" so parts 1 and 4 are "not logic just moron pretending to be wise." That deleted half of the flawed parts. Leaving 2&3.

2, god might have a good REASON to "not prevent" evil. If i try to shoot a gun, but cannot, then i lack ability to choose. My "innocence" is worthless because i would be prevented from murder and evil. That ability is not "malice" but saying it is malice is moron.

3rd, also just ignorance. Evil "can come from" demons devil or human free will... but the pathetic atheists have blinder faith than catholics and "cheer" a moron primitive fool... who also opposed atheism! "followers of Epicureanism denied the idea that there was no god". They had a different god.

[Jonny_]

It's a strong point logically, the only real issue is that you can't win an illogical argument with logic... to theists a deity will do illogical things if it's the only way they can continue to exist. They would rather believe religion jumps through hoops that don't make sense than see the flaw in something they've spent their lives believing. Mainstream religions don't contain much sense to begin with, that's why it can only ever be labelled faith and not fact.

[strateguy632]

Nope, logic has "yes no" gates this d is a limited view that is super dis-honest.

[AbleLearner]

He overlooked the fact God has a Moral purpose for allowing evil to exist.

For example, what good is loyalty if nobody is ever tempted?

[EnglundUberAlles]

The real strength of Epicurus's argument is that Christians can't respond to it without twisting logic into knots.

[strateguy632]

@EnglundUberAlles you wish!

[John_Doesnt]

No religious person can argue against it without using circle logic or resorting to "you have to have faith".

[MackToday]

Epicurus is your friend, he fights for common sense.

[strateguy632]

"followers of Epicureanism denied the idea that there was no god" not atheists, pagans but yeh call pagan common sense!

[Deathraider]

He makes a good point. The idea of omniscient, omnipotence, and omnibenevolent is logically incoherent.

[strateguy632]

Pretty ignorant, to toss out conclusions without knowing Lactantius replied.

[Jackblue]

Bible says that it because of our sins in the Garden of Eden.

[Anonymous]

Epicurus was using logic and reason. Those things don’t work on religious folks; their beliefs are based on faith.

[strateguy632]

You are half right, most religions are blind and foolish but bible expected "knowing god".

[esotericstory]

Where is the option for saying that I agree with it while being religious too?

[Anonymous]

God is omnipotent and can prevent evil. Sometimes he just chooses not to. That does not necessarily make him malevolent because creating a world where everything is always perfect for everyone is pointless.

[ThisDudeHere]

Makes sense for me.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

What a stupid man.