Theists and Atheists, what do you think of this?

Question

I apologize if this is a drink question, but tell me what you think of this idea by an ancient Greek philosopher.

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?

Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing?

Then he is not malevolent.

Is he both able and willing?

Then whence became evil?

Is he neither able or willing?

Then why call him God?"

Epicurus, 33 AD

Answer 1

Smart man, but who doesn't like to drink?

*Pointless Drink*

=]

Answer 2

I think perhaps that ancient Greek is not much of a philosopher.

First of all by combining "willing" and "able" you are creating two events and asking two questions simultaneously, while requesting one answer.

Second of all, there are several million Christians who would be happy to tell you that God has plans for the ultimate eradication of evil.  That evil exists today, in no way disqualifies the existence of God or his power.

Answer 3

i think it shows a real lack of judgment in knowing God...God cannot lie...so does that mean He can't do everything...would God be God if He lied...the gods of the Greeks had such a definition that they can do whatever without bounds and be called god...i disagree with that definition of God...philosophers in Greek also thought is was futile to examine nature to see why it does what it does...because it is meaningless knowledge...but that is where our natural sciences come from...studying nature...which started strangely enough in a Christian mindset...that we can know more about God by studying nature...

Answer 4

God does what He wants and doesn't do what He doesn't want.

That philosopher fails to realize that God tests everyone in a different way. If he was really smart, he should have known and not made up some poem-like-prose.

Answer 5

Not much

its just one mans opinion on what he feels God is.

Answer 6

I think those are the questions that atheists ask theists in order to get them to examine their belief.

But if you really want to believe that a diety exists - logic goes out the window and new rules are invented

Answer 7

This has been posted a lot.

Answer 8

God is able, and willing, but only whenever the time is right. For God is slow to bring judgment which is for our benefit.

Answer 9

"The Riddle of Epicurus". One of my all-time favorites. You go ahead and post this one as often as you like, darlin'. Anybody says anything to you, you just send them to me.

Answer 10

Smart man

Answer 11

He makes it so obvious.