Philosophers have different views regarding the existence of God. They base their convictions on elements such as miracles, morality, and religious experience as a means of proving their stance. The belief in the existence of God is known as theism. However, some critics oppose the idea that He lives, thus challenging the theistic view. The basis of their argument arises from critical aspects such as the traditional problem of evil. Cases of atheist based beliefs have relied on these aspects to question God’s existence for a long time. Thus, they have elicited diverse responses since the claims pose a philosophical threat to theistic designs and beliefs. The problem of evil compels the argument for God’s non-existence as it holds that if a supreme deity exists, then evil could not burden the society.

The primary concern is the question of whether a supreme deity exists. The desire to determine the truth of allegations that God is or is not present is a critical query raised by religion and its critics. Individuals and groups that believe and accept that there is a deity go beyond embracing knowledge of His existence. They attribute significant value on the presence of God on human life (Everitt 1). Some followers regard Him as a source or provider of meaning and purpose to human life. By assigning particular attributes to Him, they adopt doctrines based on the nature of His being. The qualities offer a framework upon which religions design rules and identify traits that believers ought to follow in order to lead a good life (Everitt 1). The qualities associated with God by believers provide an opportunity for atheist beliefs to question His presence in a universe permeated by evil. Thus, they use the problem of evil as evidence to support their assertion.

The problem of evil is a series of arguments that support the ideology for the non-existence of God. The primary purpose of the propositions advanced by the atheist school of thought is to prove that there is no god at all. They aim to cast doubt as well as disregard the existence of the god of western religion. Besides, the concept of the problem of evil terms the design of the cosmos and the designer as flawed (Pecorino). Given the pervasion of evil within the universe, it is evident that a deity does not exist. If He is present and has all the divine attributes that theists believe in, then so much evil should not plague the earth. The argument operates on the premise that the evil and suffering, which human beings endure, is substantial proof that an all-powerful deity does not control the world (“The Problem of Evil”). Hence, it uses evil as a basis for dismissing God’s existence.

The problem of evil identifies what is, in essence, a contradiction of the ideas advanced by theism about features of the deity. The traditional philosophical conception of God labels him as omniscient, meaning that he is an all-knowing entity; omnipotent implying all-powerful, and benevolent that denotes he is a well-meaning and kind-hearted God (Holt). These attributes are characteristic of a supreme being. Thus, He is in a position to control all that happens in the world. The concept questions the genuineness and presence of a deity that is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful at the same time and yet He permits evil to burden societies (Pecorino). Its concern is not that there are evils in the world or there is too much wickedness. It also does not query the lack of a balance between good and evil (Pecorino). Instead, it asks how a supposedly caring and benevolent God created a universe characterized by chaos.

The attribute of a deity that is all-powerful validates the atheist claim of God’s non-existence to a certain extent. His identification as omnipotent means that God can do anything. The trait entails the power to create any state of affairs that one wishes (“The Problem of Evil”). Therefore, God has no limit to the nature of things that He creates. It means he can make a physical universe out of nothing. Omnipotence also denotes the capacity to bring about any logically applicable state of things. It implies that God has power to create any physically possible state that is in tandem with nature’s laws (“The Problem of Evil”). Based on this trait, atheists argue that if God exists, then he knows how to, wants to, and can prevent all suffering and pain (Holt). Thus, if such a God existed, though, he actually would stop all evil.

Arguments against there being a deity cite evil as evidence. Their propositions identify crime as suffering that allegedly innocent human beings face in a cruel world (“The Problem of Evil”). Although describing sin in these terms is not entirely precise, it captures a crucial element. It asserts that, indeed, people face harsh difficulties. There are different categories of evil used to support ideologies of God’s non-existence. The problem of evil isolates and compares natural versus human evil. Inherent danger entails issues that are not direct outcomes of any social action, yet they lead to pain and suffering of innocent persons (“The Problem of Evil”). Claims, therefore, occur that if a benevolent God exists, then the adverse effects of natural evil would cease to burden human life on earth.

By majorly focusing on one type of evil, the concept posits that there exists unnecessary natural evil. The existence of evil offers a rationale for thinking that God does not exist. The pointless and avoidable suffering of harmless beings is incompatible with God’s omnipotence and benevolence (Kahane 6). The concept argues that if there is a God, He is a perfectly well-meaning and omnipotent being. Such an entity could prevent all unnecessary evil if he could (Pecorino). However, unnecessary evil thrives across the world. Besides, failure of the state of affairs in the universe to match with His qualities implies that He does not exist. The inability to solve the logical and evidential forms presented by the problem of evil contributes to the claim that God does not exist.

Based on natural calamities that occur regardless of God’s power to stop it, the concept concludes that He is not real. Disasters like famines and floods adversely impact the lives of innocent citizens. They are confirmation that suffering surrounds human beings. Therefore, there is no omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent God (Holt). However, regardless of the compelling nature of the problem of evil and its argument that seeks to disprove God’s existence, some responses cast doubt on its approach. A probable critique of the belief is the free-will defense (Holt). While it is true that natural evil exists, other willful acts by human beings have more dangerous outcomes. Humankind orchestrates the scariest crimes like murder and rape upon others (Pecorino). Decisions to commit such atrocities are due to the free will that God gave man upon creation (Holt). Thus, the suffering people cause is a price for genuine freedom of choice not proof of the absence of God.

A significant amount of evil witnessed in the universe occurs primarily due to abuse of freedom of choice. Not all destruction and pain is due to human activities. The wide range of damage caused by natural catastrophes goes beyond human understanding and prevention capacity (Holt). However, another likely response to the concept is that the presence of evil in society is a necessary condition to a certain level. Particular positive human attributes are valuable if they exist in communities that contend with anguish (Holt). A good example is the virtue of compassion that thrives when others face suffering. Similarly, a character trait like self-sacrifice has meaning in societies where there is interdependence (Holt). Therefore, the presence of evil in communities does not necessarily imply that God does not exist.

Overall, the topic of God’s existence has its supporters and opponents. Through various arguments, they advance their agenda in a bid to prove or disprove the presence of a supreme being. Atheist beliefs operate on the premise that no deity is in control of the entire universe and life in it. They use the problem of evil to challenge the genuineness of the claim that God exists and has unique, divine attributes that distinguish him from human beings. By criticizing the traits of omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence, the philosophical element of the problem of evil casts doubts on His presence. Although it posits noteworthy arguments, it does not entirely disprove His existence.

Works Cited

Everitt, Nicholas. The Non-Existence of God. New York, NY: Routledge, 2004. doi.org/10.4324/9780203643785

Holt, Tim. “The Problem of Evil.” Existence-of-God. n.d. www.existence-of-god.com/problem-of-evil.html. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.

Kahane, Guy. “Should We Want God to Exist?” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research vol. 82, no. 3, 2011, pp. 674-696. //doi.org/10.1111/j.1933-1592.2010.00426.x

Pecorino, Philip A. “Introduction to Philosophy (Queensborough Community College, CUNY, 2000).” available at (8 December 2011). www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%203%20Religion/Problem_of_Evil.htm. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.

“The Problem of Evil.” Princeton. www.princeton.edu/~grosen/puc/phi203/evil.html. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019

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