To create or not to create?

[animalinstinct]

I've been struggling with this for a while and was wanting some other perspectives or input.

My issue has to do with evil/suffering so to speak. God is supposed to be the greatest good. I would think that God would prevent suffering whenever possible (For the sake of this argument lets assume God has a justified reason for allowing evil so we don't head down that road). My issue is with creation. I feel, with my current understanding of God, that it would have been better to have no creation at all if even one person would end up in hell (God knowing the future). Lets say those in eternal hell deserve their fate (which doesn't make much of a difference as we all supposedly deserve hell and only see Heaven by grace). I would still think an all loving God SHOULD feel its better to have no creation at all, considering that suffering/evil can only come about with creation. I know if it were me I would feel responsible even if they deserved it. Any input?

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Totally agree. I don't see why God need bother with creation at all - although it would be no effort whatsoever to do, He knows exactly how it would turn out, from start to finish, in every detail and in every possible variation. Even an instantiation with minimal evil, or none at all, would be pointless. If He wanted some worshippers in heaven and sufferers in hell (although why would an omniscient, omnipotent entity want anything, let alone that?) He could just create them in situ; but it seems pointless, given He knows exactly how it will be for eternity...

 

[Ana the Ist]

Why not create a universe of infinite resources so we need not compete? Why not create man and woman biologically so we cannot rape or be raped?

Once you start thinking about it...the questions never end. There are, however, a few answers which satisfy all questions.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Sorry to hear that the world is so bad, from your perspective.

The topic in genral is calleed the "problem of evil" and attempts to answer it are called "theodicies". Discussed a lot here.

"A theodicy is often based on a prior natural theology, which attempts to prove the existence of God, and seeks to demonstrate that God's existence remains probable after the problem of evil is posed by giving a justification for God's permitting evil to happen." - Wikipedia

http://wiki.ironchariots.org/index.php?title=Problem_of_evil

Personally I think it has to do with our assumptions, some assumptions are incompatible with God, others are not.
Having hAd an "epiphany" (religious experience) - {or "nervous breakdown" (from a atheist perspective)} - I can relate to the theologian Bultmans idea which was each relates to God via an encounter as an existential agent, rather than through abstractions andlogical arguments.

Nowadays I meditate quite frequently, it helps to pacify the mind and to focus on positives rather than negatives.

 

[Paradoxum]

Apart from the actual God question, would you create the universe if it had this much suffering? I'm glad to be alive, but it's hard to say yes.

 

[animalinstinct]

Apart from the actual God question, would you create the universe if it had this much suffering? I'm glad to be alive, but it's hard to say yes.

I agree. I wouldn't be able to morally create knowing that I was creating suffering, regardless of how or why. If creation=suffering and no creation=no suffering, I could not do it. I'm aware that there are presumably a large number of variables that I may not even be capable of understanding in reference to Gods nature, the laws of "physics" in the afterlife/alternate "dimension", etc. which is why I am not arguing that it is objectively wrong. I just want some input. Thanks for the responses

 

[PsychoSarah]

Apart from the actual God question, would you create the universe if it had this much suffering? I'm glad to be alive, but it's hard to say yes.

I would, but I view myself as more neutral than good. Suffering is more entertaining than peace. However, I wouldn't claim to be completely benevolent if I made a universe with suffering.

 

[Moral Orel]

I feel, with my current understanding of God, that it would have been better to have no creation at all if even one person would end up in hell (God knowing the future).

Simple answer: don't create Hell.

Lets say those in eternal hell deserve their fate (which doesn't make much of a difference as we all supposedly deserve hell and only see Heaven by grace).

We can't deserve Hell. An infinite amount of punishment for a finite amount of sin is not just.

 

[animalinstinct]

Simple answer: don't create Hell.



We can't deserve Hell. An infinite amount of punishment for a finite amount of sin is not just.

In part, my point exactly.