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Theodicy: an unsolvable paradox?

The term “theodicy” literally means “the justification of God.” ₁

It refers to:

"... Attempts to answer or ponder whether a just and loving God, who created us, can be all-powerful and all-knowing yet permit terrifying evil and painful suffering. Or, when posed from the human perspective concerning divine justice, we ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people, who know, love, and serve God?” The book of Job wrestles with these questions about divine justice. A “theodicy” consists of attempted answers or explanations, by prophets, priests, and sages, for troublesome questions about divine justice." ₂

Many persons skeptical about the existence of God point to the paradox of theodicy as a proof that God does not exist.

Others point to the internal conflicts between an omnibeneficient (all-loving) and omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (all-present), and omniscient (all-knowing) God and suggest that God exists but cannot hold all four attributes simultaneously.

"When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease and that he would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow. Since its original publication in 1981, When Bad Things Happen to Good People has brought solace and hope to millions of readers and its author has become a nationally known spiritual leader." ₃

Rabbi Kushner concluded that we must drop one of God's traditional attributes. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store.

Topics covered in this section:

• Scope of the problem of Theodicy
  
  
• Attempts to solve the Theodicy problem
  
  
• Conflicting beliefs that people have for the South Asian tsunami & Katrina hurricane
  
  
• A series of essays donated by Susan Humphreys:
  • Theodicy: the presence of earthly evil and a perfect God. Extremism: the problem, and how to respond to it.
    
    
  • A solution to the problem of Theodicy.
    
    
  • A solution, Cont'd. The fallacy of perfection: the perfect "Catch 22"
    
    
  • Mourning a loss. A time for reflection

References used:

1. "Glossary of key terms and concepts," Theological Studies, at: http://www.theologicalstudies.citymax.com/
2. Anup Shah, "Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster," 2005-JAN-05, at: http://www.globalissues.org/
3. Copied from Amazon,com's book description.

Copyright © 2008 to 2014 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2008-SEP-11
Latest update: 2014-JAN-30
Author: B.A. Robinson

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