tpe good and evil

Good

actions, characteristics and things which are morally right. Good causes happiness/pleasure.

Evil

actions, characteristics and things which are morally wrong. Evil causes pain/suffering.

Morality

standards of behaviour, principles of what is right and wrong.

Moral Evil

The evil that comes from the actions (something a person does) and omissions (something a person fails to do) of humans. Moral evil is the result of people’s intentions.

Natural evil

The evil that comes from nature; evil produced by the chance operation of the laws of nature. Although nature does not “intend” to cause evil and suffering, it is a likely consequence of natural evil.

omnipotent (all powerful)

God can do anything . God is all powerful > There is nothing God cannot do.

omnibenevolent ( all loving )

God is the most loving , generous being in the whole universe. God has given humans many gifts including life , love , the world and everything in it . God loves humans and only wants the best for them .

There is nothing that God cannot do. He is so powerful that he is able to work against the laws of nature. Christians believe Mary became pregnant through the power of God, even though she had not had sexual intercourse.

“When Mary asked the angel Gabriel how she was pregnant with Jesus as she was still a virgin, Gabriel told her ‘Nothing is impossible with God.’” – Luke 1:3

God created the universe and everything in it; he is powerful enough to do this and has power over everything he has created.

“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” – Jeremiah 32:17

Christians believe God loved people so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to Earth. Jesus died for people's sins so they could be forgiven, be close to God again, and go to heaven.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

God is faithful in his love, which lasts for countless generations of people. God is so loving he gave mankind the whole world and everything in it to them.

“For God is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” – Psalm 100:5

christian defences for evil

• evil exists because of the devil and satan

• evil is necessary to develop a person’s soul through cultative virtus

• life is a test ; evil exists so humans have the opportunity to try and respond with good through experiences of pain and suffering and God also experiences the suffering in the world e.g through the suffering of Jesus on the cross

How can a christian be good?

follow the 10 commandments ( the list of rules given by God to guide Christians)
Follow the teachings of Jesus : love your neighbor , “ let he is without sin cast the first stone” , treat others how you would like to be treated

what is the fall ? ( a way a christian can be good)

a bible teaching about Adam and Eve and how they used their free will to disobey God

the day of judgement ( a way christians can be good)

Christians believe that when they die, God will judge them based on how they have lived. good = heaven bad = hell

doing the will of God ( a way muslims can be good)

muslims are taught that true muslims are those who “ believe and do good deeds “ To identify as a muslim, they must carry out good deeds as taught in the Qur’an.

following Shari’ah ( straight path)

Muslims view bad acts as temptations of the devil (shaytan) and to follow the teachings of Shari’ah to stay on the straight path of God’s commands

following the inherent instinct of Fitrah ( a way a muslim can be good)

fitrah is the ability to understand what is right and wrong. Many muslims would follow their conscience for their actions.

following the examples of the prophet Muhammed ( a way a muslim can be good)

Muslims will read to Qur’an to understand how Muhammed acted with kindness , patience and humanity influencing muslims to do the same.