Theism’s Demand

Theism and the Problem of Evil

• Initial Perspective on Theism

  • Past beliefs: Theism was seen as improbable due to evidence suggesting an indifferent universe.

  • Observations of the universe include:

    • Lack of divine fingerprints in nature (e.g., DNA, cellular structure, cosmic events).

    • Recognition of pain, cruelty, and insensitivity of the universe.

• Agnostic Position

  • The experience of suffering creates doubt about theism, leading to an agnostic stance.

  • The problem of evil presents a middle ground; the existence of a caring deity is questioned.

  • Moral judgments are integral to evaluating theism; good and evil influence this assessment.

The Role of Moral Judgments in Theism

• Evaluating God’s Existence

  • Claims about God’s goodness necessitate moral evaluations of the world’s suffering.

  • The perception of pain and pleasure informs views on cosmic indifference.

• Suffering and Moral Approval

  • Theistic belief implies an acceptance or approval of earthly suffering.

  • To believe in God requires acknowledging that suffering serves a greater purpose, which may seem unjustified.

  • An instance of pain challenges the believer’s commitment to a benevolent deity, as it suggests divine complacency in the face of evil.

The Tension between Theism and Suffering

• Conundrum of Theism

  • Accepting theism obligates the believer to rationalize suffering.

  • Example: A young child’s death in a fire would require a justification from a moral-theistic viewpoint.

  • The disconnect between divine power and human suffering leads to moral distress.

• Nature of Evil in Theism

  • Theism cannot dismiss the reality of evil; believers must find valid reasons for God's allowance of it.

  • Skeptical theism aims to rationalize this suffering, but many approaches fail to resonate logically or morally.

• Observations on Theist Responses

  • Many theists minimize or overlook the significance of suffering, which diminishes the moral gravity of their beliefs.

  • Skepticism towards theists' explanations: Often viewed as shallow or flippant, undermining the seriousness of suffering.

The Consequences of Forging Belief

• Theism Limiting Empathy

  • A conflict exists where deep care for suffering opposes acceptance of conditional theistic beliefs; one must either close their heart or their eyes to the pain.

  • The moral ramifications of belief can tarnish the believer’s ethical framework, leading to diminished moral culpability for suffering.

• Responses to the Suffering Universe

  • Theism constrains believers' abilities to fully embrace the reality of life’s suffering; requires a selective moral blindness.

  • Personal response: The need to remain emotionally connected to the suffering beings in the world.

Overcoming the Barrier of Theism

• Conditions for Acceptance

  • Acceptance of suffering as morally justified by its victims could potentially alter one’s viewpoint on theism.

  • This would necessitate beliefs in universalism, animal afterlife, and understanding of pain's purpose from the sufferers' perspective.

  • Emphasis on the necessity of victims' understanding and approval of their suffering:

    • Without this, any supposed justification feels like a betrayal of those who have suffered.

• Existential Perspective on Theism

  • There exist existential appeals for agnosticism and atheism; one is not required to apologize for attachments to the innocent suffering.

  • The burden of needing the approval of the sufferer makes the theistic position challenging to maintain.