Why are we supposed to stop evil when God doesn't?

[BobCatholic]

God works THROUGH US!
.

I don’t understand this.

He wants us to do it because he won’t do it. Is God Lazy?

OR

We are nothing but tools. We have no value, except to be used, abused, and yesterday’s news’d. We are not in the image and likeness of God.

 

[LethalMouse]

I don’t understand this.

He wants us to do it because he won’t do it. Is God Lazy?

OR

We are nothing but tools. We have no value, except to be used, abused, and yesterday’s news’d. We are not in the image and likeness of God.

When I play Civilization, the “people” in the game and my citizens are sort of tools and games etc. However, probably because I am weird but I do strive to set up the situation so that their cities and civilization are maximum goodness. I try to provide the best services even if I can win the game earlier, I will drag it out to upgrade the cities etc. Until all my cities are cheering and applauding my rule. The people are of my general image, and the civilizations are as in line with me as they can be.

Natural limitations etc involved in this oh so human analogy. But if some of these characters were able to be “real” and as a result of loyal and quality service I were to pull one out of the game to come live with me? Then they are not yesterday’s news but have earned their place with me.

 

[SilverShadow22]

So, I’m not saying that I have to justify God’s decisions. I am saying that God makes decisions that seem contrary to what the rest of us would think is reasonable. I think it is important to have some reasons behind why it is evil for us to not do something when God Himself doesn’t do it either. Sometimes, freewill is a good answer. If the people in ISIS use their freewill to harm others, then I can see how God actions would be hampered by the entanglement of the gift of freewill. Sometimes, freewill is a bad answer. If a car rolls over a child, who’s freewill would be compromised if he just pushed the kid aside?

It’s more than free will. It’s the laws of nature that He also does not lightly violate.

When the plane’s engines stop, why does the plane fall? Gravity - a law of nature. HIS law. Why did the engines stop?

The free will of the man who didn’t check the plane thoroughly enough pre-flight. The natural consequences of a fallible quality control officer. The margin of error in a man-made automated machining system. The unknown impulse that moved a flock of birds to fly into the intake. The free will of the pilot who didn’t get enough sleep, took drugs, or flew drunk.

Any number of things that would happen as a result of the laws of physics, nature, or free will. An endless chain of cause and effect, action and result, choice and consequence, an endless chain with links we can’t see.

As for Saint Paul…

I think of God as taking a minimalist approach. Sure, he knocked Paul off his horse - the equivalent of a highly charged, very precise shot. A sniper, if you will. He could have knocked EVERYONE off their horse - but in knocking Paul off the horse, He used one single, obvious effort, and then, through ‘natural’ means (word of mouth, preaching) He worked the conversion of many, many others.

He keeps the exceptions few and far between, so as not to turn this world into a puppet show. And it’s not our place to critique when and where He does or doesn’t make His move.

 

[CRATUS]

God is all good.
God allows evil to harm the innocent.
Is it good for us humans to allow evil to harm the innocent?

When a child is killed in an accident, God did not stop it from happening, but he could have done so without expense. Yet, he allows it. Why would it be wrong for a human to do the same thing that God does? If I could easily stop the death of a 5 year old girl, but do nothing instead, it would be wrong - my conscious tells me this simple truth.

This is my first post in the Moral Theology area. I suppose this has been answered many times before, but my search efforts are not finding them.

My thought here is that God permits evil because he has to in order for our free will to exist. But, that if something will happen where “more bad” will result than “good”, then he would intervene and stop it.

I get hung up when it would be “good” for a human to act, but also “good” for God to NOT act in the exact same situation.

I think you are asking questions some people may find blasphemous. Why doesn’t God do what he expects from us? I do not know. Why does He permit suffering? I think we all have theories but we will never know. Is it wrong to ask, be angry, etc? I do not think so. I guess that is mystery we must learn to live with.

 

[BobCatholic]

When I play Civilization, the “people” in the game and my citizens are sort of tools and games etc. However, probably because I am weird but I do strive to set up the situation so that their cities and civilization are maximum goodness. I try to provide the best services even if I can win the game earlier, I will drag it out to upgrade the cities etc. Until all my cities are cheering and applauding my rule. The people are of my general image, and the civilizations are as in line with me as they can be.

Natural limitations etc involved in this oh so human analogy. But if some of these characters were able to be “real” and as a result of loyal and quality service I were to pull one out of the game to come live with me? Then they are not yesterday’s news but have earned their place with me.

It seems that you’re more generous than God is.

Interesting how imperfect human beings can outdo God.

You seek to make people happy temporally. God refuses to do so.

An imperfect surgeon will administer anesthesia when doing operations. The Great Surgeon refuses to do so. Pain is the norm.

 

[LethalMouse]

It seems that you’re more generous than God is.

Interesting how imperfect human beings can outdo God.

You seek to make people happy temporally. God refuses to do so.

An imperfect surgeon will administer anesthesia when doing operations. The Great Surgeon refuses to do so. Pain is the norm.

You miss the loyal part… the rebelious do not get what the loyal do. We are given an inordinate amount to be happy but we fail. In the game I have far more control and puppeteer them. If they were given more autonomy… like an allied cpu nation, I have an allied cpu that I treat well, but they break the treaty and I crush them underfoot.

A good example was often when playing with humans and cpu the humans attack last. Had one guy attack me preemptively. When I fought back well he rescinded his aggression and offered peace. I denied this peace and let him experience my wrath.

I think the issue is perception which I would reference my post here:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=13923196&postcount=40

As it shows that your version of right/wrong may be flawes.

 

[BobCatholic]

You miss the loyal part… the rebelious do not get what the loyal do.

I see lots of rich people who are not loyal. I see lots of powerful people who are not loyal. I see lots of loyal people suffering horrific suffering.

Interesting how the ruler of this world (the guy downstairs) is more generous than God when it comes to temporal things.

We are given an inordinate amount to be happy but we fail.

Because God’s will is the cross. Happiness is optional in life, and not even in God’s will until we get to the afterlife - IF we are loyal.

Until then, life is a series of Good Fridays. Suffering is mandatory. No choice.

 

[davidv]

I see lots of rich people who are not loyal. I see lots of powerful people who are not loyal. I see lots of loyal people suffering horrific suffering.

Interesting how the ruler of this world (the guy downstairs) is more generous than God when it comes to temporal things.

Because God’s will is the cross. Happiness is optional in life, and not even in God’s will until we get to the afterlife - IF we are loyal.

Until then, life is a series of Good Fridays. Suffering is mandatory. No choice.

Which proves to me that loyalty, power, pleasure, and happiness are not correlated, much less in a cause and effect relationship.

Suffering may be mandatory, but for most it is not constant. Neither the presence of, nor the absence of suffering is a reflection of God’s generosity.

Are you blaming God for you unhappiness?

 

[LethalMouse]

I see lots of rich people who are not loyal. I see lots of powerful people who are not loyal. I see lots of loyal people suffering horrific suffering.

Interesting how the ruler of this world (the guy downstairs) is more generous than God when it comes to temporal things.

Because God’s will is the cross. Happiness is optional in life, and not even in God’s will until we get to the afterlife - IF we are loyal.

Until then, life is a series of Good Fridays. Suffering is mandatory. No choice.

In my game in order to build the most glotious civilization sometimes people must bare. Look at WW2 and the rationing of resources. The greater good here. I have another post where I also note the fact that we can succeed if we ACTUALLY live as God calls. Ironically these evil people… the ones temporally blessed…

Okay here is an example (not calling him evil) but take Donald trump, he is said to work 80hrs a week MINIMUM. He puts in the effort. The Devil’s followers must act self to succeed. God tells us to work hard too but we pray to God like he is the magic genie. I have NEVER seen anyone hard times who doesnt rise up who actualy puts forth work. Work at McDonald’s? Do you do the best possible job? Do you put in applications every week? Or did you for 3 weeks then ehhhh then maybe 1 every 3 months and “God should be hooking me up”. We live a life in offense to our toils. Adam was given the work,we given a day of rest. Ironically the evil live God’s punishment and the good laugh at it. Want money? Why not 2 full time jobs for a year or two? Save up live cheap and try a business or such? Neeedddddd that new cellphobe and the csble package? Pffft i am not rich and I am not a walking physique… every single reason is literally my fault.
And no I am not a depressed whoa is this suffering life kind. I am a realist. When and where I am satisfied with the balance that is what I get. If I am miserable I need to live up to the call. In the first world it is near impossible to be full failure. You have to put more effort into inaction than action.

 

[LethalMouse]

Also, do a serious search. There are a surprising number of good rich people. They are most often not the spotlight types. Think about it, no scandal = no news. There are some very interesting rich. But again they are not tabloid front and center, and you might want to consider that. There could arguably be more good rich, again just not publicized. Maybe not the “top” but millions are millions. Plus, like for example the Doctor Landlord I mentioned. Owns like 8 rental houses, a private school, and is a Dr… Trump? No he is not Donald, but I would hardly call him a sufferer. And here he goes about helping children and poor renters with a heart of gold

People at the parish, Judges, lawyers, doctors. Investors etc… you ignore them because they are not in forbes but they are not exactly struggling. Sure a few may be hypocrites and not “good catholics” but some are good. They simply are not lazy God blamers…

 

[o_mlly]

God is all good.

And only God is good.

God allows evil to harm the innocent.

Yes.

Is it good for us humans to allow evil to harm the innocent?

No. Since all goodness comes from God, any and every suggestion to man to do good comes first from God. We may reject His grace and allow evil. God so loves us that He does not override our free will.