If God is omnipotent and omnipowerful then why does he allow Poverty, Hunger, Wa

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  1. Sundeep Kataria profile image62
    Sundeep Katariaposted 8 years ago

    If God is omnipotent and omnipowerful then why does he allow Poverty, Hunger, Wars etc. to exist?

  2. jacharless profile image75
    jacharlessposted 8 years ago

    Forgive the rhetorical question but why do you automatically assume God is allowing these things?
    Second, it is mankind who was given each other and the world to govern. Because of their disconnection to Creator have gone amuck. It is not God warring, it is not God polluting, it is not God who cares for economics. The earth continues to bring forth food, water, air, trees, stone and metal. How mankind chooses to use it is not Gods fault.

    1. Lucid Psyche profile image61
      Lucid Psycheposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point Charles. If I were to add anything it is that we have free will. Without free will what would we be? Also the drama and concerns that play out on this physical earth may be relatively unimportant when put in the proper context.

    2. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If there is a disconnect between God and man...then why do you assume that man is to blame?  Mere mortal humans do not have the power to circumvent the will of an omnipotent being. And if FREE WILL acts as Kryptonite, then God is not all powerful.

    3. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Get: Bcuz there is a "disconnect between God & man" due to "unbelief," there are "repercussions!"  You're rt - we cannot "circumvent the will of an omnipotent" God! Ask Adam&Eve if "free will" is Kryptonite yet He allowed them to live & s

    4. Kiss andTales profile image60
      Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      To answer this question I will ask you a question , true all things listed are happening,  but as a president gets elected into office , does he solve issues and complaints right away, he is not sworn in yet, and when he is it takes time for issues

    5. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      K&T: "unbelievers" must first adhere to II Chron 7:14 until then, they will remain the same!

  3. Ericdierker profile image46
    Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

    All kinds of bad stuff happens, but suffering is optional. It is good to speak of such matters when we are facing no great seeming obstacles. Kipling wrote to the effect: "if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same". An Aspen tree seed requires the heat of a forest fire to germinate. Both the finest plow and the finest sword require a furnace and violent pounding to be forged.
    Poverty, hunger and war are terms we immediately recognize as bad, bad and bad. Who are we to say that God views them likewise? A loving father only winces when his child falls and skins his knee he does not prevent the child from running again. What would we have God prevent us from learning from?

    1. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It appears that people are always CREATING God in the exact image they want Him to be. Good job!

    2. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      A step ahead!  At least we've "created" GOD!

    3. Kiss andTales profile image60
      Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Who has the legal right to Rule and make changes? After king David, King Solomon, 
      The next who will was appointed is The Messiah Jesus, his kingship is located in the heavenly realms, but his work is like no others, he is doing an education work .

    4. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      K&T:  Yes He is doing an "educational" work now!  Please "listen!" Study!

  4. Austinstar profile image85
    Austinstarposted 8 years ago

    If you are omnipotent and omnipowerful, then you possess the means to stop scenes like:
    1. A child being brutally beaten by its parents
    2. A baby being aborted
    3. A psychopath or sociopath raping and killing a teenager
    4. A few hundred thousand children starving to death or dying of preventable illnesses.
    5. Women being raped and murdered.
    and the list goes on and on.
    It's like standing around watching a man shoot and kill a dog or person when you have the power to take that gun away from that man and protect their lives, but you do nothing.
    So, therefore, god is either NOT omnipotent and omnipowerful, or he is a psychotic torturer of humans for no apparent reason or he just doesn't exist at all.
    The free will excuse just doesn't apply to children or women who cannot defend themselves, so don't say that it does.

    1. Ericdierker profile image46
      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You express your anger at God very well. And you make the case that there is no God very well. "if there is no God then who in the hell should I be mad at?"

    2. Austinstar profile image85
      Austinstarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      There is no reason to be mad. We simply haven't evolved enough to control our capacity for violence and empathy. We will get there if we survive as a species. I am not angry at "god" I just don't see any evidence for one.

    3. Billie Kelpin profile image85
      Billie Kelpinposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Austinstar, Agreed! If as believers feel, we are created in God's image, then our capacity for suffering would imply that a Creator would understand such suffering and like wish for suffering to cease, so an omnipotent Creator would not allow it.

    4. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      BK:  He understands; we don't!  "ALL thgs work together for good to them that love God, ACCORDING to HIS PURPOSE."  (Rm 8:28)  He's the Creator; therefore, it's HIS PURPOSE not "ours!"

    5. Kiss andTales profile image60
      Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Eze 21:27A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I will make it. And it will not belong to anyone until the one who has the legal right comes, and I will give it to him.’
      Notice God's does things (Legal) !
      The one he chose to represent him
      Will Rule with change.

    6. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      K&T: Why is it I see so many "studying heaven" rather than "studying how to get to heaven?"  They speak of the "New Government," He's coming again, He'll change things, etc" which is true, but do we not want to be ready?

  5. Oztinato profile image76
    Oztinatoposted 8 years ago

    This is a classic "blame god paradox". By blaming God a person is still saying He exists!

    1. Austinstar profile image85
      Austinstarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Who is blaming god? Not atheists. They do not blame a god or gods because he/she/it is not there to blame. If YOU think god is "omnipotent and omnipowerful", YOU are attributing a god with these qualities.  My answer is my opinion.

    2. Billie Kelpin profile image85
      Billie Kelpinposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I agree w/ Austinstar, Atheists don't blame God. You can't blame an entity u feel doesn't exist.There is no blame - just the opinion that the world is the world, life is what it is. If you want to call it all a changeable god,  that's fine with me.

    3. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Oz. If your God was real, then, yes, he should definitely take the blame.But that's only if he existed. As a parent, if I didn't protect or feed my children, would you say I was not to blame? Please don't play the free will game.That explains nothing

    4. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      But He has "feed us" with His Word but we fail to eat thru "unbelief" creating "self made" repercussions!

    5. Kiss andTales profile image60
      Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Next when all earthly subjects willfully allow
      To be educated and apply changes , then they will be a New Earth and Heavens that work togather for the peace and happiness of all humans who work with him.
      This system as we speak is satan and ending

    6. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      K&T: We MUST "overcome" @ Heb 6:1-3 in preparation for "New Government!"  Until we "mature" in His Word re:baptism, laying..." we can't begin to "study heaven!"

      Don't "put the horse before the cart!"  Let's get ready for inclusion in the New Go

    7. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Norinne, We cant eat words!  One should not try to replace REALITY with METAPHORS. Yes UNBELIEF is for people who refuse to drink the poisoned Kool-Aid. Believing something just because I am threatened shows a rigid submission to authority...not God.

    8. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Get: It seems u've "eaten" man-made "words!" If u created robot, He obeys u! So it is w/GOD, THE CREATOR, or consequences!

    9. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      No Norine. It is the believers who have eaten the words of man...men who wrote stuff down, then claimed that God told them to. God did not create u or me. U just believe that because, u believe the words of ancient humans. They sold u this God.

    10. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Get;  Great SALE with "benefits!"

    11. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If you consider false hope a benefit, then yes.

    12. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Get: Action "SEEN" in my life is not false, you may think a LIE but I've SEEN!

      Unbelief LIMITS "SEEING!"  (Hebrews 3:19)

  6. profile image51
    Norine Williamsposted 8 years ago

    God destroyed mankind in the Days of Noah and it broke His heart!  Genesis 9:13-15 shows He "...set a bow in the cloud, a covenant between earth and God...(v15) and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh."  Are you looking for a sign? Read Matthew 16:4.

    I once asked a Hubber, "If you were the creator of a robot, had programmed him to obey your commands, but he acquired a "mind of his own," that was beyond reprogramming, what would you do?  Destroy him! So did God in the days of Noah with the exception of 8 souls.  However, it broke His heart; therefore He stated Genesis 9:13-15! 

    God is the Creator of mankind as you are the designer of the robot.  He created us to obey His command (Matthew 22:37) but we've acquired a "mind of our own" (free will) that has acquired knowledge beyond the Creator's (or so we think) that "loves the creation (selves) more than the Creator" (GOD), Romans 1:25!   

    As you've worked years creating your robot, you've acquired a love for him and do not wish to destroy him no matter how disobedient.  So it is with God who loves us so much He is allowing us to practice "free will!"  As stated by Charles James "How man chooses to use it is not God's fault!"  However, we are fortunate in that He has left us written instructions (The Scriptures) and Grace which allows our return from disobedience to Him!

    Scripture says "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:14-15).  So far (and due to exercising our "free will"), we can see whom we have chosen!

    Now, concerning "proof of God!"  Is there another book in the world (beside the Bible) that has had prophesies fulfilled even during our lifetime?  (Example: 9/11 mentioned in Isaiah 9:10!)  Explain?

    Some want "proof" but God stated in Matthew above that "there will be no sign."  The "proof" that they seek is within each of them which due to their "unbelief," limits His Power!  Mark 6:5-6 says {paraphrasing} Jesus couldn't do any "mighty work" there (v6) because of their "unbelief."  Therefore, those who "do not believe," are limiting the Power of God and will never "see" the "proof" they're seeking!

    1. Kiss andTales profile image60
      Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      All things done wrong will be undone, all life lost unjustly will be returned,  sickness will not exist, neither evil ways , and crime , bad
      Habits that cause sorrow and pain.
      The bad experiences of earth since Adam and Eve will cease.
      Isa 33:24

    2. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      K&T: Most continue to speak of the "New Government" but are we ready?  Do we live according to how commanded Gal 1:6-9 under the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42) as the disciples did when "orig Church" was established on the Day of Pentecost?

    3. Kiss andTales profile image60
      Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Norine so far your appearances here to me is very questionable when giving you scriptures they do not apply to you but you want to make scriptures apply to everyone else, that is not realistic in all fairness.How can you teach when you do not listen

    4. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      K&T: Listen to WHAT? Did I not say when teaching, I teach to myself too?

      I still ask "Are you ready?" 

      Acts 2:42?  or Galatians 1:6-9!

  7. iggy7117 profile image92
    iggy7117posted 8 years ago

    Mankind was given free will and all these things you mention are of this world and not of God. Jesus taught to give and share to others like they were your family, love thy brother.

    In society today there are so many non believers and you want to blame God for the things here on earth. The people need to start believing and living by his teachings and we would not have these things, it's not in god's hands to help those that do not call upon him and believe.

    1. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Amen iggy!

    2. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So God is angry at us, just because we don't believe in him? Isn't that kinda petty and immature, especially for a God?! However I'm pretty sure that believing in ancient texts will not bring peace to the earth. 38,000 diff denominations prove that.

    3. profile image51
      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Get: Call HIM what u will but HE's the Creator & has set the rules!  "38,000 diff denom" as is diff levels of school!  "Belief" is fm PK1 to PhD!  No "Belief" His POWER "LIMITED!"

  8. Dakk profile image83
    Dakkposted 8 years ago

    Approaching this question exclusively under a Christian perspective, its quite easy to answer this. This question is old as hell, anyway.

    Christian doctrine dictates that man was given free will, and thus, is free to direct his action, and thus is also responsible for them and their consequences. If poverty, hunger and wars result from human behavior, then man is responsible for it, not God, and if God intervened, he would be breaking his own rule, as he would essentially break man's free will. This does not mean God cannot show us how to improve ourselves and teach us new things.

    Human suffering has a clear reason in pretty much any religion.

    Hinduism, for example, says that suffering is just part of normal human existence, and the only way to escape it is to leave human existence altogether by freeing oneself from the cycle of reincarnation, which can only be achieved by transcending human existence.

    By the way, omnipotence and "omnipowerful" essentially mean the same thing, so that's kind of a tautology there.

    1. getitrite profile image71
      getitriteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      That's kinda like a God that's not really there. If that's the best He can do, it would seem that He may as well not exist..and prayer and worship is useless.Prayer is asking for intervention. But if God cant break his own rules he cant find my keys

  9. days leaper profile image61
    days leaperposted 8 years ago

    And stop thus the child experiencing suffering. the parents a chance to become remorseful. without such things this world becomes pointless as it would simply be a heaven from heaven.

 
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