Two main problems of evil tend to bother atheists and unhappy individuals. First, the evidential problem of gratuitous evil causes atheists to contend that theists must make sense of their belief in light of the facts of evil. This is fitting since atheists deny the existence of a god, and the theists, not only argue for a god, but they also believe this is the omnipotent, omnipresent God Almighty. Second, the existential problem of evil appears to questioned mainly by those who are simply not happy that they exist at all. Happy people do not have a contention against the existence of evil because it seems a natural or spiritual reality in the face of the common good that evil should and does exist, but it is of little consequence to life because life is happy.
The evidential problem of gratuitous evil gives rise to the concept that it's entirely possible that evil exists without any need or existence of God. There is no God and, therefore, no evidence that evil is indeed evil but just a series of unfortunate events that plague people. So say the atheists. The atheist wants evidence, to see what is to be believed. If it cannot be proved, that no evidence can be obtained, then it's possible--no, likely--that evil doesn't exist as theists say it does. Atheists are more of a "show me" group that needs to see something concrete. Since God may be omnipresent, yet fully spiritual and not there to be seen with one's own eyes, atheists fuel their own fires by claiming that since God doesn't just appear, he must then not exist.
Solutions, though suggested and supported by their backers, do not necessarily solve anything, for the arguments still rage over much of the discussions, whereas, the logical problem of evil has been all but counted as "laid to rest" (93), the main problems of evil still cause contention and argument. It's a matter of philosophical inquiry that solutions be offered. Denial seems a popular solution to both atheists and their denials of God--as well as the impact of seriousness regarding evil. Without God, it is elementary that the atheists bring their own natural causes to the likes of evil. Denial also works in the theists corner as theodicists decide to look upon evil as a necessity and that it is purposeful. "Denial" may not be the right word, as most theologians will look to Scripture to say that God's omnipotent omniscience is enough in itself to suggest that no further explanation of evil is necessary, and that seems to be a solution as is.
Existential problems of evil are more easily discussed than that of the evidential problem of evil. Actually, the discussion may appear as abridged as it looks in the textual discourse; however, simple enough is the idea that happy people do not question the light-hearted look at how loving God is to those who would feel particularly fortunate to be alive. It's those who wish themselves dead who question the existence of evil as it were a foregone conclusion of their mean existence in a cruel world that these unhappy individuals seek after something that doesn't exist--their happiness.
Deep in the depths of one's own thoughts, it would be traditional and easy to suggest that all of this discussion over evil and God is but a mute point for most Christians are not likely to argue against the omnipotence of God; rather, standard everyday Christians would look with concern at anyone who would bother to question not only the existence of God but also his strengthening faith, not forsaking any of these humans, who when thought about, were likely born with the seeds of evil upon their hearts. This perspective, similar to many theists, is one that has survived millenia, regardless of philosophic elements.
Still amid one's own deeper thoughts, I would consider a great deal of this inquiry and discussion somewhat mute in point, for it was in Genesis that God repeatedly considered wiping out the human race because they were so wicked (New International Version, Genesis 6:12-14). Wicked! Is that not evil? Did not God Himself suggest that humankind was getting on his nerves and needed to be taught a lesson. As well, in the Gospels, Jesus, too, tired of the disciples lack of--of all things--patience and understanding. Jesus expressed his frustration by stating to the disciples something to effect of: How much longer must I endure this? How closely Jesus came to calling his followers dolts themselves for not seeing that this entire arrangement was God-breathed (Mark 4:13,40). Other Scripture suggests that God knows how many hairs are upon every human soul prior to his or her birth (Luke 12:7). Such acknowledgement of faithfulness on the part of God! This suggests that God knows what each of us is all about, yet He also knows our propensity to commit evil from our hearts. Human beings are given to evil by way of our hearts. Just go down to your local garbage dump site in an apartment complex or mobile home park, and you will see the sloth and evil men do by simply not making any effort to make sure their trash makes it inside one of the large bins available for that trash. The laziness is apparent in the way empty beer bottles are strewn around the ground near the dumpsters: whole, broken, and shattered--not too dissimilar to men's hearts, I suppose.
In the end, evil is problematic because it is not easily defined or pinned down. One man's evil may be another man's blessing, so evil is somewhat relative, though many Christian denominations would be appalled to see such a thing written on paper. While theists do not question the existence of God, only the details surrounding his supremacy and God's allowance of evil, atheists--on the other hand--find it crucial to their lack of belief in a spiritual God that He, in fact, does not exist. The prevailing consensus among theodicists is that evil exists and is extant for the purpose of training humans to become more like God and less like the "animalistic" creatures that God created. It is in this unsolved end that philosophy thrives. No solution stands to extinguish either of the problems of evil. Both the evidential and the existential lie evilly awakened by all men of whatever threads of thought, whether by theists searching for that all-knowing God who may know why evil exists, or by the atheists who think as if we were all candles to be snuffed out and exist no longer because no physical evidence of the supernatural suggests there is some supreme puppet master pulling all the strings of evil in men's hearts, or by the theodicists who continually seek for the solution to the problem of evil.
Works Cited
"New International Version." BibleGateway.com. Zondervan, n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2011.
Rachels, James, and Stuart Rachels. The Truth about the World. New York: Mac Graw-Hill,
2008. Print.
