I don't want to go boring people to death like I did in the Baby Elephant thread
, but I voted #1. I am really impressed with the comments in the thread. I was a philosophy major in university and really found "The Problem of Evil" fascinating. I do not believe that the atrocities/calamities in the world are evidence that there is no God. I believe that there is a purpose for why we are all here, more than just being a planet-sized aquarium. I don't believe God wants horrible things to happen but also believe that our personal free agency is vital to our own progresion as well as to what God's purpose is. Some people have done wonderful things with that agency and others have done horrible things. The holy texts from the different religions in the world, which I believe were inspired by the same Source, all seem to teach similar principles. I think God does as much as He possibly can to help us do what we should without 'making' us do what we should. JMO.
- Chad