One common argument used by atheist philosopher Allegedly Ian when he debates Christian apologists goes something like this:
Ian: If you could cure childhood cancer by hitting a button in front of you, would you do it?
Christian Apologist: Absolutely.
Ian: So, it is good to cure cancer?
Christian Apologist: Yes.
Ian: If God could cure childhood cancer, would he?
Christian Apologist: Uh, well, uh, hmm, uh . . .big gulp . . . No!
Ian: So, God is not good? If it is “good” to cure childhood cancer, then is God not good if he doesn’t do so?
We know, of course, that God doesn’t cure childhood cancer, because children have cancer, including babies born with it.
Usually, at this point, Christian apologists realize they are trapped, so they start rolling out the justifications and excuses for God. “No, God doesn’t cure childhood cancer, but he has a reason for not doing so.” “Gods thoughts are not our thoughts, and God’s ways are not are ways. God’s ways are higher, unknown by mere mortals.” “Yes, God gives cancer to children, but after they die a horrible death, he will take them to Heaven when they die. Ain’t God good?”
And so it goes, but never forget, God could in a split second cure childhood cancer. That he chooses not to suggests either he doesn’t exist or he doesn’t care about the pain and suffering of his created beings — especially children. Either way, such a deity is not worthy of our worship.
Bruce Gerencser, 69, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 48 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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