Most people believe there is a God or that there is a greater being that influences the way we live our lives and the decisions that we make. But can there really be evil and yet still be a God? Or are there limitations on God, and that is why evil is able to prevail? Mackie's argument suggests that only two of the following statements could be true and never the third; God is omnipotent, God is wholly good, and evil exists. In this paper I am fully prepared to demonstrate what Mackie's arguments are. Second I am prepared to show how all three statements are true and coexist and I will present evidence showing why there is a God and yet evil can still exist. I will also be providing my own views in support of God existing and how evil can still prevail. .
2. Mackie's Argument.
Mackie's argument states that all three of the following statements can not be true and that at least one of them must be incorrect for the other two to be correct. God is omnipotent, God is wholly good, and evil exists. Let's first define the meaning of omnipotent. Omnipotent, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is having unlimited authority or influence. So to say that God is omnipotent is to say that God knows everything and that He can influence everything and anything. Now let us define wholly good. According the Merriam-Webster Dictionary wholly is defined as completely or totally and good is defined as being of a favorable character or tendency. So to say that God is wholly good is to say that He has totally favorable character. Now let us define evil. Evil is defined as the fact of suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing. Mackie said that you can not have an all knowing God with favorable character and still have suffering, misfortune, and wrongdoing in the world. Mackie said that this statement contains incompatibility and in order to make it compatible you must eliminate one of them.