(Nov 6, 2017 09:29 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: Is a malevolent god going to listen to the prayers of millions of people who don't want evil or to the one who does?
"Bad things" could as much result from an indifferent or negligent deity -- misconstrued as being deliberate or evil enjoyment. Stepping on an anthill just falls out of relationally giant human beings being what they are rather than always being intentional.
A man said to the Universe, "Sir, I exist!". "However," replied the Universe, "The fact has not aroused in me a sense of obligation". --Steven Crane
A deistic god arguably has a principle of non-intervention about his petri dish of critters. Similar to the Federation in Star Trek having a rule to not interfere in the affairs of planets with sub-FTL level societies.
"After my setting up the initial conditions, you microbes are free to develop and inventively diversify however you want. Just don't blame me if your plans and standards have monstrous or tragic outcomes and you never ascend to higher status."
But the Abrahamic deity seems to play both.
"Daddy's going to let you do your own thing because you rebelliously wanted that freedom. But still occasionally stick his nose in because he loves you, offers a scheme for redemption or return to paradise, blah-blah."
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