There is too much suffering and injustice for there to be a god

This argument is used in the debate Does God exist?.

This argument is a “con” argument in the debate Does God exist?.

Summary

Evil is often synonymous with undeserved and unjust suffering: the victims who die in terrorist attacks or concentration camps, the victims of natural disasters, and so on.

Throughout history, we have seen innocent victims, not only of misfortunes brought about by human will (wars, genocide, crimes etc.), but also of misfortunes deriving from natural forces (tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, epidemics etc.).

So not only is man a wolf to man, but nature spares no one, and both the just and the unjust are struck down. This shows an indifferent universe, following its own course and obeying implacable laws. There is no room in this configuration for a God of love or mercy, concerned with human beings and their destiny, which is subject to chance.

Quotes

References

Justifications

Human life is absurd
The suffering of the innocent contradicts God's goodness
Animal suffering is unjust
History has no meaning
Nature is cruel
God's representatives on earth don't always lead by example
The suffering of newborn babies is unfair

Objections

God is not all-powerful
God permits evil because of freedom
God needs conflict to advance his plan in history
God did not create evil, which exists from all eternity.
God, in evolution, needs conflict to become self-aware
Evil is due to a cosmic accident unforeseen by God
Evil is an illusion
The existence of evil is the punishment inflicted by God
Our world is the best of all possible worlds
Evil contributes to a greater good
God is not good
Man does not have to judge God
The existence of evil is a mystery
Natural evil allows God to communicate a message to mankind
The harm suffered in this life will be compensated for in the afterlife.
The definition of God in this debate implies no morality (Straw Man)

Parent debate