Carnal Reason

I once tried to imagine what a perfectly evil god might do.

As the single existing entity, He would have no way to express his malice, ergo He would create victims. Billions at least, perhaps infinitely many. Most to be tortured, forever of course. Some to be feted as pets, perhaps to heighten the despair of the damned.

The god assigns these fates for reasons known only to Him, but assign them He does. No other entity can act efficaciously. Every act, however minute, is controlled by the god. The created beings are puppets, their thoughts and actions determine nothing. Their only purpose is to suffer.

The pets believe that all created beings deserve torture, for the crime of being what they are. The god spares a few, and they should be grateful.

It struck me that my flight of fancy was isomorphic to God as described by Calvin and Augustine.

Posted on July 10th, 2005 by pwyll
Filed under: religion