Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero
Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero
Rene Bowen
Colorado Christian University
As I was watching the Frontline Video, Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, I was immediately faced with the question about evil. It is hard to imagine how someone could do something so horrific in the name of religion. So many lives were forever changed during the events that transpired on Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2001. As a believer of God, I could certainly identify with the feelings of the people who lost loved ones during the 9/11 tragedy.
During the initial introduction many of the people recalled how beautiful the day started, the sky was blue, clear and perfect. However, as soon as people realized that an airplane had flown directly into the Twin Towers and they faced the realization that they had loved ones who were trapped in the buildings their assumptions quickly changed. Some of the immediate questions, were, “how could God allow these horrible things to happen?” “Did evil cause 9/11 and where was God?”
I am struck with the realization that the presence of evil in the world is an immediate problem for an atheist because just as they do not believe in God nor can they believe in the existence of evil. Therefore, they cannot identify with what is good and what is bad. It just is what it is. I cannot fathom how someone can go through life without experiencing love for another person, and, more importantly, the spiritual love for God. I recall that so many people who were trapped in the towers made calls to their loved ones, not only expressing their love but also their concern for their families and friends.
From a pantheist view, the presence of evil is a problem because they view evil and suffering as illusions created by the human mind. However, evil cannot merely be a reflection that someone can conjure up. This view does not fit with the actual experience of the world or of evil. Furthermore, the belief that people suffer
Rene Bowen
Colorado Christian University
As I was watching the Frontline Video, Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, I was immediately faced with the question about evil. It is hard to imagine how someone could do something so horrific in the name of religion. So many lives were forever changed during the events that transpired on Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2001. As a believer of God, I could certainly identify with the feelings of the people who lost loved ones during the 9/11 tragedy.
During the initial introduction many of the people recalled how beautiful the day started, the sky was blue, clear and perfect. However, as soon as people realized that an airplane had flown directly into the Twin Towers and they faced the realization that they had loved ones who were trapped in the buildings their assumptions quickly changed. Some of the immediate questions, were, “how could God allow these horrible things to happen?” “Did evil cause 9/11 and where was God?”
I am struck with the realization that the presence of evil in the world is an immediate problem for an atheist because just as they do not believe in God nor can they believe in the existence of evil. Therefore, they cannot identify with what is good and what is bad. It just is what it is. I cannot fathom how someone can go through life without experiencing love for another person, and, more importantly, the spiritual love for God. I recall that so many people who were trapped in the towers made calls to their loved ones, not only expressing their love but also their concern for their families and friends.
From a pantheist view, the presence of evil is a problem because they view evil and suffering as illusions created by the human mind. However, evil cannot merely be a reflection that someone can conjure up. This view does not fit with the actual experience of the world or of evil. Furthermore, the belief that people suffer
References: Phillips, W. G., Brown, W. E., & Stonestreet, J. (2008). Making sense of your world: A biblical worldview (2nd ed.). Salem, WI: Sheffield Publishing Co. Frontline video titled, Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/faith/view/