Single Idea 21328

[catalogued under 29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / d. Natural Evil]

Full Idea

Killing, the most criminal act recognised by human laws, nature does once to every being that lives, and frequently after protracted tortures such as the greatest know monsters purposely inflicted on their living fellow creatures

Gist of Idea

Killing is a human crime, but nature kills everyone, and often with great tortures

Source

John Stuart Mill (Nature and Utility of Religion [1874], p.115)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.115


A Reaction

We certainly don't condemn lions for savaging gazelles, but the concept of a supreme mind controlling nature forces the question. Theology needs consistency between human and divine morality, and the supposed derivation of the former from the latter.