List pages on the Problem of Evil on this site by Vexen
This page shows that the existence of heaven contradicts the idea that God created evil in order to allow moral free will; and that the existence of Heaven means God does not want suffering to end for those on Earth.
Heaven is a place where there is free will, but no evil
There is no suffering in heaven, and no Evil. This is by definition. It is a perfect place. The free will defence of evil states that God created evil because it wanted us to have free will; that free will was more important than anything else. If free will is of such importance that God creates evil in order to allow moral free will, then the beings in Heaven must have free will. Heaven is a place where there is free will, but no evil. This means that the evil and suffering which exist in the world are not necessary for free will. Free will can exist without the presence of evil and suffering. This means that the free will theodicy is not valid. God could make the Earth and everywhere else the same as heaven, with the same free will, the same hope of meeting God in heaven, but without suffering or evil. We can draw some conclusions from the fact that God has created evil and suffering, despite this not being required for free will:
If God is good, then it does not want us to suffer. God should immediately put every thing in Heaven. It would end all suffering, eliminate all evil, put a stop to all sins. There is no sin in heaven, no transgression, no bad things, etc. If free will is good, then everyone in Heaven has free will, but also everyone is happy and nobody does evil. This is because evil doesn't exist in heaven: it's not possible to act badly just the same as it's not possible, on Earth, to sprout wings and fly around at will. If being in Heaven is the ultimate good, then God would gladly put everyone in heaven. There is no disadvantage of doing this. If God wants to, it can. Why doesn't God want to put everyone in Heaven? If there was an omnibenevolent god with free will existing in heaven, then, all people should automatically be in heaven too. That this isn't the case means that either god cannot do it (is not all-powerful) or doesn't want to (is not perfectly loving), or that God simply doesn't exist, or that Heaven doesn't exist.
An objection from a theist by email: God doesn't "force people to do things":
"You are basing your reasoning on a misunderstanding of the nature of a "loving" God. Love does not "force" people to do anything."
My response was: That's a useless excuse. Why doesn't God put everyone in Heaven? It would end all problems. Just stating that it doesn't do it because it doesn't force people to do things is rubbish. It FORCED millions of South East Asians to move from their homes in the aftermath of the Christmas 2004 tsunami, it forces millions of people to have diabetes, genetic disorders, unfortunate diseases, suffer natural disasters... it forces all these bad things on people, why won't God force heaven on everyone too? Is it true that God forces all the sufferings of life on people, despite their "free will", yet won't force happiness on them? What type of God is that?!! Certainly not a God that holds free will in much esteem, nor one that particularly cares about us! It is as if God was actually evil, or simply not there at all!
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By Vexen Crabtree 2002 Jan 14