Sam Harris' version of the Lewis Trilemma

[dyanaprajna2011]

Most of us here are probably aware of a saying by Christian theologian C.S. Lewis, which is called the Lewis Trilemma, and goes something like, "either Jesus Christ was a lunatic, or he was simply mistaken, or he was who he said he was, God incarnate." I've recently come across this little gem from atheist Sam Harris, and has a similar approach:

"Either God can do nothing to stop natural catastrophes,
or he doesnt care to, or he doesnt exist.
God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary.
Take your pick, and choose wisely."

He said this right after the tsunami ransacked Japan in 2011. Personally, I agree with his sentiment. Anyone else want to offer their thoughts?

 

[Willamena]

Those who "choose wisely" may not do so for the reason Sam Harris would have. The imagined god is also the god whose attributes go unprofessed, and that aligns with what a lot of theists say.

 

[George-ananda]

"Either God can do nothing to stop natural catastrophes,
or he doesnt care to, or he doesnt exist.
God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary.
Take your pick, and choose wisely."

I'll go with "he doesn't care to" as the best of the three choices.....as Harris wants us to agree there are no other logical possibilities.

In my view physical life was designed to include: Birth/Death, Love/Hate, Bounty/Disaster, Joy/Suffering, Kindness/Hatred, Health/Disease, Youth/Decrepitude etc.. A complex environment is a soul's best learning ground.

All physical suffering is temporary and we are eternal and will succeed in the end

 

[Sunstone]

Most of us here are probably aware of a saying by Christian theologian C.S. Lewis, which is called the Lewis Trilemma, and goes something like, "either Jesus Christ was a lunatic, or he was simply mistaken, or he was who he said he was, God incarnate."

Lewis neglects to mention a fourth and fifth possibilities. (4) Myths and legends grew up around the figure of Jesus, in much the same way myths and legends have grown up around famous figures in our own time -- e.g. Elvis has been spotted numerous times after his death, and has even healed some people, according to the postmortem legends. (5) Some folks -- perhaps including Paul -- for reasons of their own elevated Jesus to a deity following his death.

I've recently come across this little gem from atheist Sam Harris, and has a similar approach:

"Either God can do nothing to stop natural catastrophes,
or he doesnt care to, or he doesnt exist.
God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary.
Take your pick, and choose wisely."

He said this right after the tsunami ransacked Japan in 2011. Personally, I agree with his sentiment. Anyone else want to offer their thoughts?

This is the ancient problem of evil as restated by Harris. Harris' addition is the imaginary category.

 

[Sees]

Intentionally using absolutes is fun but that's about it. I do like Sam Harris though he likes the fight fire with fire stuff

 

[fantome profane]

Most of us here are probably aware of a saying by Christian theologian C.S. Lewis, which is called the Lewis Trilemma, and goes something like, "either Jesus Christ was a lunatic, or he was simply mistaken, or he was who he said he was, God incarnate." I've recently come across this little gem from atheist Sam Harris, and has a similar approach:

"Either God can do nothing to stop natural catastrophes,
or he doesnt care to, or he doesnt exist.
God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary.
Take your pick, and choose wisely."

He said this right after the tsunami ransacked Japan in 2011. Personally, I agree with his sentiment. Anyone else want to offer their thoughts?

This is just a restatement of the problem of evil. The credit should go to Plato, not Harris.

That being said I think the argument has some validity. There are a couple ways around it, but those create new problems of their own. Theists that I respect struggle with the problem of evil, but that struggle does not turn them into atheists.

As for Lewis's "Lord,Lunitic, or Liar" argument he makes the fatal flaw of assuming that a non-believer would agree that everything said in the Bible is true. Which is obviously a contradiction. He assumes that everyone would agree that Jesus claimed to be "God". And not everyone does.