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A Question of Philosophy

When evil strikes
In fire and flood
Or untimely death by dread disease
We sometimes wonder “What of God? ”

The ancient Greeks
Long before us
On this very same question reflected.
Wise Epicurus put it thus:

“If God is willing but not able
Such evil to prevent,
Call Him ‘God’ still, if you will,
He cannot be omnipotent.”

“And if He’s able but not willing
Such evil to prevent,
God He may be, but I say
He is malevolent.”

“If God is able and willing, too,
All evil to prevent,
Why in the world should pain and death
Afflict the young and innocent? ”

poem by Pete Crowther
Added by Poetry Lover
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