---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the Christian religion, though perhaps…"
description: "\"“In the Christian religion, though perhaps not in any other, we frequently find a conception of god that is selfcontradictory and therefore corresponds..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg"
---

#  In the Christian religion, though perhaps not in any…

![“In the Christian religion, though perhaps not in any other, we frequently find a conception of god that is selfcontradictory and therefore corresponds to nothing. That is the conception formed by the following three propositions taken together: 1. God is all-powerful. 2. God is all-benevolent. 3…” quote by Richard Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg)

> ““In the Christian religion, though perhaps not in any other, we frequently find a conception of god that is selfcontradictory and therefore corresponds to nothing. That is the conception formed by the following three propositions taken together: 1. God is all-powerful. 2. God is all-benevolent. 3. There is much misery in the world. A god who was all-powerful but left much misery in the world would not be all-benevolent. An all-benevolent god in a world containing much misery would not be an all-powerful god. A world containing a god who was both all-powerful and all-benevolent would contain no misery. Here, then, we have a mathematical proof bearing on a common religious doctrine. Anyone who is confident that he frequently comes across misery in the world may conclude with equal confidence that there is no such thing as an all-powerful and all-benevolent god. And this mathematically disposes of official Christianity, as has long been known.””

Richard Robinson

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The coexistence of omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and pervasive evil is logically contradictory, challenging traditional theistic belief.

**In simple terms:** All-powerful, all-good god cannot coexist with extensive suffering.

Key Takeaway

Reevaluate assumptions about divine nature.

Themes

philosophy theology problem of evil

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

Atheism:1 Atheist-argument:1 Christian religion:0 Contradiction:1 Philosophy:1 Philosophy-of-atheism:1 Problem of evil:1 Proof:1 Religion:0 Self-contradictory:1 World God:0 Benevolent God:0 Conception God:0 God Benevolent:0 God Mathematically:0

When to use this quote

- academic debate
- personal belief
- ethical discussions

Key Concepts

logic faith morality human suffering

Questions to Reflect On

- Does this argument affect your belief?
- How do you reconcile suffering with faith?

A Different Perspective

Some find faith compatible with evil through free will.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist-argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist-argument/) [Christian religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-religion/) [Contradiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradiction/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Problem of evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-of-evil/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/)

## Related quotes

> [“Debbie Nathan’s thesis is that Shirley Mason was a vulnerable hysteric and was manipulated by her therapist into iatrogenic DID and false memories of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-a-ross/debbie-nathan-s-thesis-is-that-shirley-mason-was-a-vulnerable/)

[Colin A. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-a-ross/)

> [“The traditional arguments for the existence of God have been fairly thoroughly criticised by philosophers. But the theologian can, if he wishes, accept this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-mackie-2/the-traditional-arguments-for-the-existence-of-god-have-been-fairly/)

J.L. Mackie

> [“For the first time (but how long will it take us to acknowledge this?) in the history of ideas, a philosopher had dedicated a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-onfray/for-the-first-time-but-how-long-will-it-take-us-to-acknowledge-this/)

[Michel Onfray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-onfray/)

> [If God is Trinity and Jesus is the face of God, then it is a benevolent universe. God is not someone to be afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/if-god-is-trinity-and-jesus-is-the-face-of-god-then-it-is-a/)

[Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/)

> [If one yearns to see the face of the Divine, one must break out of the aquarium, escape the fish farm, to go swim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/if-one-yearns-to-see-the-face-of-the-divine-one-must-break-out-of-the/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [The core problem isn’t the fact that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-core-problem-isn-t-the-fact-that-we-re-lukewarm-halfhearted-or/)

[Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/)

> [“The benevolent God of Light will forgive your sins.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yu-wo/the-benevolent-god-of-light-will-forgive-your-sins/)

[Yu Wo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yu-wo/)

> [Theologians and philosophers, who make God the creator of Nature and the architect of the Universe, reveal Him to us as an illogical and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/theologians-and-philosophers-who-make-god-the-creator-of-nature-and/)

[Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/)

> [You shall always find what you created in your mind, for instance, a benevolent God or an evil Devil. Between them are countless facets.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-bender/you-shall-always-find-what-you-created-in-your-mind-for-instance-a/)

[Hans Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-bender/)

> [I believe in a benevolent God not because He created the Grand Canyon or Michelangelo, but because He gave us snacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rudnick/i-believe-in-a-benevolent-god-not-because-he-created-the-grand-canyon/)

[Paul Rudnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudnick/)

> [“It's curious to note that the miracles performed by an "all-loving" and benevolent God so often involve sparing a handful of people from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atheist-republic/it-s-curious-to-note-that-the-miracles-performed-by-an-all-loving-and/)

[Atheist Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atheist-republic/)

> [If a benevolent God exists, so does reincarnation. He wouldn't send me here just once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/if-a-benevolent-god-exists-so-does-reincarnation-he-wouldn-t-send-me/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [“There are some things which, by the very act of existing, negate the possibility of a benevolent God. Genocide. Child molesters. Snow boots with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shukyou/there-are-some-things-which-by-the-very-act-of-existing-negate-the/)

shukyou

> [I worship nothing. Not a good lie nor a dark one. If nature is proof of God's amazing creation then I have truly seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-numan/i-worship-nothing-not-a-good-lie-nor-a-dark-one-if-nature-is-proof-of/)

[Gary Numan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-numan/)

> [Intelligent Design opens the whole possibility of us being created in the image of a benevolent God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-dembski/intelligent-design-opens-the-whole-possibility-of-us-being-created-in/)

[William A. Dembski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-dembski/)

## More Atheism quotes

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/)

[Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/)

[Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/)

> [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/)

[Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/)

> [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

> [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/)

[Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/)

> [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/)

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/)

> [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

[Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“In the Christian religion, though perhaps not in any other, we frequently find a conception of god that is selfcontradictory and therefore corresponds to nothing. That is the conception formed by the following three propositions taken together: 1. God is all-powerful. 2. God is all-benevolent. 3. There is much misery in the world. A god who was all-powerful but left much misery in the world would not be all-benevolent. An all-benevolent god in a world containing much misery would not be an all-powerful god. A world containing a god who was both all-powerful and all-benevolent would contain no misery. Here, then, we have a mathematical proof bearing on a common religious doctrine. Anyone who is confident that he frequently comes across misery in the world may conclude with equal confidence that there is no such thing as an all-powerful and all-benevolent god. And this mathematically disposes of official Christianity, as has long been known.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Robinson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-robinson/in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps-not-in-any-other-we/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Atheism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-robinson/in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps-not-in-any-other-we/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27c/richard-robinson-186099_atheism_in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps_915682.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In the Christian religion, though perhaps not in any other, we frequently find a conception of god that is…” — Richard Robinson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Richard Robinson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-robinson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“In the Christian religion, though perhaps...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-robinson/in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps-not-in-any-other-we/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-robinson/in-the-christian-religion-though-perhaps-not-in-any-other-we/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
