Think about the recent hate crime in Paris, France where a teacher was beheaded for opening a class debate on free speech by showing students caricatures of the prophet Mohammed, a prophet of Islam. While many Muslims see the caricature as sacrilegious and a violation of the religious law (Sharia), those who live in secularized France see this tragedy as a form of a “clash of “civilizations” in which the ideals of liberal democracies, with its emphasis on individual rights (of free speech), are in stark contrast and in confrontation with the values of religious belief and law. How would Hick’s theodicy help to make sense of this unfortunate tragedy? Answer this question, first, by explaining the “vale of soul-making” theodicy. Secondly, analyze how hic will view the “evil” intentions of those religious extremists who feel justified in beheading a non-believer with Hick’s defense of theodicy. And finally, explain whether Hick’s defense of God, as a “loving parent” who permits some evil and allows some innocent people to suffer, makes sense or not.
