Refraction (Bent Thinking) #78

Argument from adverse consequences: because a negative event occurred, therefore specific person or group must be responsible and they must be punished. Refutation: the severity of negative events does not reduce the need to prove the cause(s) of the event. Example:  Amethyst:  “Barry, we should judge Freddy guilty, otherwise others will commit similar crimes.” Side Note: Just because a repugnant crimes or events occur, this does not necessarily mean that a specific defendant committed the crime or that we should judge him guilty. There are those that claim disasters occur because God is punishing non-believers and they use the events to encourage people to fear God.  These people are implying that they know, without doubt, what God is doing and why. Our response should be ask them how they know event A was caused because God was judging X. Also, our response should be to show compassion to humans beings who are suffering.