How do you prove God's theodicy?

[sidetrack]

The problem of evil is one of those questions that may stump or even hinder a response to a fair amount of ppl when asked but since this is a very old question (heck I'd even call it a "classic philosophy/theology question") it is not without an answer.The vindication of God's attributes like omnibenolvence and justice in allowing physical and moral evil to exist is called theodicy Still some ppl dont like seemingly convoluted philosophical explanations like how you've got to have coherent defination of God for example and cant see why an omnipotent being couldn't provide a simple and straight answer.Ironically though what ends up happening ocassionely to those who dont accept theodicy and ultimately lose faith in God and his existence is that they usually end up going into cosmodicy (justifying the fundamental goodness of the universe in the face of evil and suffering)and/or anthrodicy (justifying the fundamental goodness of human nature in the face of evil and suffering produced by ppl).In certain ways cosmodicy isn't to far off from theodicy IMO esp.for those who dont think of God as a personal God and/or anthropomorphically. Also I guess non-theistic spiritually has to deal with just cosmodicy and anthrodicy.A religion like Christianity however has to handle cosmodicy,theodicy and anthrodicy doesn't it now ?.I guess there are also times when you've got to prove God's theodicy b/c some ppl might think that what with all the massacres,take no prisoner's wars and battles in the Bible even if he does exist, he is not fit for worship due to these apparently low moral standards and/or he's not entirely good but bad to some degree or even (most blasphemously) entirely like a mythological diety (ex.Loki or Hades).In the end though how do you reconcille God's attributes like omnibenolvence and justice when a person would ask you how can he allow so much evil and suffering like mass starvation or exploitation in sweatshops?.Thank you very much so for your time.

Aside:I could have called this posting How do you prove God's goodness with the problem of evil around? but it's nice to know that there is ans use a specific word just for that.

[mj2001]

In the end though how do you reconcille God's attributes like omnibenolvence and justice when a person would ask you how can he allow so much evil and suffering like mass starvation or exploitation in sweatshops?

It is we who allow mass starvation and exploitation. There is enough food produced in the world to make every man, woman, and child obese. But we, i.e. humanity, divide in such a way that some starve while others are obese. And, it is we (humanity) who exploit children. God has no need for food or clothes--and he has given us a world that provides enough for all. When your friend insinuates that God is responsible for these things, I'd remind him of our own moral responsibilities and suggest that he stop blaming God for our failures.