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About this quote

What does it mean?
Heller mocks the concept of a benevolent creator by highlighting physical ailments as evidence of flawed design.
In plain terms
Why would a good god create things like tooth decay?
What can you take from it?
Physical suffering challenges ideas of divine perfection.

Where it applies

  • debating the existence of god
  • discussing bodily pain
  • analyzing faith

Putting it to work

  • questioning religious dogma
  • exploring suffering

Questions to consider

  • Does physical pain contradict divine goodness?
  • How do you reconcile suffering with faith?

Another view

It reduces complex theological arguments to bodily functions.

More from Joseph Heller

  1. 'Do you know how long a year takes when it's going away?' Dunbar repeated to Clevinger. 'This long.' He snapped his fingers. 'A second ago you were stepping in…

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  2. '[T]he God I don't believe in is a good God, a just God, a merciful God. He's not the mean and stupid God you make him out to be.'

    Permalink to quote #23
  3. 'Dear Mrs., Mr., Miss, or Mr. And Mrs. Daneeka: Words cannot express the deep personal grief I experienced when your husband, son, father, or brother was kille…

    Permalink to quote #20

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