The problem of evil is just as powerful an argument against the existence of Hell

The Problem of Evil is often framed as follows. <br><br>1. If an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God exists, He will not permit unnecessary evil. <br>2. The world undoubtedly contains lots of unnecessary evil. <br>3. Therefore, an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God does not exist. <br><br>But replacement of the word "evil" with "Hell" in (1)-(3) yields the following argument, call it the problem of hell.<br><br>1. If an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God exists, He will not permit hell (i.e. eternal suffering). <br>2. Christian theology is clear that many people will end up in hell after they die. <br>3. Therefore, an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God does not exist. <br><br>Of course, theists will probably respond to the POH in the same way that they respond to the POE. But the very same responses can be made to both the POE and the POH, and thus the POE and POH stand or fall together. This is not to say that the POE and POH are equally strong. But if one thinks the POE has force, one should also find the POH to be similarly compelling. <br><br>Furthermore, theists who bite the bullet re: (2) in both arguments look like they're in a very difficult position.