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Kingdom of Heaven: Kingdom of Conscience and the Problem of Evil [Video Essay]

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How the 2005's Kingdom of Heaven portraits faith, devotion, and humanity in the middle of a Holy War

Kingdom of Heaven is 2005 film Directed by acclaimed Ridley Scott and written by William Monahan, who also wrote the Departed. Set during the Crusades of the 12th century and centering around the character Balian a French blacksmith who is recruited and knighted by his father to a fight in a holy war to defend the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the massing Musilm army headed by Saladin. In the Holy land Balian hopes to earn gods forgiveness for the sins of his deceased wife and himself. Along the way he must navigate the politics of the court of Jerusalem, fight religious fanatics on both sides and confront his religious beliefs. In this essay I discuss the events of the film and how the protagonist confronts the logical problem of evil that threatens his faith.

The Problem of Evil is a logical problem associated to a monotheistic religion that believes in an is an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good God.
The Problem of Evil explained by Logic,

P1. If an omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient god exists, then evil does not.
P2. There is evil in the world.
C1. Therefore, an omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient god does not exist.

In a question format it sounds something similar to “If god is so powerful why does he allow evil and suffering.” Polythiestic religions often attribute all the evil to one of the gods, or perhaps on disagreements between different gods. But when there is only on god to answer to, the logic and the evidence of evil preclude to existence of such a wholly good god.

Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven Directors Cut is a Magnificent epic, which co-stars Liam Neeson, Eva Green (whose role is greatly expanded in the director's cut), David Thewlis, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Marton Czokas, Alexander Siddig, and Edward Norton.

Kingdom of Heaven Appreciation Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRoJey3NBvE&list=PLvzsHdgd8E2VzuQZSGiGWLa9xXRis45Yf


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Kingdom of Heaven: Kingdom of Conscience and the Problem of Evil [Video Essay]

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