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God And Christianity In The Idiot And The Brothers Karamazov

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Criticism of God And Christianity In The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov
Floyd Mikhailovich Dostoevsky is a renowned Russian author and philosopher who lived during the nineteenth century. Dostoevsky’s writings reflect human nature from his perspective. He focuses on the effects of removing God and sense of morality from society as well as man’s psychological response to suffering and oppression. Dostoevsky 's objective was to show that the West had lost Christ; “[a]nd that is why it is dying; that is the only reason” (Mcinerny, Ralph. “The Christian Response to Atheism: Dostoevsky”). Many characters in Dostoevsky writings voice their philosophical beliefs on God and religion. Alyosha and Zosima advocate for a Christian lifestyle and acknowledge that, “those who kill God also kill man” (Mcinerny, Ralph. “The Christian Response to Atheism: Dostoevsky”). Others such as Ivan and Prince Myshkin either refuse to accept God out of pride or attack the Church, especially the Catholic Church, with false or misunderstood principles. This essay will examine and provide a response to the various criticisms against God and the Catholic Church conveyed by characters in The Brothers Karamazov and The Idiot.
Some of Dostoevsky 's characters struggle to accept God’s existence. The novel, The Brothers Karamazov, “focuses …show more content…

Dostoevsky provides his own response to Ivan’s accusations through his character, Alyosha. Alyosha acknowledges that Ivan 's approach and defense of atheism, "lies in that he renounces God out of love for mankind, comes forward against the Creator in the role of the advocate of all suffering creation" (Kiskaddon, Elissa. “Dostoyevsky and the Problem of God”). Alyosha tells Ivan his reason for rejecting God is simply a ‘rebellion’ and says; “One cannot live by rebellion...” (The Brothers Karamazov pg 245). Alyosha reminds Ivan that Christ suffered an excruciating crucifixion and shed his innocent blood for the sake of man while he is the most innocent and

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