Evil happens, including Evil in Life and Evil in the Nature of Things. A young man sets a brush fire then shoots and kills firemen who respond, then kills himself: Why, God? Something is terribly wrong. Why, God? A tornado touches down and kills innocent people, Why? A hurricane, an earthquake, a tsunami. A wildfire. Cancer, Why, God? Evil in the Nature of Things. Years ago, my most perfect and innocent-ever parishioner died of brain cancer and I remember that, during my funeral homily I turned in tears and rage toward the Altar and shook my fist at God, shouting, "What the hell's the matter with you?"  Years ago someone was challenging me to defend God when, I don't recall the details, but someone had died unfairly and unTimely, perhaps the death of a child and grieving survivors were blaming God for the outrage. My response was, and probably still is, that I refuse to defend God who is big enough and old enough to defend Himself; and further that if God is ascribe...