"The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Rebellion - Existence of God

In the novel The Brothers Karamazov by Fydor Dostoyevsky, chapter four is entitled rebellion; Ivan is questioning the existence and/or character of God. In this chapter, Ivan and his brother Alyosha, discuss if God is just and give examples to support their questions. Ivan suggests that believing in God, or spirituality for that matter, can bring unhappiness and suffering. Ivan explains this rationale by telling stories of mistreated and abused children whom he calls "innocent" because they have never committed the sins of adults. Ivan proclaims that if there is such a God he must be heartless and a tyrant to allow sins to affect the innocent.
Ivan uses the old biblical tale of Adam and Eve to distinguish the difference between adults and children. …