Nice to see the god supporters out in force this evening.
The real answer is, that there is no god and most of whats considered to be 'evil' isn't actually evil, its just people fighting over their personal belief systems....beliefs in their own version of god.
This fighting over belief systems is unavoidable while ever religion exists in the world. People become offended when challenged and try andnpushntheir own religious agenda. How can two beliefs be right, mine is right, you are wrong. Each attak and counter attack becomes progressively more aggressive and violence follows.
There are some basically evil people around, but read the bible. Its full of violence, oppression, slavery and control. Its absolutely evil, and so many people follow it as a guidance to morality and ethics! As for the threats of abuse simply for not believing, how insecure is god?
Another point that came from this question is that people jumped straight in with the free will debate, so lets alter the original question slightly.
Why does God allow natural disasters in the perfect world he created? How can he allow thousands to die in earthquakes and storms ?
Is free will to blame for giving cancer to kids? or is that proof that there is no god? If it isn't proof, and you still believe then that is surely proof he is a sick and twisted sadist.
Lets all drop the ridiculous god beliefs and then we can all try mutual respect, kindness, compassion and love towards each other.
Religion has failed, let humanity have a try.