“God did not create imperfection. He created beings with free will. That they have the power of choice is a more perfect creation than if they didn’t have it.”
Nice try.
If God created Man, he created imperfection.
You have said Man is imperfect. God created Man in his own image. Therefore, God must be imperfect.
Elementary logic.
“Their choice to do evil is intrinsic to them, not to God. If it’s not intrinsic to them, then it’s not free will.”
You contradict yourself. If God created Man in his own image, than God must have evil, just as Man does. Just as with free will: God has free will and gave Man free will (i.e., God gave Man what God has, as Man was made in his image).
So, if evil is intrinsic to Man, it must necessarily also be intrinsic to God.
Evil is a religious concept that led to the concept of morality. Human societies embrace that morality as it is determined by the respective religions; and that morality gives rise to laws, both religious and secular; and thus judgment. What one considers moral in one religion, or one society, may be seen as immoral in another religion and another society.
That is why any specific religion must be kept from holding any secular power. Because SERIOUS evil can result.
So, you see, the concept of God as perfect is a contradiction if God created Man in his own image.
No, you’re wrong. The word “image” doesn’t mean “precise duplication.” If it did, then humankind would be the Creator of the universe.
Understanding the distinction between Creator and creation is critical here.
Meanwhile, you suggest the concept of evil is not objective, and then you go on to use it as though it is objective. Maybe you don’t understand what I mean?