Why would God, if s/he (or they) really existed, allow any human being to SUFFER?

Question

Yes, there are some circumstances that a human being is responsible for their position, but there are MANY times when it is out of their hands and in "God's" hands...

Answer 1

May I suggest this? Do know that I admit that it is only from my experience and not neccessarily anyone else's truth. God really does not care about human suffering. I mean it is all well and good to project our human consciousness upon God and say "Well, if I were God, this is what I would do" but ... the fact remains we, as individuals, are not God (at least not in toto.)

I find it impossible to believe in a God that is directly involved in human affairs and would permit the suffering and strife I see around me. I am sure you probably have the same problem.

Now, I have an even bigger problem: I am not an atheist. I have had two direct experiences with The Ineffable. I felt loved and cherished not judged. I was in a pretty bad space at the time, too. I had killed men, women and children (all on orders of the US gov. but still had done that). OK, so all of that did not matter to God.

You can test the effectiveness of prayer. It does not come out very well in scientific tests. Sorry, but it does not. Even for big ticket items like cancer and ending war. No matter what your belief system is, the best you can hope for is inner peace. And that is all I can work on in myself.

So, we have suffering and strife along with the experience of God (and a God of love and acceptance). What can I do to rationalize it? As Warren Zevon wrote: The Vast Indifference of Heaven.

I mean, I raise seamonkeys. When I come over to their tank, they see something reflecting off me. I have no idea what they see but they come swimming over to look. They may have a whole religion based upon me. May have little religious debates about my true nature and what is an acceptable sacrifice, what algae is kosher and what is not. I don't know. I love the seamonkeys but all of what they do or pray for is beyond me.

Hope they do not suffer too much. Hard to know, you know?

Answer 2

I think that we or anyone suffers because of our own mistakes. If my child were to die today... I would surely question God... and hopefully not become bitter. BUT I would also know that I have done things to deserve it. We all fall short. I think if you PRAY, talk to God no matter what your situation that He will help you. This life is full of disappointments and troubles. That is why I always wonder how people cannot believe that there is a God? I would hate to think that this life was it... after that it would be a void. God, please no. Maybe HAPPINESS awaits and all of our questions and heartaches will have an answer? That is all the HOPE that we have... other than our measly 70 years or however long we live. If we live to be 70-80 years old (which is a long time these days)... that is only 70-80 Summers, or Winters to enjoy.... how disappointing...

Answer 3

I'm with Art, I too refuse to belive in a god that sits high and picks and chooses who to zap. We create our own lives by the choices WE make. How arrogant am I to think that "god" loves me more than the little African girl with aids and no parents, dying alone. The perifery are all life lessons. Purpose is to become better people through our challenges and sacrifice.
God was an idea, Great Spirit was an idea, Budda etc were all ideas.
Indigineous people attempting to make sense out of there environmen created this -idea- . There is something greater than we are, there is something bigger than we are...most of us call it God but it is known by many names. It is neither he or she...it just IS. I know that I was made in the likness of that Universal Being...but I do not have a long white beard or robes. I do have grace, dignity, peace and joy. That is the nature of "God" that is the likeness. Humans have to have reasons why things happen...sorry to say folks...not too many answers there. And that is where faith has to come into play. Trusting yourself, loving yourself and making good life choices, ones that fit your life, not the priest, not the minister, not your mother or father, but you. Stay in your right mind and honor humankind and mother earth and you will be fine.

Answer 4

When "bad" things happen to someone it is not that God caused it. They say that Satan is the Prince of the Air and that the earth is his domain...but really free will has a lot to do with it as does Karma.. but then again some believe that when you suffer thru an illness,disease,loss of a loved one,a natural disaster,war..etc..,it is so that you will learn one of the many lessons that we are given to learn in this lifetime.

Answer 5

God gives all humans free will. He doesn't allow people to suffer, other people allow people to suffer. It's not truly in Gods hands, its in the hands of humanity.

Answer 6

As a Christian, I ponder that question quite often. (Don't tell anyone because I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to.) As you said, there are times when people are responsible for their own demise due to bad habits or bad behavior. But, why would God let babies be born sick, deformed, stillborn? Why would he let little children suffer abuse, neglect? He loves us and he is all knowing, so what gives?

Answer 7

Good question> A kind, loving, gentle,caring god who dolts on seeing humans suffer to no end. Evidently god doesn't exist or he is not a kind, loving, gentle, caring god and we are in for an etentity of suffering regardless of our faith.

Answer 8

That's is when you bow down and pray instead of asking why, and why and why.

Do you think humans have all the answers.
Pray the same way I pray and seek in the word of God. I had placed this answer about 100 times, maybe more.
So the way God answered to me, he can answer to you.

Answer 9

We chose to suffer. When you sin you choose to suffer but God still made a way out, he sent his son so that we will be with him in paradise forever (theres no pain and suffering there) and as a born-agian believer pain becomes a way to grow but you must repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior

Answer 10

We cannot begin to understand the amazing wisdom of God the Father, and his ultimae will. Without his very Word, the universe would unravel and the very molecules will fall apart. God doesn't like us to suffer, but sometimes he allows hardship as a method of teaching, to bring us closer to Himself. If your toddler walked into the middle of the street, would you spank him? OF COURSE! You need to get his attention to show how dangerous his action was. It is similar with the Father, he needs to get our attention to alert us to possible danger, pitfalls, bad choices.