Why do bad things happen to good people?

Question

How can people who volunteer their time and money, lend an ear or helping hand or otherwise live to contribute to society and not take from it sometimes have the worst circumstances? Health issues that affect their ability to function, reduce their income and productivity, loss of loved ones from debilitating illnesses, accidents caused by others, apathy from the ones that received assistance from them, why why why? Is there eventual relief? Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy? And if so, what about events beyond control, like cancer, bankruptcy, job loss? Is there such a thing as ultimate justice and is it evidenced in this lifetime or does it have to wait til the end?

Answer 1

Why do good things happen to bad people?

Answer 2

OKay this is tough to answer so here goes. I am Basing this on a belief in God and answering from that point of view: Why doe God let bad things happen to good People?

1. I stole this from Dan Brown's Angels and Demons.
2.I am going to do my best to paraphrase what was said.

Imagein you had an 8 year old son. Would you love him?
Of Course you would.
Would you let your sone Skateboard?
Sure you would after making sure he had all the proper protective gear and you told him things like: don't skate in the street and be careful and such.
So as a parent you would give your child basic, good advice and let them go off and make their own mistake.
now if your son fell and skinned his knee would you blame yoursefl and never let them skate again. Doubtful
Your child would learn to be more careful and although you had the power to prevent all their pain, you didn't. You chose to show them your love by letting them learn their own lessons.
Pain is a part of growing up and it's how we learn.

Okay I doubt this "parable" answered your question but maybe it created a little bit of understanding.

The truth is nobody knows why bad things happen to seeminigly good people. Stuff happens. It sucks but we have to live with it and hopefully, you can become a stronger and better person, despite your situation.

People sometimes a not nice or are just plain mean. I can't really answer your question any better then that. Sorry

Answer 3

Some people will say that everything is just random and there is no cause and effect, but this is not how they really live. It may be an interesting idea when you're just sitting around speculating, but when it comes to real life, we all expect, or at least have a reasonable hope, that when we work for something, say like at our job, we will get paid. If its all just random, then why work for money, why work for anything? Why not just sit in the street and maybe randomly money and a nice house, etc, will just appear?

Its a totally reasonable expectation to anticipate rewards for our actions because within we do know that the universe is totally under the laws of cause and effect and since we are just a part of the universal scheme, we are also subject to those laws. After all, isn't this what science is all about? We study science because we know that the laws of cause and effect do exist and are completely in control of this universe. And our lives are no exception.

To understand why bad things happen to good people, its necessary to go under the surface of what is readily apparent to us. Each of us is eternal, a spiritual spark of consciousness, a spirit soul and we have been in this material world for millenia, suffering and enjoying various situations according to the type of body and its circumstances. These circumstances are determined by our desires and activities. The people in question, the good people, have not always been good people. In previous births they performed actions that gave them the results you witnessed. Just as in the ordinary state justice system, criminal activities are punished by time in jail or fines, etc., the universal justice system, punishes us for each transgression of the laws of nature by giving us either relatively comfortable or miserable situations. We see all around us living beings who are suffering and others who are more comfortable. Each of us gets exactly what we deserve at every moment. The witness to all of our activities is the Paramatma (Supersoul), a plenary expansion of the Lord who accompanies every living in the heart. And it is also the Paramatma who directs the material nature to give us the results of our good and bad activities.

The system of universal justice is perfect because it is directly in the control of the Supreme Lord. If we investigate under the surface of things and delve deeper into the subject, its possible to know things as they are. I recommend the Bhagavad-gita if you desire to go into this further.

Answer 4

Well, if one takes a secular approach, he/she would say that these events are randomized...it doesn't matter whether someone is good or bad, bad things just happen. If one looks at it from a spiritual stance, as in "Why does God allow this?"--well, for one thing, God granted people free will--so the ills that individuals visit upon others is their choice. I once had a philosophy professor relate this adage which serves as some explanation for how an all-powerful God can allow suffering: God is creating a beautiful tapestry. All we can see is the back--the side with tangled strings that looks like a complete mess. We can't see (yet) the beautiful masterpiece he's creating.

Answer 5

I guess I believe that all things happen to all people. Good and bad and in between. When I was younger, it really violated my inner sense of "justice", and it drove me crazy. How was I supposed to live in a world that is so random and unfair? I have not answered your question in my head even today, but I have found a better focus for my life. I give to others unselfishly, I accept others' help when they offer it, and I do my best to "look up". I guess, the more bad stuff you go through, the better you can be at helping someone else endure something similar in the future. ? I hope I didn't bore you...

Answer 6

Life is random.

Bankruptcy and job loss are directly tied to the economy/capitalism.

Cancer is a RANDOM cell mutation that causes rampant cell division. Granted there are carcinogens that will increase your risk.

Illness can be avoided, and can all be traced back to the vector they came from.

Accidents are just that, accidents.

If you want relief turn to god and the scriptures, but first you have to stop blaming/questioning him. There is no cosmic justice, but you will be ultimately rewarded for the good you do now.

Answer 7

I asked this question to my boyfriend when we were just getting to know each other and anyhow his answer and i loved it was our souls are learning something we need to move on into the perfect heaven. Now do not get me worng I am not an overly religious person but it gave me another way to see it. We need bad things to happen so we can really see the positive in our lives and appreciate what we have

Answer 8

Because that's life! Because that is the nature of the universe. Good and bad are human concepts. Good things happen to bad people, good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. Justice, "the upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law," is a human concept as well. Where in nature do you see "justace?" In the end, we will all seize to exist, so it will no longer matter. In my opinion, that is a very refreshing thought.

Answer 9

Define bad- I can loose my job and I may say that that is bad, but later find out is was the best thing that happened. My daughter recently got sick and had heart surgery, it brought about a change in my life and family...

if your true peace and happiness comes from God then even the fear of death itself is gone- what do you have to fear.

Answer 10

I believe evil entered into the world with the original sin of Adam in the bible. Until Jesus returns I believe that there will never be true fairness or justice because of sin.

Answer 11

I have always thought there was a purpose to certain good people being chosen to have bad things happen to the. Don't know the reason though.