Do you ever question why suffering is necessary in a belief system?

Question

I have suffered greatly due to my religious practice and it was not for want of trying to be a good person. Then I wondered if this was what 'god' would want for any of us? Suffering is not a natural state..........thoughts? Namaste (I honor the light in you)

Not now, I'm Buddhist...previous religious experience....

Should have phrased the question more in past tense....duh...sorry

Answer 1

I wonder why suffering is necessary at all.

Answer 2

Suffering not a natural state? What kind of state is it, did we just conjure that suffering idea up from nothing? If a large boulder falls on your foot, would you not suffer from it? I wonder why so many people think that god is all goodness and no evil. If you feel that god is omnipresent then you must see the flaw in thinking that god is all goodness and light. If evil is present, god is taking that form. If you suffer, god suffers as well. I see god as having the ultimate sense of humor.

Answer 3

Well Friend, I'm afraid that I have to agree with the old Hindu addage that goes: "Our only guarnatee in this life is that we will suffer." The Christian Bible says that it "rains on the just as well as the unjust." Some have to suffer even to the extent of martyrdom for their beliefs. I have great respect for those who went to their deaths because someone decided their beliefs were worthy of punishment. What the muslim extremists are doing is not martyrdom, but rather murder/suicide. Because no one is forcing them to suffer or die for their religious beliefs.

But in answer to your question, I do not believe God takes any pleasure at all in seeing His People suffer. In fact Jesus came to heal. But, we all live under natural law. If you jump off a cliff and say God will save me, well, you're probably just gonna go splat. God has been known to step in and intervene in some instances. But the reasons were His, and we may never know why He shows mercy at times and not at others. Just keep the Faith. Things will be alright.

Answer 4

good question. I certainly used to think of approximately this plenty. So why did He create the possibility of evil if He created each thing? Why could no longer He have handed over enamel decay etc? undeniable and straightforward, I have no theory why enamel decay is needed. in all probability because of the fact our bodies are slowly death. Why are our bodies slowly death? yet another large question. Why did God make issues as they are if He could have created a international the place evil isn't in existence? i think of the perfect clarification i've got ever gained is this: "Does darkness exist? No. that's merely the absence of sunshine. Does coldness exist? No. that's merely the absence of warmth. Does evil exist? No. that's merely the absence of love." jointly as we could seem at those issues scientifically, i'm useful some arguments could desire to be stated. yet in certainty, God created love. devil chosen to no longer have love. devoid of love, there is evil. It has no longer something to do with horns or hearth. it rather is merely what's devoid of the existence of love. i wish this facilitates. :)

Answer 5

one guru she doesn't claim to be a guru said, ignore both happyness and suffering and focus on god.suffering is usually caused by[fear] and resistance. she said you can [never get away from pain--and the spiritual person ,may experience --more pain--than the non spiritual person. but if you see the deeper meaning behind pain , and that it is a natural part of life, then you become more accepting of suffering.

Answer 6

Going thru trials and suffering teaches us things. How can we really appreciate all that is good in life without a little suffering or bad times

Answer 7

Suffering is put into correct context in the Christian faith:

That is we live in a rebelious sin soaked world. God did not create it this way, but it became this way because of our rebellion.

But good news! There is an end to suffering for those who believe.

Answer 8

I don't know about Buddhis, but Christian views on this seem to attribute it to the necessity of submitting to "God's intent" to test our submissiveness to "His trials". God does put man to the test, but apparently, He's not the one who sends us the suffering, but Satan.

It is Satan who enters into some kind of a bet with God, who allows it; Satan, to defy God's good faith in our love and loyalty for Him to take any suffering for His sake, and God, to let Satan see, that those who are in the flesh can sometimes endure hell on earth out of their love and loyalty for Him, when he (Satan), who was a prince of the heavens, wouldn't be sattisfied with that most exalted heavenly stature, and went all the way to rebel against Him.

It is more like the eternal war between good and evil manifesting in all aspects of life, not least so in the bodies and lives of us humans, and should we decide to accept it for the love of God, then good would prevail; on the other hand, evil will have its triumph should we choose not to. This is the most reasonable way to put it, if you ask me.

Answer 9

Yes, and a few seconds later...I realize how much suffering has done for me. It has taught me about consequences, patience, and faith. It's taught me how to sympathize with the suffering of others so I understand compassion. Suffering brings out who we really are.

Answer 10

I questioned it per the Buddha's teachings and I agree that any suffering I perceive is due to my past bad acts resulting in the karma I experience now... so all I can do now is meet my suffering with patience and understanding, and believe me, I must've been a real ROT in a past life.

((((((((hugs))))))))))) to you and here's to hoping you find the end to suffering and it's causes.

_()_

Answer 11

I used to question, but no more. I have found the correct spiritual ground for me, once I accepted not to "serve" any God(s), relief was abundant! The Goddess and God are not to be served, but rather stood beside. (Nature)