2007-05-15 10:29:05 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a Christian I wonder the same thing sometimes, but the Bible states that we're the ones that have created this mess. God gave us the ability to choose to follow him or not. Our ancestors Adam and Eve chose to try to make themselves God the same way we all do. In so making that choice we have created suffering for ourselves and others by alienating ourselves from God. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to suffer on our behalf out of love and mercy. Eventually he will put an end to pain and suffering. For more on this topic I would suggest you read "The Problem with Pain" by C.S. Lewis.
2007-05-15 10:49:08 · answer #1 · answered by William R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God doesn't cause the suffering humans do. Man was given free will. The ones that cause the suffering are the ones that have to pay for it. If you're talking about famine. Well, early civilizations could have moved to where there was food. Use New Orleans for example all those people were warned they decided to stay. That was there choice "free will". Then they turn around and blame the government just like you are blaming God. If you use your brain and your free will for good there would be no suffering
2007-05-15 17:36:25 · answer #2 · answered by DANIEL M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God's creation was perfect. He looked and saw that it was good. When sin came into the world, it wasn't just mankind that fell but the whole of Creation became tainted and less than God had created it to be. The more sin, the more tainted it becomes and every created being is vulnerable to the effects of this. God does not want the suffering and He most certainly doesn't cause it. As long as sin exists so will the suffering. God sent His Son to give us the way out of this mess and we just crucify Him over and over again. Do you get it yet?
2007-05-15 17:38:35 · answer #3 · answered by lix 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, dear, from the link below:
Freedom of Choice or Freedom from Suffering?
If we are clearly to understand why God allows suffering, we must squarely face another important question. How can we have true freedom of choice and still gain freedom from suffering? We desperately want both. But are both possible at the same time?
If there is any single ideal that is practically worshiped in the West, it is freedom. Freedom is the bedrock of our social system. Many would be willing to defend freedom and self-determination with their lives.
God Himself has given people freedom of choice. In fact, such is part of God's great design. He does not force us down a particular path, but He allows us to choose the way we will go. On the subject of choice, God told ancient Israel, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life . . ." (Deuteronomy 30:19).
There's more if you go to the link.
Basically, hon, Man has the power to choose between good and evil, and since there is evil, and the freedom to choose it, there is a constant struggle.
2007-05-15 18:01:42 · answer #4 · answered by Puresnow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The suffering of the world is the direct result of sin. This is proof that freewill does exist and everyone has the right to choose good or evil. However, Gods love which was sent to us in the person of Jesus Christ is the remedy should we choose to partake. The suffering will one day pass away along with the world as we know it.
2007-05-15 17:43:28 · answer #5 · answered by Jimbo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are two types of suffering to explain.
Moral Suffering: this is caused by us having free will and choosing to hurt each other consciously and subconsciously. This can explained world poverty, because we in the west and our capitalist economy stops wealth from reaching the poor and stretches the rich-poor divide ever wider!
Natural Suffering (e.g. earthquakes): The philsophper Joh Hick would argue that we need to live in an imperfect world in order to be able to have the ability to nurture virtues such as courage and compassion. If we lived in a world with no suffering there would be no consequences for our actions and no ways to develop as individuals.
2007-05-15 17:34:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is so much confusion about this issue. Here is the answer. God gave us all our own free will, because He wants us to love Him by choice not by force. Now since we have this free will, some choose to love God and Jesus and follow His way. However, other choose to beleive the deceit of Satan and follow their own selfish desires. That is when power struggles and war brake out. That is when people rape, kill, steal and destroy. The Bible says the Satan comes not but to steal, kill and destroy. God is love. So if we choose to love God then everything would be ok. Sadly though, that won't happen until Jesus comes back. Until then I would encourage you to ask Jesus into your life and to be your friend and Lord. Choose His way and your life will be ok.
2007-05-15 17:35:32 · answer #7 · answered by AK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God's love is the "Free Will" to love him.
The suffering comes from our own stuborn mentality of selfishness. Adam & Eve choose the "Fruit of knowledge" over the "Fruit of eternity" and comfort. Ah, Jesus is the Man who God (the Father) sent to bring us back to Him so that we may bring back our knowledge that we've converted into wisdom and THEN share eternal life with Him.
2007-05-15 17:36:12 · answer #8 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The suffering is caused by people, not God. God chose to allow us to have free will, and people do with it what they please. Sometimes it is for good and a lot of times it is not. People are often greedy, selfish and crude. How exactly is this God's fault?
2007-05-15 17:33:36 · answer #9 · answered by Beverly B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I get it.
God is love...we are not. We sinned...hence suffering. Return to God and find the love.
2007-05-15 17:35:16 · answer #10 · answered by Misty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋