Why does God allow pain, suffering, and murder?

Question

Since He is so loving why does He allow people to be so cruel?

Answer 1

That is a question that has been asked for centuries and has perplexed many people.
The Bible assures us that the suffering we see around us is not caused God. The Christian disciple James wrote: “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” (James 1:13)
Although he doesn't cause suffering he does permit it. The Bible explains why. It all started in the Garden of Eden and a challenge that was made. Most people do not grasp the significance of what happened when Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad. Satan the Devil used a serpent to tempt Eve into eating the fruit. He called God a liar (God said they would die if they ate the fruit, Satan said they would not die, but would come to be like God knowing good and bad) So Adam and Eve joined in a rebellion against God, they didn't want God to rule over them and decide what was good and bad. Ultimately they claimed that humans didn't need God. So He stepped back and has let them have the time to "prove" they can do it all on their own. What has history shown? Things continue to go from bad to worse. The good news is God will not allow this to go on forever. His original purpose was for the Earth to be a paradise filled with perfect humans who are living in peace and harmony. He has allowed time for Satan and humans to "prove their point" They have failed. He is going to step in and make things right.

If you would like to learn more go to the following link:
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20030101/article_02.htm

Answer 2

There are really two distinct issues here. The first is why does suffering exist and the other is why are evil people allowed to continue.

We see suffering in the world in many forms. Hunger, pain, disease and ultimately death. The difference is how we view it. Some view it as God's fault. The logical next question is why. However another camp accepts the Bible's explanation. That when Adam sinned suffering and death entered into the world.

We should not be angry at God because suffering exists. We should be thankful to God that He provides a way out of it.

The issue of evil people being allowed to continue is also somewhat difficult to understand. We look out and see people that are good and people that are evil. We don't know why God would allow the evil people to hurt others.

The problem is that God sees things a little differently. We are all evil in His eyes. While we choose to distinguish He does not. To understand this concept a little better look at the test below:

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/goodperson.shtml

~Neeva

Answer 3

Suffering can be, but is not always a penalty for sin. In the same way, prosperity is not always an award for being good. Those who love God are not exempt from trouble. Although we may not be able to understand fully the pain we experience, it can lead us to rediscover God. We must learn to recognize but not fear Satan's attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets. Don't let any experience drive a wedge between you and God. Although you can't control how Satan may attack you, you can always choose how you will respond when it happens. Why does God allow pain and murder? Life is full of difficult questions like this. He has chosen to allow evil in this world for a time. But we can trust God's leading because he has promised to destroy all evil eventually. In the meantime, we know that God will help us use our suffering to strengthen us and glorify him. These are questions we cannot possibly answer in this life because we do not see all that God sees.

Answer 4

Once Adam fell into his spiritual sleep and started thinking like a mortal man we became susceptible to all these things.God created the world and everything was good.Man brought pain and suffering into his existence by acting and thinking like a man instead of a spirit.We disconnected ourselves from God spiritually.Its very similar to when we physically fall asleep.The dreams we have seem very real and can be very terrifying depending on what thoughts we entertained throughout the day.Upon awakening we realize it was not real.No one is punishing us we do it to ourselves.As long as we stay in the spiritual sleep Adam started we will suffer.

Answer 5

Christ suffered, so why shouldn't man suffer?

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Answer 6

jeancommunicates said it right===

you asked about God-so read some of His words--
1john 5:19 says it all: we are living under the power of the wicked one

the ways of the world are allowed for the time being but we have wonderful promises for the future--
see Psalms 37:9-11

Answer 7

He isn't loving - if he even exists, based on a best-case scenario, he's vain (constantly needing praise) and vengeful (threatening to burn anyone who actually exercises the free will they were given).

It would be a sadistic being indeed that would create desires in people and then condemn them for those very desires. Remember, it's not just the act that's a sin, it's even the THOUGHT of the act. Now, that's just not reasonable.

Life's messy. The animal kingdom is barbaric, and microbes will probably decide whether human beings survive or not. The best we can do is be as kind to each other as we can, which none of us needs religion to do.

Answer 8

Satan is the ruler of this world at this moment, but it will not always be. God will eventually wipe away every tear. Pain, suffering and murder come from sin.

Answer 9


What does all this have to do with me?
If it was Adam’s decision to disobey God that brought sin into the world, why do we ALL have to suffer punishment?
If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that Adam is a fair representative for all of us. If a perfect person in a perfect place decided to disobey God’s rules, none of us would have done better. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” We all inherit Adam’s sin nature. We all sin, so we all deserve to die and suffer eternal punishment in hell. We must understand that not one of us is innocent before God. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Not one of us is worthy to stand before the Creator of the universe because we would each bring a sinful, rebellious nature into His presence.
In the beginning God completely sustained His creation without blemish. That’s why it was perfect. He held every atom together in a perfect state. He kept the planets in their orbits. He kept animals from tripping and breaking their necks. He did not allow people to suffer and die.
Deuteronomy 8:4 gives us a little glimpse of how things might have been in the original creation. “Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.” God is omnipotent and perfectly capable of sustaining and protecting his creation.
When Adam sinned, however, the Lord cursed the universe. In essence there was a change and along with that change God seemingly took away a little bit of his sustaining power and allowed things like suffering and death into His creation. Now He permits bad things to happen—and this is a reminder that sin has consequences and that the world needs a Savior. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

God took pleasure in all of His creation ("http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=revelation+4:11&version=NKJV"), but He loved people most of all. He allowed the created universe to deteriorate so we would see the consequences of our sin. If we did not see the consequences of our sin, we would never see that we need salvation from our sin, and we would never accept His offer of mercy for our sin. Most people easily recognize that there is a problem in the world. This can be used to show them that there is one who has overcome this problem of death and suffering—Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

its the whole chioce.. thing...as christians will tell you. funny how he showed up to do all the miracles when we as a population were vastly more uneducated and analytical than we are today.
i dont think he is there. or he would stop these wars. then again.... he would prevent 6 yr old little kids from having cancer and destroying their parents life/hearts along the way... if he cared....and was there... but... believers will tell you... they are in a better place to comfort you.