Is there meaning in evil and suffering?

Question

Is there any meaning to the evil we experience and any suffering that we have to endure? There must be a reason for all this. Probably to better ourselves as far as suffering is concerned. Evil helps us to realize there are better things in life that outweighs evil.

Answer 1

Yes, there is meaning in evil and suffering --- but only when you attach significance to it. The concept of evil presupposes a moral standard one adheres to; if no moral standards are adhered to, there are no "evils" --- the entire issue becomes RELATIVE. There is, of course, a whole school of thought that adheres to moral relativism as oppose to moral certitude; and even in-between these two can be found adherents of amoralism, i.e. a state of non-subscription to any moral standard. If you take the life of man as the basis for the concept of "good," then everything else contrary to the furtherance of man's life can then be defined as "evil." Same could be said with the concept of "suffering."

Answer 2

Yes !! suffering is the port hole to spiritual liberation , in suffering you will learn how to love your others , in suffering you will find peace , in suffering will find your true self and your strength .
The so called evil is a metaphor for the unknown , the forces that may be the reason for the suffering , consequently is part of the package .

Answer 3

You can choose to suffer and be puzzled by trying to analyze the infinite with a finite and unreliable brain, or turn poison to medicine.

People who have a need to be controlled will tell you to ask God for guidance. People who feel that life is up to them to make of what they can, will look around for a method to optimize their stress responses.

I use the teaching propagated by sgi-usa.org. Some of the terminology is unfortunate because the desire to transfer responsibility is so strong that people project control wishes even where they do not agree with the originator of some liberating concepts. Beyond that, it seems the best game in town and there is no membership fee.

Answer 4

I think there is meaning to suffering and evil if we consult the doctrine of Duality. According to this belief, evil emanated from good and suffering emanated from pleasure, vice-versa. So from this premise we can infer that evil gives meaning to good and suffering sublimates pleasure. The only thing that is troubling me is why we find pleasure less pleasurable as we experience it from time to time, and pain much painful, if there is indeed co-relation between the two.

Answer 5

The meaning is not to be found in evil and suffering in themselves. Rather meaning is found on how we respond to evil and suffering. If we respond to hatred with love, if we care for the suffering, and if we stand against evil, then there is great significance to this.

Your response to everything in life is meaningful. You nurture your soul by seeking truth, practicing love and relishing everything in the world that is beautiful.

Answer 6

Yes, when defining the human Will as positive and human Judgment as negative, then it is possible to see that the Will must rise above the Judgment for its defense against evil. But, for the Will to rise above the Judgment, the Judgment must turn to judge its self, correct identification for its self and the Will thereby finds its place and the Judgment is content to serve and protect the Will.

Answer 7

Yes there is a reason for suffering, its a lesson that you go through if you done wrong and it is just a part of life you have to go through, everyone does.

Answer 8

Evil is pointless. Suffering is good for us and strengthens us so we notice the good more often. Evil always brings us down, and does nothing else. It is pointLESS

Answer 9

Suffering and evil are facts of life.
We give meaning to our lives by the way we react to them and ,by what we choose to do about them.

Answer 10

Without experiencing evil and suffering, we can't truly appreciate anything good or truly be happy.