Why does the "all-knowing" "all-loving" "all-powerful" God...?

Question

...allow people in third world countries to suffer like they do? Why does he allow people to suffer from long, painful diseases? Why does he allow natural disasters to happen and kill off loads of innocent people?
And if he's not responsible for any of these things, what the hell are Christians worshipping, exactly?

Um, ace of spades? This is yahoo answers uk, so your "only in america" comment had zero effect. Don't be such a smartarse

Answer 1

God allows these things because he's a sick twisted individual who finds amusement in it. And people still claim he's All Loving! He finds that amusing too...

Answer 2

Lola, I don't think that any Christian truly understands suffering. I know I don't, and I get angry at God sometimes, because I don't like the stories of dying kids, child abuse etc any more than you. I believe in Him anyway because I met Him, and it felt like the deepest most out of this world love you can imagine. I wasn't raised a Christian and I wouldn't have considered myself to be a 'seeker' at the time I met Him, I have no other explanation than that He is alive. I can only say that I know Him, and I know that He also hates suffering and has promised to one day come back and put right all the evil that has happened. I comfort myself with the thought that those innocents who die are in a better place where they no longer know any pain or crying, and I'm sure God will explain all, we will know all answers, when we meet Him at the end of our time.
There are some good books that address this mind you, try Philip Yancey's 'where is god when it hurts'

Answer 3

Adam and Eve rebelled against God. The consequences of their sin include suffering. This is all the more reason for Christians to bring the good news, as well as meeting practical needs such as food and medicine, to third world countries. This is a great opportunity!

Answer 4

God isn't a socialist. He started it and said there ya go kids, have fun. People screwed it up. Third world countries don't suffer because of God, they suffer because of the greed and ineptitude of their leaders. Point to any country in the world where the people are starving, suffering from untreated disease and I will bet that the leadership isn't sitting in squalor begging for a handful of rice.

And God is responsible for natural disasters, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and fires. He just likes to mess with us once in a while so we don't get too bored.

Answer 5

Dear

I have witnessed many a people who were sufering from incurable deseases, they were self contented and Praising the Almighty all the time never complained untill they reach Him.

I have also seen people who are wealthy and keeping good health, but always grumbling and complaining Almighty.

After all we came to this worldly life neither with our will nor we shall go back with our will. We are here for a test in our life and to pass the test so as to get eternal blessing where there shall be no more death and no more suffering.

All of us at one point get a feeling that enough is enough and we shall go back to meet our Lord. We also feel at one point that the people who pass away are Blessed than us.

So let us bear this burden of life to please our Lord Almighty.All Knowing All Loving and All Powerful, who is the Most Benevelont and Merciful too on His slaves.

Peace be on You.

Answer 6

The question is why do we allow them to starve to death and suffer with diseases that could be cured? God created this planet with enough resources to feed everybody.
If people are dying of hunger we only have ourselves to blame.
God gave us dominion over all his works. We were meant to take care of his creation but instead we are slowly but surely destroying it.
As for innocent people dying in natural disasters, well first of all innocent people don't have to fear death or consider it a punishment. Like Paul said, "....to me, life is Christ and to die is gain."
Secondly the Bible is very clear what the source of all evil is, and it's not God.
Jesus sums it up nicely in John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I don't exactly understand the last part of your question....are you saying that we should only worship God if he is the force behind all death and destruction but not if he isn't? That doesn't make any sense....

Answer 7

I'm sorry I have no solid answer for any of those questions. And I am a christian. I don't blow them off with platitudes or vague texts. I am always asking why about these same questions. I truly don't understand. Christ was described as a man of sorrows so maybe He was troubled by similar questions.Another text says in much knowledge there is no lack of sorrow. I don't want to come off as an uncaring ,brainwashed, chest beating christian so I'll humbly leave you with one other text. It was God's answer to an old testament prophet who asked similar questions. He said My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts. This doesn't seem to help much unless you remember to enter into heaven or to approach God you must have the trust and belief of a child . I don't mean this to be a definitive answer. It helps me to deal with things like you've asked. T4

Answer 8

I could ask you the same, why do YOU allow suffer like you do, what have you done to help ease the pain. As to your natural disasters? when was the last natural disaster in Isrieal? Do these not normaly occure in places where people either have other "gods" or have turned their back and rejected him? Including the US. as to suffering from long painful disease? have you considered, how many of these long painful experiances, would have ended much faster and in many cases never occured if man had lived differently?> think about it, lung cancer from smoking, cancer form all the crap we eat, sure there are some that would still be there, but most would not.

Answer 9

A person once offered an opinion that both startled and answered me concerning that very same question:

Perhaps events like these are MEANT to challenge faith. In so challenging, presenting another opportunity to strengthen and grow in the spirit.

It sure makes a lot of sense to me. In the absence of faith, I'm certain that it creates more confusion.

In the absence of faith, there is a strong tendency to value the physical life above the spiritual. Understand that the physical life is but a very, very brief moment compared to the time of the eternal soul.

Answer 10

Because it cause men to fall on there face and cry for the mercy of God. He is loving but the bible also says he is Holy, Holy, Holy He shows men that this earth is frail. He offers a way out for all men that will seek him with all there heart. why dont you seek him and go tell those people about Christ. Paul was whipped 39 times twice , ship wrecked, stoned and left for dead, but he got up and still preached. Why does God let that happen? Paul was forged into one of the greatest men of God to live. Sin is the reason. MAn hate and reject God. This world will be destroyed but those that walk with God this place is not there home. They are passing through. Thank God whether it is hell around us that I have a mansion over the hill top!

Answer 11

Because we all have free will and have to learn through our experiences and if that includes suffering so be it. Diseases are man made and the earth is being destroyed by man so that natural disasters occur. God can't intervene in everything - common sense should tell you that.