My girlfriend was recently killed in a car accident, and so was her brother...and I'm struggling to find meaning in life. So upon reflection about what people actually are and how we think, etc....I've come to the conclusion we must have a soul with which to love and feel. There has to be something more than neurons and synapses. However, then i have to wonder, why does god let everything in the world happen? Specifically, why does god let the innocent die? Punish the sinners, fine. But what is the reason to kill innocent people? There are larger scale disasters and tragedies, i know. But this loss has got me thinking, and I think religion could help me fill a void in my life, but i can't see how it allows such terrible things to happen?
2007-09-30 05:25:40 · 26 answers · asked by SG22 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion does not "allow" anything to happen. If the world were free from hurt than there would be no trials, no tribulations, nothing to look forward to. If He stepped in at every opportunity this would not be our realm but his realm. All things do happen for a reason though even if that reason can never be recognized by us. The happenings of the world are the happenings of the world. The way that we respond to them is what God is concerned with. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Here is something to think about though. If you ask 100 25-year olds what they think about God you will not find much support and many people will laugh at you. If you however ask 100 75- year olds what they think about God, nearly all of them will pay homage and very few if any will laugh. Do people tend to get more ignorant as we accumulate experience?
2007-09-30 05:34:22 · answer #1 · answered by hujytuijk 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to hear of your recent tragedy.
Please keep in mind that God does not just "let the innocent die." Sometimes I think people forget that we all die in the end, it is only a matter of when. Yes, when a young person dies, it is particularly tragic...but if you do believe that there is a soul and life after death then death is only a brief separation (compared with eternity).
In nature, even animals have different life spans. If one polar bear dies as a cub, and another lives a long life, it does not mean that God loved one creature more than the other, or that one was good/innocent and the other was "bad." The fact is, we live in an imperfect world. And we take calculated risks every time we do something such as get in a car.
I will add though, that something else that has also brought me peace lately, is the number of times I've heard that in things such as tragic accidents, people quickly become unaware of pain...so though we fear death, the actual physical process of dying is probably not as bad as we imagine, when the time comes.
I believe in God, but I do not consider him to be a magician wearing a top hat and waving a wand around making this thing happen and this other thing not happen. I suspect that God cannot control every single thing, despite popular belief. I think most people simply misunderstand the nature of God, and as a result "lose faith." And it is true that with no evil or tragedy, we would not understand what is "good."
A church may help fill some emotional voids -you could learn about certain theories on God at a church, and have an emotional support system. However, I have found most popular churches have serious flaws...you might be better off doing your own research and soul searching.
If you are interested in Christianity, I recently found a great website, called bibletruths.com. It's a low budget site and looks like it might be some "extreme" site at first, but it's actually quite good, with some really amazing articles on religion, great historical information and interesting interpretations of the bible (particularly on things that puzzle some people, such as tithing). If you don't know a lot about the bible, it could be a little overwhelming for you though, but it is a good website. Some of the articles could use some serious editing also, but that's a minor complaint of mine.
I think the best any of us can do is to do good things with our life as much as possible, and learn as much about God and love and what makes a "good life" in whatever amount of time we are given. Nobody knows exactly what happens after death, but I do believe it is a transition, and that we continue to live in some form...
In time I am sure you will find peace....
2007-09-30 06:12:17 · answer #2 · answered by Kristina J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wish I could give you some comfort by saying something profound which would prove religion is real. I read about the faithful Jews during the holocaust, the young Muslim children wearing bombs put their by their families and the massacre of the Native Americans by Christians and I ask if there is a god, why is he waiting, how much worse can it get? My dear brother had a triple bypass operation 10 years ago and he got religious after that. It has helped him cope and he has told me that he is terrified of death, still. He does not understand why I am not as afraid yet I am an agnostic at best. I cannot give you the hope of the afterlife because I do not know. I can hope it may be true and I can weep for your loss which I shall. I am so sorry, but all I can do is empathize.
2007-09-30 06:08:21 · answer #3 · answered by sashali 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
God does not cause good people to die. Rather it is Satan whom Jesus said is the Ruler of this world. (John 14:30; Eph. 2:2) This is because God is allowing time for the question of can man rule himself without God to be settled. God did not raise the question, Satan and Adam & Eve did.
The thing is, one of God's main qualities is Justice. (Deu. 32:4; Romans 9:14) Innocent people like your girlfriend have died comiting no wrong. Justice demands action.
First, know that loved ones are not in pain or worry in death. Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 shows the dead have no memory, no feelings, no thoughts. They are as Jesus commented about Lazarus, asleep.
Also concerning Lazarus and a 12 year old daughter of the presiding officer in the synagogue. both were dead. Jesus had the power to bring them back to life. (John 11:11, 14-44; Mark 5:35-42)
We can have confidence in the prophesy at John 5:28-29, "Do not marvel at this because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." A resurrection, not just of good, but those who by ignorance did unrighteous things as Acts 24:15 explains.
They will be alive on the earth in paradise conditions. Psalms 37:10-11 testifies to this. AND later, death is to be done away with forever. (Rev. 20:13, 14) You have the chance of seeing her again under much better circumstances.
Is this not a much brighter future?
2007-09-30 06:02:10 · answer #4 · answered by grnlow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry for your loss. Our faith really gets tested in these times, so I will pray for you too. I know it is hard.
I cannot say much to comfort you; only GOD can do that really.
I would just say for me at least - I understand that GOD did create a world where innocent people do not die; where bad things do not happen to good people; a world of no tears, no pain and no suffering. A world where everything will be made right again.
It's called HEAVEN, my brother; and I sure do hope I see you there!
2007-09-30 05:32:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too lost a husband tragically and also 2 daughter-in-laws to cancer. I struggled with the same questions that you have when I saw "sinners" walking around well and alive. However, had it not been for my church family and God, I truly believe I would not have made it. My son did not have God and he could not handle it so he turned to drugs. I now have his two babies to raise. The Bible says that the devil kills, steals and destroys and God gives life. All I can tell you is get in a good Bible based church and in time God will give you peace over your loss. The Bible also says that God will return to you what the devil has stolen. You may never understand why but you will be able to see the reason. My prayer is for you to seek and find the peace that you deserve through Jesus Christ.
2007-09-30 05:37:38 · answer #6 · answered by Sharon H 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people. No one ever said life was fair, but that doesn't lessen God's role in our lives. I'd encourage you to take a larger view on this. I understand you're hurting, and that's natural.
One of the reason's people turn to God is to find peace and understanding during times of pain and trial. God's view is not man's view.
And although God loves us and feels our pains and losses, He cannot wrap us in wool and protect us from harm. Just like parents here have to learn to let go and let things happen to their children, God does as well. Your girlfriend and her brother are now in Paradise, the same place Jesus Christ went after He was crucified. They are now enfolded in the love of God -- mourn their loss from your life -- but not as an end to their lives. That is the wonder and miracle of the Resurrection -- we will be reunited with our bodies. We will live again.
I know that words on paper [or a computer screen] are a poor substitute for your loss, but it's the best I can do.
You are faced with a challenge now not to become embittered and lose faith. My heart goes out to you and I hope that you will find the answers you're looking for and the balm for your aching heart.
2007-09-30 05:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by strplng warrior mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am truly sorry for your loss, I hope you feel better soon. I believe that all things happen for a reason...a reason that we will find out sooner or later. I may not have the same beliefs as you but I feel that God tests me to see how much I can take in, how patient I am and how faithful I am to Him. I won't go on and on, I'm sure you get the drift. Good luck and all the best in life.
2007-09-30 05:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my religion, paganism, death is a part of the circle of life, not a punishment or reward from an god. I believe that we all have a spirit that survises the death of the physical body. Your girlfriend and her brother will have lived lives before this one, and will live lives after this one too. Perhaps they had learned what it was that they came here to learn this time, and will now spend some time reflecting on those lessons before being reincarnated into other bodies, to live other lives and learn other lessons.
I am sorry for yor loss.
2007-09-30 05:38:37 · answer #9 · answered by Diane 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i'm very sorry to hear about your loss, and i hope that you find comfort.
you do not need to believe in god to believe that we have a soul. pagans, buddhists, and even some atheists believe that we have souls. (i'm sure there are others that i didn't mention.)
there are a lot of other religions besides christianity out there. maybe you just need to find the one that makes sense and feels like home to you.
i don't know if this will help, but i believe in reincarnation. i think that you and your girlfriend will see each other again in another life.
bright blessings to you
2007-09-30 05:58:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋