Why does God allow innocent people to suffer?

Answer 1

        Here's a parable to illustrate...

There was a plantation owner in the deep south whom often criticized his black servant for the belief in God which his servant professed. He would say, "How can you believe there is a Loving God when you are an uneducated slave and have nothing? Look at me, I don't believe there is a God and I am a rich and educated plantation owner in need of nothing."

The black servant could not think of a good answer to his master's question.

One day, the plantation owner took his shotgun, his servant, and his dog out in a row boat on a nearby lake to do some duck hunting. Shortly, a flock of ducks flew over and the plantation owner fired up into the flock and two ducks fell to the water. The dog immediately jumped into the water and began swimming after the one duck which was still moving and paddling away as fast as it could.

The black slave watched for a moment and then turned to his master. "Massa, why dat dog be troublin' dat duck as be movin' away, when d'other duck as not be movin' be easier t' git?"

The plantation owner replied, "That is easy. The dog is smart. It knows the duck which isn't moving is dead already and he can get that duck anytime he wants. But, the duck which is moving away might get away if he doesn't go after it now."

The black slave countered, "Yes, massa, dat devil be smart, too, an' he be troublin' me 'cause he know I be gittin' away; but you be dead in d' spirit already an' he can git you anytime he want."

Answer 2

Innocent people are suffering as a result of the sin of others - for example, greed, materialism, power and control. The list can go on.....I'm sure God has a special place in Heaven for those who suffer this kind of suffering - without justice; without mercy. The Beatitudes will explain how these blessed and poor souls will be compensated or rewarded by God. Jesus was crucified and was innocent.....He said following Him would be the same! Take up your cross.....

I was wondering if we as humans are too insensitive at times in our rationalizing of certain circumstances we are faced with. There are many people for hundreds of years who have suffered in the Church for example from the scandals, abuses, injustices and brushing serious issues under the carpets. We at times, compare these incidents to other denominations, eras, numbers and percentages when the hard cold reality and fact is that we are living in THIS church, in these times, in this situation and to the people these things happened to, it is a very painful reality that may have affected their whole being. Healing does not always take place immediately, or in some cases ever, even when there is forgiveness - the damage can be permanent. The last generation and previous has been raised in the Church to be closed-mouthed on the more serious matters of abuse for example, while this present generation is quite verbal and open about their experiences - good and bad. Just because we can say today we have a good priest and everything is fine, does not mean that someone else could have had the same thing in the past or today, and then suddenly hit a brick wall and are devasted by the incident. One or one thousand is not the concern here. The concern is that it did happen; it caused injury and we must find ways to stop it both when it is true and when it is a false accusation. Even though God permits, He does not expect us to ignore, sweep under the carpet and brush people aside who have had to live through these circumstances.

Answer 3

God always has a bigger plan. The problem is that no one knows of the plan. Take me for instance.

I grew up poor in family with an English name in Quebec Canada. I learned English as my first language. At the age of ten I moved to the United States, where I got a better education, got to meet my life long friends, graduate with an actual accredited high school diploma and now attend a State University where I can study cellular and molecular biology and work on the cure for cancer.

If I had never moved to the States, I would have never had had the good education I got here, nor been able to afford it. If I hadn't meet my friends, I would probably have become an utter social recluse. If I never went to high school I would have never have learned of my gift for biology and had I not gotten my diploma, I would never have been able to get into the university I am now.

I could never have predicted this future when I was 10 years old. Perhaps it is a similar situation for someone else. The innocent may be suffering now but in the future they may face a much better life than they knew before they were suffering.

Answer 4

Well the theoretical reason based on most Judeo-Christian-Muslim thought is that G_d allows all things - even things counter to G_d, on account of the importance of "Free Will" towards (apparently) all creatures. This theme plays out in the mental landscape of the ideas of good vs. evil , etc.

Hindus and such believe the universe is ordered through the concept of Karma, the idea of reincarnation through good acts or suffering you will be reincarnated (reborn) to the Earth in a lower or higher karmic level depending on how well you adhered to the ideals or unduly suffering in your last incarnation.

If you were an AWESOME sea slug killed tragically while you were sleeping near a fisherman's boat - you might get re-incarnated as a cat or something higher up the food chain.

This explains suffering as one's lot in life.

However, while this explains what you asked that may not explain why you are asking.

Generally speaking suffering is part of the human experience, we can try - through our various faiths try to find meaning for WHY, but in the end that is not what is important, what IS important is trying to deal appropriately with that suffering , taking a proactive or proper reactive approach - no matter how hard that might seem at the time.

Answer 5

Jesus, the Son of God. was sinless and did no wrong but still He suffered. He was whipped, spit upon, ridiculed, thrones smashed onto His head, hit, and ultimately crucified. If Gods own Son endured suffering, we can't expect to fully escape it. Romans 8:28-"We know that in all things God works for our the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." If innocent people didn't suffer this earth would kind of be like "Heaven on earth" but as you know...it isn't. Remember too, there are evil forces (Satan etc.) in the world causing people to suffer. Who can say who is innocent and who is guilty? EVERYBODY sins, so how many sins makes a person innocent and how many make a person guilty? Does just one sin separate the two? Should God use a scale or grade on the curve? No. One sin is one too many. Since everybody sins, everybody needs to be forgiven. This life will have its ups and downs. All too often people take personal credit for the good things they have in life but blame God for the bad. All too often we neglect giving praise and thanks to God for the good things we have. This life will only last so many years. Heaven will last forever. The repentant, forgiven, saved person will live forever in Heaven where there will be good and good only. This life tests us. The life to come gives us our grade. We can get an "A" be believing in God. The best is yet to come.

Answer 6

Sometimes Its Judgement, and sometimes its because of the rulers that rule over them.

for example Africa is in such bad shape because their always at war with one another. and the country spends all its money rebuilding and defending. same with many countrys.
the reeason why all these disasters are happening is because the ozone layer and polar regions are meltiong this is caused by pollution and stuff from which we humans created. If anyone is to blame it is us.


things that other people do will affect other people, this is not God doing it.

and the reason God allows it, is because weather free will be used for goods or evil a promise he makes must be kept. and God promised that he will not interfere with the free will of man it says that in genesis no matter how wikid they get that is what he said also. he said that after the flood.

Answer 7

Two years ago I was in a very dark place in my life. I was a cutter and I was depressed. I had fallen into this dark abyss and could not get out on my own.

God did not make my life easier, but he was there when I prayed for him to help. I was the hand that lifted me out. Ever heard the old saying "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger," well I'm still here.

People are not innocent by any means. We are sinners. The fact is God vowed never to interfere with our lives. He is there to help us and loves us, but He will not interfere.

Answer 8

honey GOD does not allow innocent people to suffer. when GOD created our earth and Adam an eve they had free will to chose right from wrong.when the one thing GOD asked Adam an eve not to do they disobeyed. there by causing the perfect break in the bond between man and GOD.this sin caused the break down of life in the whole universe.this break down caused death. but man still had the choice and still does. our suffering there for comes from choices we make which in turn trickles down to innocents.

Answer 9

God is a God of love.Therefore, He will not allow anyone to suffer. God is also a God of justice, He will not permit anyone to suffer without reason.

In our times today, we see many innocent people suffering, but remember, it is not God's will.

Answer 10

I know! We're all wicked, bad people so we deserve what we get. Thank GOD for free will!
Ugh! These people are sick! If God is all-powerful and all-knowing, why did he put that tree of knowledge of good and evil in there in the first place? After all, knowing the future would mean he knew what the serpent would do, knew what Eve (who, BTW, until after she ate the fruit wouldn' have known it was a 'bad' thing to disobey God) would do and knew 'we' would disappoint him time and time again.
I say he allows suffering b/c he doesn't exist.