The problems of evil and suffering

The problems of evil and suffering

1. The problem of suffering

   • It is a problem for theists because they believe God to be benevolent, omniscient and omnipotent
     • Key words
       • Benevolent - all-loving
       • Omniscient - all-knowing
       • Omnipotent - all-powerful
   • Questions for believers
     • If he is all-loving, why does God let people suffer?
     • Knowledge has responsibility, why doesn't he stop suffering?
     • Why does God let innocent people suffer (e.g. children)
     • If God is all-powerful, why doesn't he stop suffering?

2. Reasons for suffering

   • Man-made suffering
     • Suffering caused as a result of peoples actions
     • Theft
     • Rape
     • Murder
     • People have free will they choose how to act
   • Natural suffering
     • Suffering caused by natural events
     • Earthquakes
     • Floods
     • Volcanoes
     • Why did God create a planet with natural disasters?

3. Does it have a purpose?

   • It makes us appreciate the things that we have
   • It can make you a better, stronger person
   • It is a test of faith
   • It could be punishment for sin
   • Could be part of God's plan
   • Pain tells you that something is wrong so that you can solve it

4. Evil

   • Are there evil actions or evil people?
   • An evil act is deliberate cruelty done with full knowledge that it is wrong

5. Religious explanations and responses to suffering

   • Buddhism
     • The three poisons (ignorance, greed and hatred) cause suffering
     • Follow the eightfold path to stop suffering
     • Believe in middle way, the balance between wealth and poverty
   • Christanity
     • God gave free will
     • Suffering is punishment for sin
     • Story of Adam and Eve shows the consequences of free will
     • 'Love your neighbour as yourself'
   • Hinduism
     • The result of sinful actions in past lives
     • They practice devotion, self-control, knowledge and understanding
     • Is their duty to help those in need
   • Sikhism
     • Selfish behaviour causes suffering
     • People reap what they sow
     • The langar in the gurdwara serves two meals a day to any vistior
   • Islam
     • Allah gave Adam the world to look after
     • He gave humans free will, it is a test
     • They give a percentage of their earnings to those who suffer
   • Judaism
     • Adam and Eve brought suffering into the world by eating the forbidden fruit
     • Charity is a duty from God

6. Nature of evil

   • Impersonal force
     • Evil is an impersonal force that causes people to do wrong
       • Like a magnet that draws people towards evil
   • Psychological phenominon
     • Evil comes from the human mind
       • It could be affected by their upbringing
   • Personal being
     • The devil or Iblis is seen as someone who tricks people into doing evil

7. Problem of evil

   • Evil is a problem for theists because it causes suffering and leads back to the argument of why God would create a world with suffering and evil
   • God gave people free will
   • If God is all powerful, why can't he stop people from doing evil?

8. Religious explanations and responses to evil

   • Buddhism
     • Caused by people's selfish desires
     • They practice to avoid evil thoughts
     • It forbids; killing, stealing, lying, misusing the senses, and drugs and alchol
   • Christianity
     • Adam and Eve caused evil through disobedience
     • 'Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us'
   • Judaism
     • God created everything, including evil
     • Satan represents people who stray from the path of righteousness and faith
     • Evil can be overcome by obedience to God
   • Hinduism
     • Evil is part of the samsara cycle
     • Rama and Sita tells the story of how good triumphs over evil
     • They meditate to gain control of their bodies and minds
   • Sikhism
     • God created humankind, humans are not evil by nature, just ignorant and self-centred
     • They practice selfless service and put God at the centre of their lives
   • Islam
     • Allah created a perfect world, Iblis ruined this world by tempting Adam and Hawa to disobey Allah
     • They live by the five pillars
     • The Qur'an teaches Muslims to stand up for what is right