Suffering: Five Views

By Edgar on Aug 17, 2006 | 1966 views

The following summary is intended as a comparative study on suffering.

For the Intellectual Defense on Evil & Suffering Read: The Problem Of Pain. For the Experiential Overview on Suffering Read: A Grief Observed

Atheism	Suffering is part of the human condition. We may learn life lessons from our suffering, but those lessons serve no grand purpose since there is no God. Our function as human beings is simply to avoid suffering and seek pleasure.
Buddhism	Suffering is an illusion. Once one detaches oneself from pain and suffering, the pain will stop, and one will be welcomed to the Supreme Oneness of the Universe (Little).
Hinduism	The Law of Karma rules suffering and its essence has no compassion. What happens to us in this life is the result of the actions of a previous life. A baby that burns to death could be said to have lived an evil previous life. It would follow that "any attempt to alleviate such pain and misery would be an interference with the just ways of God” (Little). Hinduism also holds that the world is an illusion - the concept of Maya. Brahma, the creator god, is the only reality.
Islam	Allah is in total control of suffering. “Say: "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector": and on Allah let the Believers put their trust.” (Surah 9:51) (Geisler). In Other words, If Allah wants a baby to burn to death, a Muslim should accept Allah’s will. Muslims don’t know Allah personally, so they can’t question his will. Allah is the baby’s protector, and he is to be trusted. How are we to question the all mighty God and his perfect plan?
Christianity	Suffering enters our lives through Evil. However, God is not the cause of Evil. Evil is actualized by our free will when we choose against God. Suffering results from our choices. The Bible lists many causes for suffering. Three are listed below. 1. God's love for us. In our free will, we choose to forget God. Through suffering, he calls us back. As long as all is well, we don't seek him. (1 Corinthians 11:28-32) 2. God sanctifies Christians through suffering. (2 Corinthians 1) 3. Natural disasters cause suffering. Natural disasters are based on the laws of nature which are a necessity for our free will (Romans 8:19-23). Read more: The Problem Of Pain

References:

1. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

2. - Geisler, Norman L. Answering Islam: the crescent in light of the cross/ Norman L. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb. pp (142, & 197).

3. - Little, Paul E. Know Why You Believe. pp (136,152-158).

4. - Luke 13

5. - The Problem Of Evil In World Religions. comparativereligion.com

6. - The Role of Suffering in Sanctification . xenos.org

7. - World Religions. 4truth.net

4 comments

Comment from: Johnny O [Visitor]

I'd just like to answer the atheist one.

Suffering is part of the human condition.

Agreed, it's a pretty crude, but very accurate saying, "Sh!t Happens"

We may learn life lessons from our suffering, but those lessons serve no grand purpose since there is no God.

Half right. The 'Grand Purpose', is to try and not let them happen again.

Our function as human beings is simply to avoid suffering and seek pleasure.

I can see what you're trying to say, but it's not quite as simplistic and nihilistic as you say. As we don't think we're getting an afterlife, or expect an upcoming 'End of Days', a lot of atheists tend to think beyond their own lifespans.

My general outlook on the purpose of my life, is to do my best to leave things better for my children, than they were for me. Not that things were bad for me, but I have worries about the kind of world my children and their children will be living in when I'm gone.

It could just be interperated as parenting, but it is my highest cause.

I despise the whole, you have to suffer to be close to God nonsense that people like Mother Theresa espouse. If YOU want to suffer, you crack on, but don't make others suffer for YOUR beliefs.

05/27/08 @ 06:26

Comment from: Edgar [Member]