Suffering and existence of God

by elbib 32 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  elbib

  Many people find it difficult to reconcile suffering and existence of God. It seems they feel that it is God’s obligation to shield humans from ill-effects of their short-sighted acts.

  People’s hobby has something to do with this kind of reasoning! When something good happens, they easily see their hard-work as the cause behind it. When something goes wrong, they seek to blame others, which goes even up to God.

  Yet it is not very difficult to see cause behind suffering here on earth itself without going out into outer-space. In the case of individual, our vision may be limited. Yet in the case of nations, we can see cause behind their suffering. Jews are a sample case. They have been a suffering nation many a time. William Shakespeare knew Jews mainly as money lenders (for example, The Merchant of Venice)—a trade that has the potential to invoke enmity in others. Jesus knew them as those creating trouble even for the innocent. (Mathew 23:37) Their forefathers adopted an exclusive mentality saying they are the chosen people of God and others are pagan, which too made people inimical toward them. Another example is of African nations who are known for their poverty. Even when the affluent restrict the number of children being born to them, the poverty-stricken nation do not seem to show any restraints in this vital aspects—which invite suffering for them.

  If such short-sighted acts of nations can bring suffering for them, the same principle applies to individuals too though cause may not be visible at times.
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  freemindfade

  The universe is indifferent, there is no "God", that's not so difficult to reconcile
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  DesirousOfChange

  Is that like saying that one needs to "work in harmony" with the things they pray for?

  Or, "what a man reaps, he sill also sow"?

  So then, at what point can we expect that God will intervene if he cares for mankind?

  (Serena Williams seems to think it has something to do with the bounce of a tennis ball.)
  

  Many JWs seem to think it is God stepping in when another person shows kindness and assists them in some way (esp financially).

  Political leaders think it's when their side wins a battle or the war.
  

  Doc
  
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  elbib

  DesirousOfChange

  We have no answer to the question “Will God intervene if he cares for mankind?” We can only say it is good if He does.

  But I personally feel that He should not intervene, and this system of things should end in a nuclear holocaust. Why do we need humans on earth who do not care for fellow humans, other species and the environment itself? How long can a person expect to cut a branch and continue to sit on?
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  elbib

  Freemindfade,

  You said: “The universe is indifferent, there is no "God", that's not so difficult to reconcile.”

  Indifferent universe is how we perceive it to be. There are many people who profusely thank God for good things in life and they also fault God and others for pain and agony. Yet a balanced view can see that both aspects emanate from a purposeful plan, but our mind perceives them as positives or negatives due to the subjective power of the minds discrimination. Deeper introspection reveals all that is felt or transpires is neutral in nature and meant to balance the cosmic existence. Water, for example, is key for sustenance of life. Our body is almost 60% water/blood in a cycle of circulation. Fresh air is inhaled and stale air exhaled. Medically, smooth functioning of the digestive system is an endorsement of wellness. Extreme weather conditions, floods or earthquakes, etc, causing torment, are in fact mind-boggling acts of ecological, geological and biological equilibrium. There is a definite purpose to all activities. The so-called good or bad is, thus, interwoven in myriad ways incomprehensible for many.

  Therefore, be it pleasure or pain all events are meant for sustenance of the infinite ladder of life. Whether individuals understand or not, underlying realities matter little in the super-scale of grand hierarchy though personal preferences are determined by our needs and greed. Prayers change nothing, but our own mind doesn't accept whatever is ordained. If God were to speak to or advise each one of us that He means the best for each being in Creation, the mind would have rejected Gods decrees on the premise that God is ignorant of what is good for each entity. This may be the reason why God chose to work in absolute silence.
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  cofty

  Unmitigated bollocks.

  You promised me in a PM that the Brahma Kumaris were finished promoting their bullshit on JWN.

  You lied.

  this system of things should end in a nuclear holocaust

  You are a sick bastard.
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  punkofnice

  God doesn't exist so it doesn't matter
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  jookbeard

  a dislike from me elbib, utter hyperbole and fundamentalist clap trap.
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  Bonsai

  I'm sorry, it may be too difficult for you to comprehend, but the cause of suffering is easy to understand. We are alone in the universe, and the universe is one mean ****. Short-sightedness has nothing to do with earthquakes, tsunamis, evolving viruses and bacterias killing people.

  I find your post to be incredible naive to the difficult plight that people in poor countries face. Some people don't have enough money to put food on the table, never mind contraceptives.
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  Bonsai

  Bold is mine.
  

  Therefore, be it pleasure or pain all events are meant for sustenance of the infinite ladder of life. Tell that to 99% of the living organisms that have been wiped off the face of the earth over the last 600 million years. In case you didn't notice, god sucks at sustaining things. Whether individuals understand or not, underlying realities matter little in the super-scale of grand hierarchy though personal preferences are determined by our needs and greed.The hierarchy of the Universe is decided by arbitrary religionists like you. By the way, who gave us need? Who gave us greed? Prayers change nothing, Glad you can understand that. So, why pray? Why worship? but our own mind doesn't accept whatever is ordained. Nor should it without clear proof of an existing supernatural ordainer. If God were to speak to or advise each one of us that He means the best for each being in Creation, the mind would have rejected Gods decrees on the premise that God is ignorant of what is good for each entity. BS. No one has ever heard the voice of god, but many spend a lifetime trying to hear it. I'm sure some creationists on here would faint with pleasure if god ever directly communicated with them. This may be the reason why God chose to work in absolute silence. Or, shocker, it may be because your god (unclear which one you worship from your vague posts) doesn't exist.