I
think the "problem of evil" is bigger than just the bad
produced by the free will of humans. What about all the horror and
suffering in the animal realm?
I
remember a few years ago, my entire way of thinking as to why God
allows suffering—took a complete 360 degree turn.
What
happened
is that I was given a baby kitten that was found in the street and he
was so small that in order to survive, I had to bottle feed him and
care for him till he was able to eat himself. It was hard work
because it wasn’t just once a day. It was every two hours for about
a month if I wanted him to live.
This
cat grew up and believed
I was his father. He followed me everywhere and always wanted me to
pick him up. He slept with me, sat on my lap when I watched tv.
Followed me to the bathroom and waited beside the door until I came
out. As soon as I came home from work or school. he ran to meet me. I went through my teenage years and became an adult with this
cat. I got very close to him.
Then
one day he started getting sick. I took him to the vet and spared no
amount of money. I was willing to pay thousands of dollars to keep
him alive. After spending about one thousand dollars, the vet told me
that there was nothing they could do anymore to help him. I told the
vet “Please, I will pay you anything you want, just keep him alive”
The
vet replied, “I’m sorry, it’s his time, he has lived more than
most cats” He lasted 15 years. I was devastated, I took him home and wrapped him in a
blanket and sat with him all day and all night.
The next day early in
the morning, he let’s out this eerie cry and looked at me and tears
starting coming out of his eyes, then he took his last breath and
stopped breathing. To this day it has been the worse day of my life.What I saw that day Haunts me to this day.
It
was at this point in my life that I started considering the
possibility that even if there was a God, he was not at all
interesting in helping us or the animals.
This
is when I starting noticing that the world was made with prey and
predator. I started doing research on animals and their suffering. What I started finding out, messed me up for a couple of years. I remember reading this statement;
quote;
"The
total amount of suffering per year in the natural world is beyond all
decent contemplation. During the minute that it takes me to compose
this sentence, thousands of animals are being eaten alive, many
others are running for their lives, whimpering with fear, others are
slowly being devoured from within by rasping parasites, thousands of
all kinds are dying of starvation, thirst, and disease.
Then another person made this comment that pounded the last nail on my belief in the God of the Bible----not necessarily The Real Creator.
quote;
God made
animals with pain receptors. Many animals especially the kinds that
we eat the most can feel physical pain exactly the same way as
humans. Many of those animals can and do suffer psychological trauma
just like humans as well.
Yet
God not only condones people killing and eating animals, but God
created animals with the capacity to suffer while already knowing
full well that they would. Then for a long period in history, he
demanded humans to slaughter and sacrifice to him just because he
enjoyed the act of devotion.
This
direct encouragement of the suffering of the innocent is entirely
inconsistent with tri-omni nature.
If
God couldn’t create a food cycle for all creatures that didn’t
include suffering, then he isn’t omnipotent.
If
he didn’t know the system would lead to suffering then he isn’t
omniscient.
Now
if he could of done better, if he could of made a food cycle that
didn’t promote suffering, but chose not to.
Then
he’s not only lacking in omni- benevolence but many would argue he
is a Sadist.
‘Whether animal life and human life was Created this way or it came about by
accident, this was the reality of it all and I had to accept it.
What I do now - Is Go out of my way to be kind to animals. I have tons of cats that come to my house each morning and I feed them every day just like this guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EYZnSXEla0
