A Treatise on the Moral Conflict Between the All-Loving God and Human Sufferings
by Why the sufferings on earth if God is all-loving after all? Philosophers and other moral thinkers have arrived at varied arguments in attempts to counter and reconcile this apparent moral conflict.
Pertaining to the apparent moral conflict between the dogmatic Christian claim about our personal God as an all-loving God and all incessant sufferings that have been agonizing humanity since time immemorial is a moral question that philosophers and even theologians cannot offer satisfactory responses. The great existentialist, Albert Camus was deeply disturbed by the very same problem and could not reconcile it himself, thus his apparent remoteness from the personal God that we know. Nevertheless, numerous intellectuals in the field of metaphysics and existentialism offer varied arguments, albeit highly controversial. Anyhow, through those attempts at explaining this extremely quizzical conflict, we are no less enlightened; however, a consummate embrace of those is self-evidently subjective and personal.
First, in order to free our disturbed minds as to why the sufferings on earth if God is all-loving after all is to deny that God is omnipresent; in such a scenario, God is believe to be simply not around when a wave of distress struck a fragment of His humanity. Furthermore, refuse to embrace the dogmatic claim that God is all-powerful, and chances are, unbearable pains would naturally creep into the lot mankind for He could not stop everything that imperils the morals and dignity of some of His creation. Arguing that the Supreme Being is not morally perfect is yet another way to reconcile that He is all-loving but unable to free all from sufferings because in some situations He may be simply unconcern to stop all distresses that have been crippling the majesty of the human race.
Moreover, if God does not allow sufferings after all, then we may be walking the earth completely ignorant of the good things in life. And deprive us to realize as to how grand happy it is to extend our compassionate hands to those who suffer. In addition, sufferings in this world can be justified if we think of God allowing such horrible moral blows to our lives because all sufferings lead to the common and greater good of humanity.
Finally, some deep thinkers claim that suffering exists because of human free will that God had given us as one of the prime good things in life, and it’s only our abuse and misuse of this divine gift that brought forth famines, wars, distressing catastrophes, and so on, making us suffer the consequences of our follies, not of God’s fault. And perhaps, God simply cannot take away our free will because in so doing will be far worse for Him than allowing us completely free from the grave agonies of this world. God must have some good reasons to do so, only that our being human precludes us from complete comprehension of the better and whole plan of God.
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Post CommentJohn McDonnell
On December 9, 2008 at 8:36 am
Unofre, you tackled a very difficult subject this time. It’s something that has disturbed and puzzled humanity since time immemorial. Why do people have to suffer? Various religions have tried to come up with answers, but it still seems such an injustice that innocent people suffer and die. Anyone who is a strong religious believer will tell you they have the answer, but I truly wonder if even a saint doesn’t sometimes question why God would permit an innocent child to starve to death. We don’t know the answer; all we can do is try to alleviate the suffering.
Nissa Annakindt
On December 9, 2008 at 9:03 am
A very thoughtful article, very well done.
Juancav
On December 9, 2008 at 11:29 am
I ´ll mention Catholic answer,Jesus came to Earth to enjoy power,richness and pleasure?Certainly ,not . Jesus with his suffering on the cross defeated death, and said that was the way, the truth and the life. Now, because the innocent suffer? God punishes? Through the book of the Old testamentp called “JOB” God lets you test Job, lost wealth, children and health, but was not a punishment but a test Job. Without suffering there is no spiritual growth.What’s happening in Africa and in underdeveloped countries? A person can earn $ 1 a day, and in a developed country, many more in 1 hour..Failing in ourselves and not God.
Adam Henry Sears
On December 9, 2008 at 2:01 pm
This is a nice attempt at getting down to the core of the matter. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to say this:
Everyone understands what suffering is, most people want to help, some people understand it’s purpose, a bare few want to actually do something about it, and those who have the influence, power, and ability to change the world do nothing. Pointing the blame at God, when it is humanity’s responsibility, that’s just a waste of energy and pointless. Don’t take that the wrong way: God does care! He is in control. But he gave dominion over the Earth to us. If we as human beings see it as such an atrocity, then our true concern should not be why He allows it to happen, it should be why We allow it to happen. God points people in the right direction, we just have to follow.
Blue Buttefly
On December 9, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I agree with Adam. God has nothing to do with all this sufferings. Job 34:10 “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly”, its all human’s negligence.
neelam pandey
On December 9, 2008 at 4:27 pm
it’s a hear rending topic and the way you have torn the truths of the world apart has really touched my heart…interpretation is really appreciable…and yes, like others i also believe that the almighty is not responsible for this but the human community itself.
neelam pandey
On December 9, 2008 at 4:28 pm
sorry it’s heart not hear in the first sentence.
psychobutterfly
On December 9, 2008 at 4:54 pm
very nice article!
Ruby Hawk
On December 9, 2008 at 10:47 pm
It’s something we will never know. Our little minds are not equal to that task. We can only wonder and seek.
nobert soloria bermosa
On December 10, 2008 at 7:53 am
great article,congrats bro,
eddiego65
On December 10, 2008 at 8:09 am
Very insightful and philosophical article. Great work!
MMV Abad
On December 10, 2008 at 8:37 am
A very touching article. Life is like that… how very sad that there are sufferings in this world. But, then again we are all just passing by. We are not meant for this world.
sunshine1010
On December 10, 2008 at 9:51 am
very nice article…thought provoking..good job
Sabihando
On March 19, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Well Pili, it’s good to see everyone slapping you on the back for a thought-provoking and well-written piece. However, there is one critical flaw in your thesis. You are presupposing the existence of a god, one I assume you infer to be the Western concept of the Abrahamic God, Yahweh of the Jews and Christians, and Allah of the Arabs (same god, different languages) Is a pity too, because you write very well. But this argument of yours would last about two minutes in a 3000 level college philosophy course debate. Nothing personal, just a word to prepare you for the time you make this case without the fan-club supporting you.
gara
On May 25, 2010 at 5:57 am
awww minsan ang tao nagpabingibingihan,nagpabulagbulagan bakit di ba natin kayang ishare sa ibang nagsusuffer kong anong mayroon tau. bakit kailangan sisihin ang dyos tama na pagiging makasarili kong anong mayroon tau di na natin ipublish na tau nakatulong pls share your blessings