Evil And Suffering

Question 1

Key Words

Answer 1

Evil - A situation or thing that is very unpleasant, harmful or morally wrong

Moral evil - Pain caused by words and actions of humans

Natural evil - Pain or suffering caused by activities of nature

Question 2

Examples of natural and moral evil

Answer 2

Natural - 2004 boxing day tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, San Francisco Earthquake or meteor that killed dinosaurs

Moral evil - 9/11, 7/7 bombings, 2011 Mumbai attacks, Holocaust

Question 3

Inconsistent triad

                        Evil Exists

G-d is omnibenevolant G-d = omnipotent

Answer 3

-For evil to exist G-d must not be O.B or O.P

• Does G-d love us but is not powerful enough to stop evil
• Is G-d powerful enough but doesn’t love us

Raises Question on whether G-d is worth worshipping at all

Question 4

Does suffering have purpose

Just - Fair or morally
Unjust - Unfair or morally wrong
Theodicy - A defence of G-ds goodness in the face of evil and suffering

Answer 4

Arguments of purpose:

Strongest - Punishment for sin teaches us for the better
-To achieve goals: pain in child birth
- Warns us of illness in body, can save lives
Weakest - Part of G-ds mysterious plan - cannot explain as only G-ds knows why

Question 5

Christian response to evil

Karuna - Acts of compassion towards those who suffer

Answer 5

Responses:

• G-d made everything perfect
• Original sin thru A+ E > Satan tempted to eat from the forbidden tree > realised freedom and became responsible for actions
• When people rebel against good > evil results
• People need rescuing from sin (Salvation)
• Jesus came to earth to restore relationship with G-d

Question 6

Whats Evil

Evil - Opposite of good, Force or personification of negative power, against tradition as destructive towards G-d

Answer 6

Types:

Personal beings- The idea that evil is spirit or desire within us e.g devil inside us

Impersonal evil - Pulled into doing wrong by an outside force

Physiological - Events around us change our minds to commit evil e.g an abusive childhood or joining a gang

Question 7

Nature of evil explained

Answer 7

Impersonal - Draws people into doing evil. Something randomly evil often thought to be impersonal force at work

Personal - Devil causes people to sin - Satan is Judo-Christian source of evil> Enemy to G-d

Psychological - Influence by persons upbringing or society, family, friends or peer pressure

Question 8

Religious Explanation for Evil

Answer 8

Eastern religions:

Buddhism - Caused by selfish desires and cravings - 3 poisons: Greed, Hatred, ignorance. Practise generosity, loving, kindness, right understanding to overcome

Hinduism- Evil part of cycle of samsara, Stories of G-d fighting evil, G-d like no sun - All light/no darkness so G-d not source of evil. Karma means people can make up for evil with a good life

Question 9

Religious Explanations for Evil cont

Judaism: - G-d created all inc evil and satan as all powerful

           - Satan represents anyone who strays from path of faith
           - G-d all-loving so must have created for good purpose - Allows freedom and choice
           - Can chose to reject G-d but if all follow G-ds law then no power in evil

Answer 9

Abrahamic Religions:

Christianity: G-ds creation perfect, Evil came thru A + E so after this can chose right/wrong actions. Jesus sent to help

Islam: Allah created perfect world, jinn had free will, shajtan - source of evil tries to turn ppl, can repent