Philosophy - Problems Of Evil and Suffering Flashcards
Story of Job
Faithful servant who is tested because of Satan’s challenge to God.
•death of his children
•loss of all of his possessions
•boils
Job insists he has done nothing to deserve this ordeal.
God replies by telling him that ‘God is greater than Job can ever understand. Suffering is part of gods plan and beyond human understanding
Job repents and is rewarded with:
• more children
• longer life
• 2x the wealth
What kind of purposes can suffering have? (8)
- Necessary to keep us alive and well(pain tells us here is something wrong)
- Makes us appreciate things we take for granted.
- Improves and strengthens our character during difficult times
- Helps to define happiness.
- suffer to achieve a goal
- test of faith
- punishment for sin
- part of God’s plan
Christian attitudes to suffering
Trusting in God helps then to endure and accept suffering
•they will try to help others (‘love you neighbour as you love yourself’ Matthew 22:39)
• follow the example of Jesus who helped the needy and healed the sick.
Buddhist attitudes to suffering
The way to stop suffering is to stop. craving by following the Eightfold Path.
• need to overcome attachment to material things
• practice generality which shows did attachment from wealth and selflessness.
•Middle Way
Evil as an impersonal force
Impersonal force that draws people into doing wrong, like a magnet pulling people towards bad actions.
Evil as a personal being/devil
Evil is a personal being or devil who causes people to sin. In Christianity, Islam and Judaism, satan is the source of all evil (opposite of god). He tricks people into doing wrong.
Evil as a psychological phenomenon.
Influenced by a persons upbringing and society in general or result of damaged mind. Sometimes suffer from mental illness.
Who is to blame for evil?
- Evil is God’s fault. He gave us free will.
2. Evil is our fault, not Gods. We give into the dark side of our nature through our own choice.
Christian quote about responding o evil
‘Turn the other cheek’ Matthew 5
Christian quote about forgiveness
‘Forgive us our sins, for we must also forgive those who sin against us and lead us not into temptation’ Luke 11
