Section Three - Evil And Suffering Flashcards
The difference between natural suffering and moral evil
Philosophers of Religion have identified two sources of evil; natural and moral. Natural evil includes natural disasters, disease and all the pain and suffering of sentient beings not caused by humans. Basically this form of evil is outside the control of humans.
Moral evil refers to those acts of cruelty, viciousness and injustice carried out by humans upon fellow humans and other creatures. Humans may steal, murder or lye for their own selfish gain at the expense of others.
Why is evil a problem when it comes to religion?
The problem of evil remains one of the most contentious and unsettling areas in philosophy of religion. Throughout life people will experience pain and suffering. For Religious believers they will have to reconcile this reality with their belief in God and for atheists it may reaffirm their belief that God couldn’t possibly exist when he allows evil and suffering to affect the whole world.
Theories about evil
Why is evil a problem when it comes to God’s existence?
Both theists and atheists have to construct a worldview that enables them to ‘cope’ with various levels of evil and suffering they will encounter throughout life.
Various philosophers have described why they think that evil is such a massive problem to humanity. The first type of problem with evil could be described as a practical problem. St Augustine believed it was a debilitating problem because many people would be ruled by ‘fear’. He defines evil as that ‘which we fear, or the act of fearing itself’. It is also ‘the absence of goodness’. For Augustine evil is a force that corrupts things intended to be good. “Evil is nothing but the corruption of natural measure form or order. What is called an evil nature is a corrupt nature.” Conclusively, People that encounter evil will have to deal with the hurt or loss, the subsequent fear and the wrong done by others.
For theistic religions evil also presents a problem in how they view God. If a theist believes in an all good and loving God who opposes evil and is actively working in our world (omnipotent) then evil should not exist. But as evil does exist it presents a secondary problem that which is a logical problem to theists.
The Greek Philosopher Epicurus (341-270BC) stated, “God either wishes to take away evils, and is unable, or he is able, and is unwilling, or he is neither willing nor able, or he is both willing and able. If he is willing and unable, he is feeble, which is not in accordance with the character of God; if he is able and unwilling, he is envious, which is equally at variance with God; if he is neither willing nor able, he is both envious and feeble, and therefore not God; if he is both willing and able…from what source then are evils? Or why does he not remove them?” The logical problem of evil is that there is an inconsistency between a theists belief in an all loving God and the existence of evil in the universe.
Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor has spoken of the horrors of what happened to children and bodies which led to her ‘faith being consumed’, ‘murdered her God’ and her ‘dreams to dust’. Elie was a Jewish practitioner but the experience of such evil shattered her belief in what God’s nature is like.
For some people the problem of evil is evidence that a good and loving God cannot possibly exist. Darwin questioned why such a God would allow so many animals to suffer. As a biologist he was brought face to face with the daily pain and suffering of animals. The Philosopher David Hume believed that the sheer amount of evil in the world weighs against there being a God who is omnipotent and wholly good. For other religious believers extreme suffering does not shake their faith but actually strengthens it and provides an opportunity for them to demonstrate forgiveness and grace to others. For example many of the Christians affected by the Charleston racial killings in south Carolina in 2015 openly forgave the murderer and talked about their Christian faith.
Theories about evil
The purpose of evil
THE PURPOSE OF EVIL
For theists who believe in the existence of a good and loving God there are a range of reasons that they will cite for why evil is allowed in our world.
One of these reasons is that suffering is a test.
If religious believers have a problem free life it wouldn’t be difficult to place faith in God. However when things are going wrong or you are encountering pain and suffering then it is difficult to believe that God is in control or that you are accepting His will for your life. Therefore it is believed by some theists that evil and suffering present an opportunity for the testing of one’s faith. Christians for example try to emulate the life of Jesus who despite great suffering had to place his life and faith in God the Father throughout his rejection and crucifixion. There are many examples throughout the Bible of men and women being tested in their faith. Abraham was ordered to sacrifice his son Isaac in Genesis 22. He was willing to give up his precious son in order to show that God was first in his life. The story of Job is an excellent example of a Biblical character who endured great suffering but maintained his faith. The Devil is allowed to attack his health, family and livestock leaving him with nothing, but Job maintains his faith in God..The Apostles and early Christian church experienced great persecution for their faith. For example Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus in Acts 4 but despite this arrest continued to preach the Gospel. Peter can be used in an earlier example as he was afraid to stand up for Jesus when Jesus had been arrested and was facing trial in the Sanhedrin. His faith was tested and he denied his lord. Later he endured great suffering for his faith. Often difficult times, wether through moral or natural means, greatly test the faith of a religious believer. James 1:2-3 states “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Of course this theory does not explain how evil came into the world but it does offer a reason as to why a loving God would allow it to happen.
Theories about evil
Suffering can be a punishment for sin
- Suffering can be a punishment for sin
In this argument suffering is seen as a consequence to your own wrong doing. In Eastern religions like Buddhism or Hinduism this would be described as karma. With monotheistic religions like Islam or Christianity God is viewed as a being of justice who would allow suffering to his followers so that they learn from their wrong doing or face the consequences to their sins. For example in the fourth pillar of Islam, Muslims are expected to keep Ramadan for the entire ninth month of the calendar year. If they break this they are expected to follow an extra intense period of fasting for 60 days because they broke fast. This suffering would be as a result of their own disobedience in breaking the original fast. In Christianity Acts 5 presents an example of two Christians who faced the ultimate consequence for lying to the Church. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of land and claimed that they were handing over the entire profits of it to the Church when they were really keeping back money for themselves. As a result of their lies they both dropped dead in front of the Apostle Peter. As this was the beginning of the Church this severe discipline may have been given by God so that Christians realise that He is both a loving and just God.
It is also important to mention that for Christians they believe that if God intentionally allows them to suffer it is not because they are being punished but rather ‘disciplined’. Christians believe it is not possible to be punished for sin because only Jesus can pay for that sin. Rather Christians can endure hard times because they are being disciplined in their character. Hebrews 12 describes God the father as a loving and disciplining father over Christians
Theories about evil
Suffering for a greater cause or purpose
- Suffering for a greater cause or purpose
Many theists will also argue that they suffer at times to bring about the purposes of God. In other words your circumstances may not work out as planned or other things may happen to you but it actually happens so that God’s greater purpose will be achieved. For example in Genesis 37-47 Joseph was sold by his brothers as a slave. There is no doubt he would have experienced much suffering before being established as the Prime Minister of Egypt and actually saving his family from famine. Sometimes hard times have to happen in order for something good to come out of it. Again the example of Jesus can be cited in this argument. He must go through great rejection and suffering through death on a cross but later achieves forgiveness for every believer who turns to Him through this atoning action. The Apostle Paul also taught in Romans 5:3-5 that suffering for a Christian will lead to good because it will develop various qualities in their lives. “suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.”
For atheists this theory will be difficult to accept because it would seem that God is responsible for the evil and suffering and therefore it stems from Him.
Theories about evil
Evil and suffering are allowed to bring about free will
- Evil and suffering are allowed to bring about Free Will
For love to be true it has to be chosen. If God creates beings who are incapable of obedience or disobedience then there would not be genuine love between God and humans. Therefore there has to be wrong and right. There has to be good and bad so that people can live in a world where they can choose. Adam and Eve had the choice to disobey God and they did. Throughout human history much suffering has stemmed from the fact that humans have choice in what they do. Augustine for example believed that free will led to sin entering the world. The Devil, Adam and Eve all made their own decisions to do wrong and therefore a perfect world became marred. Therefore God allowed the possibility of evil to exist but so that true love would win.
Theories about evil
Natural suffering is a consequence of moral sin
- Natural suffering is a consequence of moral sin
There are disastrous things that happen in our world because of things that are outside the control of humans. For example, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and natural disasters that lead to the death of many people and disease and famine for many survivors. For example the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was among the deadliest natural disasters in human history with at least 230,000 people killed or missing in 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Religions like Christianity would teach that natural disasters became possible because everything in creation became affected when God was rejected.
Does the problem of evil challenge gods existence
Examples of people of argue yes
In summary:
‘Does the problem of evil challenge God’s existence?
Examples of people who would argue yes are:
Epicurus argued that either God is incapable of removing the problem, chooses not to remove the problem or simply doesn’t exist. Either way he did not prevent a solution to the problem of evil that would be favourable to a theist argument.
Ellie Wiesel, holocaust survivor stated that suffering shattered her belief in God.
Darwin argued that he couldn’t accept the unnecessary suffering that animals had to endure which had no purpose.
David Hume the philosopher argued that the amount of suffering in the world would seriously question the existence of God.
Fredreich Nietzsche (a German philosopher of the nineteenth century) looked at the world and observed that it was imperfect. Far from being very good it seemed to Nietzsche to be full of flaws. The existence of natural suffering and evil in the world led Nietzsche to conclude that there is no natural order or pattern to the world. Therefore, there is no designer and there is no God.
Other people would argue no because:
Suffering is a consequence to sin, natural suffering is also a consequence to sin, it allows people free will, it tests the faith of the religious believers, and sometimes bad things happen in order for something greater to occur.
Augustine believed in the free will argument and emphasised that suffering is the responsibility of humans who choose to bring evil into the world.
John Hick (British philosopher born in 1922) and Richard Swinbourne (British philosopher born 1934) are two other examples of those who believed in the freewill argument stating that the relationship can only be genuine if there is free will.
There are examples throughout the Bible that suffering can lead to a greater good such as the aforementioned example of Joseph.
The Apostle Paul taught suffering develops numerous virtues in Christians which would support the argument that bad things can happen in order for a greater purpose to occur.
Jesus’ life is an example of great things being accomplished at the expense of great suffering.
Numerous stories around the world circulate over people who forgive despite terrible atrocities. The example already mentioned in these notes are the families of the racist attack in North Carolina. For some religious people suffering does not lead to a rejection of God but rather an opportunity to practise difficult parts of their faith and actually leads them closer to God.
Does the problem of evil challenge gods existence
People of argue no
Other people would argue no because:
Suffering is a consequence to sin, natural suffering is also a consequence to sin, it allows people free will, it tests the faith of the religious believers, and sometimes bad things happen in order for something greater to occur.
Augustine believed in the free will argument and emphasised that suffering is the responsibility of humans who choose to bring evil into the world.
John Hick (British philosopher born in 1922) and Richard Swinbourne (British philosopher born 1934) are two other examples of those who believed in the freewill argument stating that the relationship can only be genuine if there is free will.
There are examples throughout the Bible that suffering can lead to a greater good such as the aforementioned example of Joseph.
The Apostle Paul taught suffering develops numerous virtues in Christians which would support the argument that bad things can happen in order for a greater purpose to occur.
Jesus’ life is an example of great things being accomplished at the expense of great suffering.
Numerous stories around the world circulate over people who forgive despite terrible atrocities. The example already mentioned in these notes are the families of the racist attack in North Carolina. For some religious people suffering does not lead to a rejection of God but rather an opportunity to practise difficult parts of their faith and actually leads them closer to God.
How two different religious traditions explain the existence of evil and suffering.
Christianity
CHRISTIANITY
The book of Genesis explains how evil and suffering came into the world as a result of sin. It is believed by Christians that God created the world perfectly and there was no suffering in existence. Genesis 1:31 “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Humans were made differently to animals and could enjoy attributes that resembled God’s image, such as thinking, speaking and planning. In Genesis 3 we read of the fall of mankind when the serpent spoke to Eve and questioned the boundaries that were set for them in the Garden of Eden. They had been instructed not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve however took the fruit and passed it on to Adam and they became aware of good and evil. They knew they had disobeyed God and sought to hide themselves from Him. Christians believe that at this point in history both moral and natural suffering entered the world. Augustine has labelled their decision as ‘the original sin’ which would plunge the whole human race into a world that would be affected by sin and suffering.
Further points about this story in Genesis:
1.Christians believe that Satan/The Devil took the form of the serpent in the Garden. Simultaneously there was a cosmic rejection of God by Lucifer the angel who became the devil. Other angels were also cast out of Heaven because of their disobedience. Other passages of Scripture would indicate their fall from heaven. Ezekiel 28 ‘you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour’. Isaiah 14:12 “How you are fallen from Heaven”. Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was thrown down”.
- Christians who do not take Genesis 1-3 literally may believe that this description is a more a symbolic way of describing how evil came into existence.
- There are examples in the Bible of the Devil trying to tempt others to similarly disobey God backing up the Christian belief that he is the chief tempter. For example Jesus himself was tempted by the Devil in Matthew ch4. The letter of James in the New Testament clarifies that humans disobey God not simply because the Devil tempts them but through their own sinful desires. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” (James 1:14)
- In the modern world there is much emphasis on working through psychological reasons for why people do bad things. For example factors in the person’s upbringing or past will be analysed to see what led to their development in struggling with doing something wrong or on a much wider scale committing an atrocity. Christians would not dispute these factors as also being influential but would combine such theories with their Biblical understanding
How two different religious traditions explain the existence of evil and suffering.
Hinduism
HINDUISM
In Hinduism, mankind is responsible for the evil that is present in the world. Hindus describe the problem of evil as the ‘problem of injustice’. In Hinduism they do believe in an omnipotent, omniscient and just God but one that did not directly create each atman or soul. It is believed that human souls are eternally existent and as this is the case God cannot be blamed for the wrong that eternal souls choose to do. This means that God cannot be to blame for anything that exists which he didn’t directly create. Hindus therefore believe that evil and suffering are not a challenge to God’s existence. It is believed that humans have the choice to do good or evil and can build up good or bad karma depending on their choices. The things that happen to you are therefore dependant upon how you have lived. Hindus believe in reincarnation so when your human body dies you will be re-born into another body. The circumstances that you will face in this life or in a life to come are dependant upon the karma that you have built up. The balance of a person’s karma will dictate what type of re-birth is had. People are responsible for suffering and not God.
Brahma Sutra 2.1.34 “No partiality and cruelty (can be charged against God) because of (His) taking other factors into consideration.”
Sankara’s commentary explains that God cannot be charged with injustice on account of his taking the factors of virtuous and vicious actions (karma) performed by an individual in previous lives. If an individual experiences pleasure or pain in this life, it is due to virtuous or vicious action (karma) done by that individual in a past life.
