The Problem Of Evil and Suffering Flashcards
What do Buddhists teach about suffering?
That suffering is a fact of life. Losing people, sickness, growing old, selfishness, unkindness are all inevitable in life.
Dukkha is suffering in Buddhism.
What are the types of suffering?
Natural- disease, famine, drought, earthquakes, tsunamis
Moral (or human)- caused by people’s selfish behaviour or deliberate intent to harm others-e.g theft, violent attacks, gossip.
What do buddhists think the stem of suffering is?
They think it is caused by selfishness, greed and desire and because we become attached to things. Which is why often buddhists are very unmaterialistic.
Why is suffering for religious people hard to understand and explain?
Because God created the world, and he is supposed to be omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent, so it’s hard to know why he allows suffering on earth.
what does omnipotent mean?
All-powerful
What does omniscient mean?
All-knowing
What does benevolent mean?
kind and loving
What is sometimes a result of the problem of evil and suffering in religion?
Some people cannot comprehend why God allows such disaster on the Earth, so end up disbelieving in him by coming to the conclusion that he doesn’t exist.
Religious people have different ideas about what evil is. Give some examples
A personal being - such as the devil (or satan) that tempts people to do bad things.
An impersonal force- such as when an alcoholic is drawn towards drinking.
What is another argument/ explanation of what evil is? other than a personal being, or an impersonal force.
People are naturally selfish and greedy or that a person has a psychological reason for evil behaviour such as a mental illness.
What is the purpose of suffering (in a religious person’s view)?
Pain teaches us that something is wrong.
Suffering teaches us to appreciate good things in our lives, so we don’t take it for granted.
It can make us better and stronger people if we have to show courage or determination.
It’s a test of faith.
A punishment for sin.
teaches us about love and compassion.
What do christians think suffering is a result of?
It’s a result of human freedom to choose actions that cause suffering.
What does the story of Adam and Eve demonstrate?
the consequences of free will. By disobeying God, Adam and Eve brought suffering and evil into God’s perfect world. This is known as the original sin and is why all people, to some degree, do bad things.
Why do christians believe Jesus died?
sos that people can be forgiven for their evil actions. He is the ‘second Adam’ who restored people’s relationship with God.
What are some examples in Christianity of responses to evil?
FORGIVENESS IS THE MAIN IDEA. ‘turn the other cheek’ and in the Lord’s Prayer ‘forgive us for our trespasses (sins) as we forgive those who have trespassed (sinned) against us.
