The problem of evil (key beliefs)

Question 1

Catholic response to the problem of evil and suffering (St Augustine)

Answer 1

Catholics believe that free will is a gift from God. God created humans with the ability to choose between good and evil. Humans are to blame for the suffering, not God. The story of Genesis tells how Adam and Eve decided to eat the forbidden fruit, going against God’s wishes. This is the first (original) sin, sometimes known as the Fall. Original sin is a symbol that we all share some responsibility for the evil and suffering in the world. St Augustine gives three answers to the question of suffering: 1) The existence of evil helps people
to appreciate the good in the world. 2) Evil is just the absence of good things. This is called privation. God does not cause or permit evil because evil
isn’t even a thing. 3) God allows suffering because he is omnipotent and good.

Question 2

Liberal Christian response
to the problem of evil and
suffering (John Hick’s Soul
Making)

Answer 2

John Hick developed the ideas of St. Irenaeus. According to Hick humans were made in the image of God, but they and the world itself were not made perfect. They need to grow to become spiritually perfect. Suffering and evil is the best way for humans to develop. Hick argues that God allows evil and suffering to happen, so that people can grow and develop in how they respond to it. Natural evil is one part of God’s creation which allows humans to respond and grow spiritually. Hick calls this the process of ‘soul making’.

Question 3

Jewish response to the
problem of evil and
suffering

Answer 3

Jews do not believe that people are born evil. Jews believe they are born free with the feeling
to do good or to do evil. The Torah teaches that God has given human beings choices and that it is important to struggle against the feeling to do evil
actions by obeying God. Jews have been provided with guidance through the Torah and mitzvot which are actions that Jewish people should perform
or avoid. Jews believe it is not possible to hide evil actions from God and each year, during the festivals of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews apologise (make up for or make good) for the times when they have followed their feeling
to do evil.