Unit 3 - The Problem of Evil and Suffering

Question 1

What is natural evil?

Answer 1

Evil not directly under the control of human beings eg. volcanoes, earthquakes, flooding, disease

Question 2

What is moral evil?

Answer 2

Evil caused by human beings eg. murder, rape, abuse

Question 3

What does Christianity say about the origin of evil?

Answer 3

• Many Christians believe that evil is the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God. They ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Their punishment from God was to endure suffering in life. This is known as the fall
• Some Christians believe that all people inherited the tendency to sin and ability to cause suffering from Adam and Eve. This belief is called original sin
• Evil is related to free will - Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit
• Adam and Eve were tempted to eat the fruit by Satan, a power for evil, said to be an angel thrown out of heaven for rebelling against God.

Question 4

What do Christians believe about evil and suffering?

Answer 4

• Evil is the result of free will - some humans choose to obey God and love each other, others abuse their free will and use it to harm others
• God has a plan for people’s lives that isn’t always understood, but Christians should trust and have faith in God
• God wants Christians to follow the example of Christ and help those who are suffering
• Evil and suffering is preparation for heaven - it gives humans the chance to become better people

Question 5

How do Christians respond to evil and suffering?

Answer 5

• By praying to God to either remove sources of evil and suffering or to help them bear evil and suffering
• By helping and caring for those who are suffering
• By forgiving those who commit evil

Question 6

What does Hinduism say about the origin of evil and suffering?

Answer 6

• Evil is a natural part of life and happens as the result of karma - good actions have good effects, bad actions have bad effects, whether it is immediate or in a later life
• This means that bad things happen to innocent people because of their actions in a previous life - however it is not about “deserving” suffering, rather it is having the opportunity to learn from your mistakes
• Natural evil is said by some to be a “play of the gods”, something beyond human understanding, or necessary for the balance of the earth, for example volcanic eruptions making fertile soil, or even punishment for acting evilly towards the earth

Question 7

How do Hindus respond to evil and suffering?

Answer 7

• People suffering should always be treated with compassion and kindness, otherwise they may suffer bad karmic consequences themselves
• The Bhagavad Vita encourages people to appreciate that everything is part of an eternal cycle - Hindus must do as little harm and as much good as possible to escape this cycle
• Most Hindus believe that they should act with non-violence to all living things - this belief is called ahimsa