I am a middle-aged South African woman, living in Johannesburg. I began writing poetry towards the end of May 2010. I love animals – sometimes more than people! I am back after a break. Thanks for still being here, if you are! Missed you! xxx
God’s will and suffering innocents. This matter is probably the major reason people turn to atheism or agnosticism. Unmerited suffering. I can never
figure it out and that we are unable to comprehend the machinations of God
never brought me consolation. On the other hand, I am less inclined to accept
that the Crucifixion pays for our sins and more inclined to believe it is significant in relating that God knows human pain. I assure you that if I was God I would have made my creation quite differently. I am sure God and me will have occasion to discuss the matter. Just hope the discussion will begin quite some time in the future.
I have never been able to fully understand why some innocent babies and children suffer in this life. I have always believed that my God is a God of Love, so this doesn’t make any sense to me, unless it is a testing of our faith. No doubt we will understand one day and it will all fit into God’s plan. I do think God understands all our human emotions.
I think that we are all here to teach each other and to learn from each other. And that God uses different methods and paths for each of us to achieve what He sees as best for us. We are all broken in some way but none of us are flawed. We are indeed perfect just as we were created to be.
This is a great philosophical question and I am with Carl D’Agostino. However, there is the answer. We have two inherent weaknesses, one to link phenomenon in a causal relation… however weak the supposition be; And two about natural justice… that good people should always be happy and the bad should always suffer.
We go on refining the cause, whenever it doesnot fit into our scheme of things. In a cauldron … as big as the creation itself… everything has to be at some place… the top, middle or the bottom … but thankfully it is not permanent and is only a fleeting phenomenon. In a dynamic contunuum we can’t have a static model. Unfortunately, all of us petition GOD to keep us afloat and never want to lie low. History, economics, science, and every branch of philosophy is replete with proofs of this truth. We have invested God with so many traits but never one for ourselves to bravely face the life with all its challenges. Our knowledge has only weakened us further than strengthening our character.
I liked you chose this subject. We should never lose this childy trait of wondering at the Life’s vagaries.
You are right, Sunamu, about our seeking simplified answers to very difficult questions. This, I think, is one of the most difficult questions for religion to answer and, because we influence all those around us, and they influence those around them, life’s experiences are more complicated that mere ripples in a pool in that the ripples also have branches! I know that one day all will be revealed and we will know that everything had a purpose and what that purpose is/was.
I’m not sure I fully share your view on: ‘…Unfortunately, all of us petition GOD to keep us afloat…’ I know we do ask God for help, and I believe he answers in his own way which we sometimes only see with hindsight as it is not what we expected, but I feel we should just ask God to be with us, guide us, give us strength to do what is right and then we should have faith and know that He will do just that.
My post on the Little Drummer Boy brought this question to mind and I wondered what everyone else thought. Thank you for your reply. I always respect what you have to say, Murty.
I think that God is Love and that we are all special. I think His will is too complicated for us to understand and we will have to wait for all to be revealed…
I agree 100% with your first sentence, Ben. I am not so sure about your quotation from Lao Tzu though. I think that those who know should speak out and share their knowledge. 😕
Adeeyoyo's Blog 
13/12/2011 at 12:13 pm
God’s will and suffering innocents. This matter is probably the major reason people turn to atheism or agnosticism. Unmerited suffering. I can never
figure it out and that we are unable to comprehend the machinations of God
never brought me consolation. On the other hand, I am less inclined to accept
that the Crucifixion pays for our sins and more inclined to believe it is significant in relating that God knows human pain. I assure you that if I was God I would have made my creation quite differently. I am sure God and me will have occasion to discuss the matter. Just hope the discussion will begin quite some time in the future.
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13/12/2011 at 8:13 pm
I have never been able to fully understand why some innocent babies and children suffer in this life. I have always believed that my God is a God of Love, so this doesn’t make any sense to me, unless it is a testing of our faith. No doubt we will understand one day and it will all fit into God’s plan. I do think God understands all our human emotions.
LikeLike
13/12/2011 at 1:45 pm
I think that we are all here to teach each other and to learn from each other. And that God uses different methods and paths for each of us to achieve what He sees as best for us. We are all broken in some way but none of us are flawed. We are indeed perfect just as we were created to be.
Wonderful thought provoking post!
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13/12/2011 at 8:15 pm
I agree with you, Jeannie, about our learning from each other. Thanks!
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13/12/2011 at 2:16 pm
Our imperfections are perfect though, don’t you think? We learn from them.
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13/12/2011 at 8:16 pm
Yes, Liz, I think we all have faults which, hopefully, we learn from.
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13/12/2011 at 3:27 pm
This is a great philosophical question and I am with Carl D’Agostino. However, there is the answer. We have two inherent weaknesses, one to link phenomenon in a causal relation… however weak the supposition be; And two about natural justice… that good people should always be happy and the bad should always suffer.
We go on refining the cause, whenever it doesnot fit into our scheme of things. In a cauldron … as big as the creation itself… everything has to be at some place… the top, middle or the bottom … but thankfully it is not permanent and is only a fleeting phenomenon. In a dynamic contunuum we can’t have a static model. Unfortunately, all of us petition GOD to keep us afloat and never want to lie low. History, economics, science, and every branch of philosophy is replete with proofs of this truth. We have invested God with so many traits but never one for ourselves to bravely face the life with all its challenges. Our knowledge has only weakened us further than strengthening our character.
I liked you chose this subject. We should never lose this childy trait of wondering at the Life’s vagaries.
LikeLike
13/12/2011 at 8:31 pm
You are right, Sunamu, about our seeking simplified answers to very difficult questions. This, I think, is one of the most difficult questions for religion to answer and, because we influence all those around us, and they influence those around them, life’s experiences are more complicated that mere ripples in a pool in that the ripples also have branches! I know that one day all will be revealed and we will know that everything had a purpose and what that purpose is/was.
I’m not sure I fully share your view on: ‘…Unfortunately, all of us petition GOD to keep us afloat…’ I know we do ask God for help, and I believe he answers in his own way which we sometimes only see with hindsight as it is not what we expected, but I feel we should just ask God to be with us, guide us, give us strength to do what is right and then we should have faith and know that He will do just that.
My post on the Little Drummer Boy brought this question to mind and I wondered what everyone else thought. Thank you for your reply. I always respect what you have to say, Murty.
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13/12/2011 at 4:43 pm
Accidents never happen . . . in a perfect world.
But is this world perfect?
Probably not.
Thought provoking post, Denise
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13/12/2011 at 8:32 pm
Oh how I wish this was a perfect world, Nancy! One day… 😀
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13/12/2011 at 5:04 pm
ugh heavy post…i think that all are special and loved and things happen…i dont claim to understand god’s will at times or why they do happen but…
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13/12/2011 at 8:33 pm
I think that God is Love and that we are all special. I think His will is too complicated for us to understand and we will have to wait for all to be revealed…
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13/12/2011 at 6:31 pm
Good and fair questions all.. Only God knows. But, this I know, I have been blessed. Thank you for reminding me.
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13/12/2011 at 8:34 pm
That is true, Jack. Only God knows. But we will all understand one day…
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13/12/2011 at 9:43 pm
If we were meant to know then we would already know.
I love the quotation:
“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.”
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14/12/2011 at 7:27 am
I agree 100% with your first sentence, Ben. I am not so sure about your quotation from Lao Tzu though. I think that those who know should speak out and share their knowledge. 😕
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14/12/2011 at 10:45 am
The allegory of “I Told You There’s No One There” addresses this paradox
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13/12/2011 at 10:13 pm
One of my friends just got bad news in this regard about her pregnancy, renewing all the why questions. I believe we will know the answers someday.
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14/12/2011 at 7:28 am
Yes, Andra, I believe that one day we will all understand. I don’t think we can question God’s motives, but must just accept and have faith.
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14/12/2011 at 4:41 am
Ours is not to question why?
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14/12/2011 at 7:30 am
Exactly, Cin! Faith and acceptance is the answer until God reveals all.
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14/12/2011 at 10:46 am
Perfection could be subjective too. My perfect may not be your perfect.
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14/12/2011 at 11:09 am
That’s true too, Inzwakazi. We are conceited enough to think we know, but in the end it’s God’s perfect that counts, lol!
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