Why does God let bad things happen?

Jim2 · Post by **Jim2** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:54 pm

Why does God let bad things happen in the world?
This question is probably as old as religion itself. It is a stumbling block for some of us, and for many more at given moments of tragedy. There are as many answers to this question as there are people who care to engage in theological dialogue. One understanding is that yes, God allows "bad" things to happen; God does not cause them to happen.

Most "bad" things which happen do so because God gives a radical freedom to God's people; we are free people, not puppets on a string. But God does not cause "bad" things to happen. God loves us and grieves with us in our pain when "bad things" happen.

Therefore, we might best respond by saying that God does not Will "bad" things to happen in life. Rather, "bad" things happen in the freedom that comes with the gift of life. When "bad" things happen to any of God's children, God is grieved and suffers with us, experienced most vividly in the hurt and suffering of Jesus the Christ for all humanity. Any "bad" thing which happens is never the last word. Rather, God is the deepest and last word, and that word is love and eternal life with God.

Have a good day everyone, Jim

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:13 pm

AMEN! I totally agree with everything that you said! I hate when people say I dont know why God let this happen when it was them that caused it to happen in the first place. God bless you!

Jennifier

derfy · Post by **derfy** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:15 pm

Thanks Jennifier

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:56 pm

Hi Jim,
I do not believe in "God" but numerous gods and goddesses. I believe that we are all connected, eternal souls that reincarnate and survive through anything. I do believe everything happens for a reason and there is no "bad". Don't worry about the bad things- those are circumstantial. Just have faith in yourself and know that whatever happens in THIS life makes your soul that much stronger for the eternity ahead.
I hope I have not offended you. I just felt I had to share. I used to believe in God, but found more hope in thinking larger- universal.

Thank you,
Kelly

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:30 pm

Hi Jim, I like your take on the world. It is different but true in a sense. I believe that "us" people in general are very different from any other species on the earth because we have something they do not. That is the freedom to choose. Life is a series of choices and moments.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:41 pm

When "bad" things happen to any of God's children, God is grieved and suffers with us, experienced most vividly in the hurt and suffering of Jesus the Christ for all humanity.

God doesn't grieve for us Jim. He experiences are emotions through us, with us. He see's the ying and yang if you will. He knows through suffering comes a positive outcome. We wouldn't know love without hate. We couldn't have life without God. He's gives it with a purpose. That purpose includes suffering and the opposite of suffering is pleasure. The ying and yang.

Jewel

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:12 am

kellebelle30, I put my faith in God, not myself. I see everyday what happens in this world when man relies on himself,or mankind, no thanks. This world is eroding away because of secular humanism.
Thanks sierra_sky.
Jewel08, I don't believe in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. I can see you used it as an analogy, but just to clarify, I believe in nothing but God. God created, God rules, God is in control.
Have a good one, JIm

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:40 am

I believe in God too Jim, I just don't follow organized religion as you do.

Jewel

hopehound · Post by **hopehound** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:14 am

What about Jesus? Do you believe in Him?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:16 am

Yes Jim, I believe in Jesus.

Jewel