CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Why is There Suffering in this World?

So that was the topic at church tonight...

I'm wondering what your tough questions for God are?

Share your thoughts....

13 comments:

Out said...

Why are there instructions in brail at a drive up ATM?

Kristi said...

Real questions Dan....real questions.

VikingMom said...

Here's my question: "How did you do it? Create it all?"

Seriously, I want to see how it all unfolded from the very beginning of creation. My kids make fun of me because I'm in awe of the amazing design of a just simple blade of grass. (Don't get me started but the intricacies of the seemingly simple design are astounding. Yes. I am a science freak.)

Sarah B. said...

Here's my personal very selfish question. Why, when I totally understand the fact that my sufferings are mostly my own doing and I know that God has a plan for me and IT is all leading to something bigger and better and I appreciate that he is using my sufferings for good and I can see the good of the sufferings...why does it still hurt?

Heidi said...

How can He have a Master Plan for my life if everyone also has free will? If everyone has free will, then they're free to make their own choices, right? And choices made by other people will overlap with my life.

But if God has a Master Plan, and He knows the big picture - doesn't that mean that everyone's free will choices (and the outcomes of those choices) have been factored into His Master Plan for my life?

If they have been factored into His Plan, then the choices that everyone made were a part of His plan all along. So where's the free will?

And if there's no free will - then what's my purpose?

VikingMom said...

Oh Heidi. Now my head is spinning. Maybe it was all the dessert at the potluck.

Jon in HB said...

Why so big for just us? The universe is so big, I can't even wrap my head around it. So many gazillion miles and stars and planets and just us. Did he intend for us to explore it or just to wonder it?

Out said...

OKAAAYYY!...Sorry Kristi! Here is my REAL question...How can God see and hear everyone at the same time and still have a one on one personal and intimate relationship with each of us?...AND...when God sees something that is funny and at the same time sees something that is sad...how does he laugh and cry at the same time?

Sarah B. said...

Wow, Heidi, that is a lot of thinking...I usually stop my brain before it goes that far. And I sort of have that same question as Jon....is all that space out there for us to explore or just wonder in amazement. Personally I am not an "outer space" person. I almost think it is a waste of money and resources to go explore BUT are we supposed to be exploring it? And Dan, I laughed and sad cried at the same time when I watched Juno. So if I can do it God can do it...although when I did it I looked a little scary.

Out said...

Ok Sarah...can you actually laugh and cry (be happy and sad) at the exact same time? Or try this...don't just stop with being happy and sad at the same time...but ad to the mix, anger, joy, jealousy, love, etc...all at the exact same time! That is like two things occupying the same exact spot at the same time! Mind boggling to me! Or is that mind blogging? Oh well!

Diane Davis said...

Oh, I have lots of questions...

questions about suffering....

questions if Christianity is really an exclusive religion or if it is one way that leads to God and the Bible is an amazing love story that was written in a specific cultural context...

questions about the Bible and cultural context...

questions about if there really is a hell...

questions of if there is a hell then i'm not sure how that fits with an all-loving god. sure, we have choice, but doesn't gods love trump our own limited paradigms...

questions about the Christian Right having so much power in using the name of God and how that not only oppresses so many people in the world, but it hurts my (and others) faith...

questions about why leaders in the world can be so evil when innocent suffer...

questions of why when I seek with all my heart many times all I hear is silence...

questions about praying so hard for others and it seeming there is no movement...

questions about how to really live in love and not judgement of others which is based in fear... why is the latter easier?

questions about justice...

oh, there is more, but there are a few.

Diane Davis said...

goodness... i just read those again and i sound like such a downer! but there is my honesty... faith doesn't come easy to me but i'll keep plugging along...

Lisa P said...

Good work, Diane, in being honest. As I read these and the other comments, I've had (and still do!) have so many of those same questions. Heidi, I knew exactly where you were going by your second sentence! I have thought those exact thoughts!

Good question, Kristi!