Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 7/31/2005

Question
Hi,

I have been interested in understanding how different world religions explain the pain and suffering that is so pervasive in this world.

The way God has been introduced to us, i.e. as all knowing, omnipotent, and omnipresent, it seems impossible to believe that anyting happens independent of God's will.

I have heard number of common explanations, but none of them our completely satisfactory. So I was wondering if you could tell me more or refer me to some reading materials. Explanations I have heard are:

1. We deserve the suffering because of our sins.

2. God is testing our faith.

3. The suffering is caused by the evil in the world and not God.

4. We simply don't know, i.e. God works in mysterious ways.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.


Adrien


Answer
Dear Adrien,

Thanks for writing - and you are right.

There are a variety of religious explanations for the suffering in the world and I've yet to find a consistent rationale that satisfies me.

Let's not kid ourselves. There are explanations that are accepted by individuals and even groups or sects without further questions or objections. Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Tao, etc.

However, for me any of the suggestions you list in  numbers 1-4 are unacceptable, if only because I can indicate exceptions to that "rule."

For me, the best answer is provided by Rabbi Harold Kushner in his work "When Bad Things Happen To Good People," and NOT the title that people quote which is incorrect ("Why Bad Things Happen....")

He concludes that while we will never know "why" what we need to do is learn how to respond in the face of suffering.

If he is forced to make any "choice" about God's nature, he concludes that God is all-knowing, all-present, all-good, etc. but not all-powerful.

I would add my own thought as well. Too often we hold God responsible for tragedy and suffering that we as human beings - individually and collectively - should have and could have prevented!

For example, the Holocaust was a case of the world not caring - they knew - whether or not Hitler could annhilate whole groups of people he considered sub-human. But for a few, the Germans, the Poles, the Ukrainians, etc. cooperated at all levels in the extermination of the Jews (and of course many other groups as well but in lesser numbers - although the loss of one life is a tragedy).

May we all work to build a world community of respect, compassion, and caring for each other - above all a world of peace.

Rabbi Dov