HAVE YOU AN ANSWER TO LIFE'S SUFFERING?

[Anto]

Religions is good, but I think that the most important thing is how it can help us in our lives.
My religion has some answers to the question of evil in the world but before I say them to you (if I will ever say them!!)I would to know what do you think about it or what your religions say.
Hoping to hear from you...


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BYe
Anto

[Goose]

Anto

Glad to see you posting. We all enjoy hearing your side of things. It is refreshing and enjoyable to hear all sides.

As for my religion I was brought up Roman Catholic and after a few years their ideals and my ideals towards spirituality changed.
The reason for this is personal and has led me to question it more than once.

Today, though I have found my own path to spirituality without the help of any church, I still follow however the Catholic churches doctrines as a guideline but not as a rule.

I'm not one to get too caught up in symbols and prophets. I do pick and choose ideas from all religions but merely as guidelines to allow me have a better understanding of my own spirituality.

Too often I have found organized religion to be like standing in the unemployment line waiting for salvation. When its your turn you just want that meal ticket with little understanding of why your in line and how to get out of it the next time. Most people never have a clue what is really going on inside themselves.


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Goose
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"All science has one aim, namely, to find a theory of nature." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

[This message has been edited by Goose (edited 21 May 2000).]

[pudding450]

Hello Anto, how are you?

What kind of evil are you referring to?

In my opinion if you are talking about people who are evil. I believe most of them have had an abusive childhood, caused by their parents who have also been abused. This has been scientificly proven in most cases. In others it is said to be a chemical imbalance in the brain.

In the Bible there are verses saying that the source of evil is the God of the
Bible. Here is one of the verses:
Isaiah 45:7*

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

Joh 9:1 - 3
1 And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man which was blind from [his] birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

If GOD created everything........pudding



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pudding

so put on a happy face....

Hi Anto, my religious path resembles Goose's. I was raised in the Luthern church and have never like the idea of going to a building to learn about God. I don't recall the church ever discussing our spirituality, mostly just reading the Bible with no questions and expecting you to take it as the word of God. I've always had a problem with that.
I feel at this time in my life, for the first time, I'm more in touch with my spirit and my life's journey than ever before.

As far as your question about life's suffering. I believe that's an unanswered question. My daughter has a medical disorder and suffers from pain every day. She's not done any "great" sin to have the kind of pain she has. So, people's suffering sometimes will remain an unanswered question.


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Gaol, Dilseachd, Cairdeas

[Willy]

During the Gulf war between Iraq and the U.S. Iraq tried to shame Saudi Arbia for turning it's back on another Arab nation to assist the U.S. (Iraq claimed it as a "holy" war, remember?)
A clergyman was asked "Whose side was God on?"
The clergyman answered, "God is on the side of those suffering".

Some religions believe that God actually causes suffering! ( People being punished or tested by God). I cannot believe in a holy spirit that would purposely allow innocent children to suffer from disease, starvation, or natural disasters.

[pudding450]

Becca, you are so fortunate to have found this in your life. I am very happy for you.

I feel at this time in my life, for the first time, I'm more in touch with my spirit and my life's journey than ever before

Still searching.........pudding

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pudding

so put on a happy face....

Pudding, this has been a very hard journey. It's been more of taking off a mask and seeing people for who and what they really are, and not how I imagined it.
It's still a struggle with the decision I've made, but I won't turn back, even if that way is easier.
If you're happy with yourself Pudding, maybe you don't need to search for anything. I wasn't happy with me and I needed to be. I'm still working on that as well.

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Gaol, Dilseachd, Cairdeas