Why Does God Allow Evil to Exist? Why is There So Much Suffering in This World?

This is one of those questions that has crossed our minds at least once in our lifetime. This question has definitely caused us to reconsider our faith. The first thing we must recognize is that our God does many things that our human minds cannot understand; however, many of our questions will only be fully resolved and answered when we join spiritual paradise.

Second, the faith in God is wholly built on trust; it is more of a relationship with God than a religion. We follow God not because of His actions, but because we trust and believe He is the one and only.  

Now, back to our topic: the problem of evil has both an emotional and an intellectual side; it is critical not to mix the two when expressing it to someone. In this post, we are going to discuss on the possible reasons on why God allows evil to exist, so let’s get started….

What is God and Evil?

God and evil are complex and diverse concepts that philosophers, theologians, and scholars from all cultures and traditions have debated and investigated. Here is a brief overview:

God:

- God is widely seen as a supreme entity, creator, or ultimate reality with traits such as omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotence (all-powerful), omnibenevolence (all-good), and omnipresence (everywhere).

- God is widely recognized as the source of moral authority, love, and goodness.

Evil:

- The term "evil" refers to actions or intention that cause harm, misery, or injustice.

- Evil can be defined as any force, entity, or notion that opposes good and God.

- Evil can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including moral evil (human wrongdoing), natural evil (suffering and anguish in nature), and metaphysical evil.

Here are several philosophical and theological approaches to God and evil.

- Theism: God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, with evil caused by human free will or as a necessary component of the universe.

- Dualism: God and evil are diametrically opposite forces, signifying goodness and darkness, respectively.

- Monism holds that God is the ultimate reality, and evil is either a delusion or an unavoidable component of God's design.

- Atheism: God does not exist, and evil is a natural phenomenon in the cosmos.

These are only a handful of the different perspectives on God and evil. The debate continues, and there is no single definitive answer.

If God exists, why are there so many evil things happening in the world?

This infamous question has perplexed philosophers and theologians for centuries! There are many perspectives, but here are a couple opinions and explanations on this subject matter: 

1. Free Will: God gives people free will, which allows us to choose between good and evil. This indicates that humans have the ability to make mistakes and harm others.

2. Karma: In Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept of karma implies that our acts have repercussions. Good deeds bring happiness, whereas evil deeds cause misery.

3. Testing and Growth: Some think that God allows evil to exist in order to test our character, fortitude, and perseverance. Overcoming obstacles and evil can result in spiritual growth and development.

4. Mystery and Faith: The existence of evil is a mystery that cannot be fully grasped or explained. Faith in a higher power or divine plan might make us believe that there is a bigger picture or cause.

5. Human Responsibility: As humans, we must endeavor to make the world a better place and combat evil. God or a higher force may not intervene directly, but we are guided by our conscience and moral compass.

6. Dualism: Some ideologies argue that the universe is dualistic, with good and evil opposing forces in a cosmic conflict.

7. Redemption and Hope: The presence of evil can emphasize the value of redemption, forgiveness, and hope. God or a higher power may provide a pathway to redemption and salvation.

Keep in mind that these are just a few viewpoints, and the subject of why evil occurs is complicated and diverse. In the end, it may be a riddle that each person must confront and solve for themselves.

Final Words

Throughout history, philosophers, theologians, and scholars have questioned the reality of God and Evil. There are numerous perspectives and theories, but there is no agreement on a single solution. Evil is beyond our finite understanding; nonetheless, we humans are responsible for bringing evil into the world. According to Hinduism, all of our current sufferings are the product of our own karma, which can be traced back to our previous lives as well. Our human intelligence is incapable of comprehending God's actions. If you believe in God, you must also believe in his deeds, because we, not God, are responsible for bringing evil into the world.