Does anyone here believe that the problem of evil in the world is all caused by free will or by some other evil force?

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by CleoPlato

Isn't this forum supposed to be about discussion? It seems like everyone is just squabbling over the differences between the religion forum and the Christian forum. This reminds me of my undergrad experiences. Not enough discussing, too much squabbling. So, in order to end this problem I pose a question... Does anyone here believe that the problem of evil in the world is all caused by free will or by some other evil force?

I think it's caused by the very nature of being alive. Being and staying comfortable, fed, unaccosted by the elements, by...whatever, etc., is just by its very nature "strife"-filled or at least continuous work throughout any living creature's lifetime. I do believe in karma, but for learning's sake--not necessarily in an "eye for an eye" (so to speak) way. However, as far as suffering, I believe we crave experience and that's why we're (collectively) on earth. But we get very caught up in the difficulties of life and start trying to take care of ourselves to the detriment of others, etc. or other issues can happen related to the nature of being in a body and mind made of materials that are meant to eventually break down. Glitches can happen in the works all over the place. That part is just plain biology.

Life, as wonderful as it is, has its discomforts. Some we do create ourselves (sometimes quite horribly!) Life also has its wonderful pleasures. Some of these we create ourselves. I don't believe the devil is "doing it" to us. Nor do I believe it's our "comeuppance" for being an inherently "evil" or bad race.

In fact, I think a lot of atrocities we see are the direct result of the guilt, anger, an general neurosis we suffer from having been told since birth that we're evil/sinners/imperfect/going to hell unless we "believe" or do such-and-such.

It's enough to drive anyone crazy. And it does. And not just in Judeo-Christian religions, either. I'm sure such spiritual freakouts have occurred in other religions as well and continue to do so.

It's the ultimate irony.

That's my belief.

Now...the extension of all this...I do believe we have to experience everything, and also to make up for, somehow or other, negatives (I don't claim to know exactly how this would work in each and every case), maybe even by following our victims into the next life and taking care of the instead, who knows--before we're "harmless" and experienced again to go back to our basic main source. I don't know whether or not we take our personalities with us. Just not sure about that one.