Is God Just? Would a just God allow suffering?

[Thinking Homer]

One of the reasons that atheists often give for not believing in God, is that a benevolent, loving Creator would not allow such suffering and depravity to run rampant in this world (child prostitution, human trafficking, rape, violence, genocide etc). Indeed, even theists struggle with this question from time to time, and when we turn to our respective holy scriptures, some of the things we read are controversial at best:

"Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.” - 1 Samuel 15:3

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great." - Quran 4:34

Verily, death is predestinated for the born one,
and birth is unavoidable for the one who has died. Do not
grieve over what is inevitable! - Bhagavad Gita 2:27

What is your opinion on God's justice? If God is just, what is your reason for saying so? If not, is there any hope for this world? Feel free to defend the above scriptures as well.

 

[whirlingmerc]

One of the reasons that atheists often give for not believing in God, is that a benevolent, loving Creator would not allow such suffering and depravity to run rampant in this world (child prostitution, human trafficking, rape, violence, genocide etc). Indeed, even theists struggle with this question from time to time, and when we turn to our respective holy scriptures, some of the things we read are controversial at best:

"Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.” - 1 Samuel 15:3

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great." - Quran 4:34

Verily, death is predestinated for the born one,
and birth is unavoidable for the one who has died. Do not
grieve over what is inevitable! - Bhagavad Gita 2:27

What is your opinion on God's justice? If God is just, what is your reason for saying so? If not, is there any hope for this world? Feel free to defend the above scriptures as well.

The world is owed justice but can can give mercy to whom he chooses

But as far as individual cases you would have to know the context. God waited centuries to move Moses toward and Joshua with the people into the promised land... it speaks of long suffering and patience not quick to judge and quick to punish

 

[Regiomontanus]

it

One of the reasons that atheists often give for not believing in God, is that a benevolent, loving Creator would not allow such suffering and depravity to run rampant in this world (child prostitution, human trafficking, rape, violence, genocide etc). Indeed, even theists struggle with this question from time to time, and when we turn to our respective holy scriptures, some of the things we read are controversial at best:

"Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.” - 1 Samuel 15:3

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great." - Quran 4:34

Verily, death is predestinated for the born one,
and birth is unavoidable for the one who has died. Do not
grieve over what is inevitable! - Bhagavad Gita 2:27

What is your opinion on God's justice? If God is just, what is your reason for saying so? If not, is there any hope for this world? Feel free to defend the above scriptures as well.

Hello. The existence of evil and suffering in the world has, in the modern age, turned many away from religion. One way to deal with issue is process theology (theistic evolution too):

Process Theology

I am not saying that is the answer, just that is one that is out there.

Peace

 

[Deeje]

One of the reasons that atheists often give for not believing in God, is that a benevolent, loving Creator would not allow such suffering and depravity to run rampant in this world (child prostitution, human trafficking, rape, violence, genocide etc). Indeed, even theists struggle with this question from time to time, and when we turn to our respective holy scriptures, some of the things we read are controversial at best:

"Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.” - 1 Samuel 15:3

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great." - Quran 4:34

Verily, death is predestinated for the born one,
and birth is unavoidable for the one who has died. Do not
grieve over what is inevitable! - Bhagavad Gita 2:27

What is your opinion on God's justice? If God is just, what is your reason for saying so? If not, is there any hope for this world? Feel free to defend the above scriptures as well.

We, as the only sentient beings created in the image of our Maker, possess an acute sense of justice....even small children can detect injustice as we often hear...."that's not fair!"

When some people read Bible accounts where there appears to be injustice carried out by the Creator, it gives reason to pause....can the one who gave us our sense of justice, himself carry out injustice?

But understanding a few relevant facts can provide some perspective. First of all, why would injustice exist in a world created by a God of justice in the first place?

When humans withdrew from under the protective wings of their God, he penalized them for their disobedience. The penalty was known before the deed was committed, so no injustice there.

But what God did next was unexpected I believe, by both man and the spirit creature who tricked them into obeying him. God evicted them from their paradise home, barring access to " the tree of life" which was there to keep them living indefinitely as long as they were obedient......and God cursed the ground outside of Eden, where the humans would now have to eke out an existence. From eating any variety of fruit they chose in the paradise garden that God created for them, humans would now have to "eat bread" 'in the sweat of their face' on soil that fought their efforts to cultivate it. Life was now tough, out there on their own. Was that unjust? Or was this an opportunity to teach both humans and angels, the value of obedience?

Even though God virtually abandoned Adam and his wife to a life of difficulty, he did not abandon their children, born into sin and death through no fault of their own, God provided direction and evidence of his care for them, even though he had stepped away from interfering in their choices.

Free will is a valuable gift, but misuse is what caused the devil to rebel and to tempt the humans to join him by lying to them. They joined him in rebellion and we have all suffered in one way or another ever since.

God has at times responded very strongly when humans or rebellious angels took things too far. But understanding that demonic influence has always been a factor in human conduct, we cannot underestimate what God saw at times that humans didn't.

With regard to the incident in 1 Samuel regarding the Amalekites..... "Why are the Amalekites of interest to us? Because they were to become chronic enemies of God and his chosen people of that time, ancient Israel. The way God dealt with these Amalekites is of concern to all men and nations, since it provides a pattern for the way He will deal with his enemies today."
Read more....
The Amalekites—A Lesson for Opposers of God — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

The story behind his actions prove that there was no injustice carried out. These Amalekites got what they deserved. Just as the people of Noah's day deserved what God meted out to them.

God's justice is tempered with mercy when such is warranted....but it is never served with sentiment.....that is a purely human emotion that can cloud the serving of true justice.

It does not respond to crocodile tears or puppy dog eyes.

That is how I see things.

 

[shunyadragon]

One of the reasons that atheists often give for not believing in God, is that a benevolent, loving Creator would not allow such suffering and depravity to run rampant in this world (child prostitution, human trafficking, rape, violence, genocide etc). Indeed, even theists struggle with this question from time to time, and when we turn to our respective holy scriptures, some of the things we read are controversial at best:

"Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.” - 1 Samuel 15:3

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great." - Quran 4:34

Verily, death is predestinated for the born one,
and birth is unavoidable for the one who has died. Do not
grieve over what is inevitable! - Bhagavad Gita 2:27

What is your opinion on God's justice? If God is just, what is your reason for saying so? If not, is there any hope for this world? Feel free to defend the above scriptures as well.

I do not believe that you can cite ancient scripture and understand God's nature in terms of human suffering. Ancient scripture to a degree reflects a human view of suffering from the fallible human perspective of an ancient culture.

Choice? No pick.

 

[stvdv]

What is your opinion on God's justice? If God is just, what is your reason for saying so?

IF God exists AND has all these omnis I think He did quite a great job. That people mess up their given freedom and then blaming God is just a narcissistic trait. That's all IMHO