Pain, distress and hardship is a broad umbrella. Suffering can both teach us and scar us. I think it's instances that largely do the latter which people view as negative in a larger sense.
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What's Wrong With Suffering?
- Thread starter sandy whitelinger
- Start date
Pain, distress and hardship is a broad umbrella. Suffering can both teach us and scar us. I think it's instances that largely do the latter which people view as negative in a larger sense.
Geoff-Allen
Resident megalomaniac
I think it would be far easier to "accept" suffering if it were more evenly distributed.
Some people are transformed by their suffering while many others become bitter & twisted and even violent.
That's my two-cents worth anyway.
sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
I'll attempt to elucidate. Bob and Frank are window washers. The both fall off the scaffold and break their legs the same way in the same place. Bob, being the pansy *ss that he is, is screaming bloody murder and suffering like never before. Frank being the man that he is, feeling the same pain as Bob, only says, "Aw *hit, I broke my leg.
Clearly the event, falling, or the consequence, broken leg, did not cause Frank to suffer, only Bob. Therefore the event and the consequences effect people differently. You can't end suffering by ending the events or the consequences. The only way is to eliminate what it is in people that make them feel suffering.
Ergo (I like that word), if neither Bob nor Frank were suffering (because God ended the sensation of suffering), I could walk by, see their situation and tell myself that the proper people will take care of it, and go about my business.
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sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
How is that to happen. I suffer hangnails just as much as some people a broken bone. Is that not equal suffering on our part?
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sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
Right, it's up to the individual as to how much they are suffering in that it's a part of the person that is determing the suffering.
How is that to be fixed by God? Should the part of us that interprets things as suffering never have been given us?
MonkeyFire
Well-Known Member
Suffering is a Hell thing, but itself only needs help. Its the worst thing in Hell or the best, like a devil.
RedDragon94
Love everyone, meditate often
Although God allows or permits suffering, the means by which suffering comes is judged by God. God isn't active in the extermination of six million Jews. Nope. God limits his activity in and through people so they will actually want to love him. The God that makes people oppress others is a evil God. God doesn't do that. People choose to be mean and be ********. Jesus came to give life, and you can't give life through suffering and sin. But, you can suffer for righteousness. And that is your choice to do so. God honors that.
Again, it probably only matters if you determine God to be omni-everything.
1) Babies suffer. Whilst people can learn to deal with suffering, and have various thresholds, the basic existence of suffering seems more than pyscho-sematic (don't mean you've suggested it's not). Some babies are born, suffer and die without choice. Wouldn't they have been better served to be miscarriages? Wouldn't the mother (often)?
2) I'm not convinced 'suffering' is a choice in any meaningful way. Our breaking points are different, true, but certain strains and damage causes people to break, sooner or later.
Trailblazer
Veteran Member
I agree, but some people never see the net reduction till after they die...
Some fruit only ripens when it falls from the tree.
I agree, and the main reason for suffering in this world is to diminish greater future suffering in the afterlife.
I agree. You are sure batting a thousand today.
There is goodness and holiness there somewhere even if our puny minds can't apprehend it. In fact, that is practically the whole ball of wax; we do not understand it. I understand it but I do not understand it, if you know what I mean. I do not think any of us will fully understand it till after we die. God had a reason for that, even though we do not like it... 
Jedster
Flying through space
It hurts!!
sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
Yes it does. Should God ban hurt?
Jedster
Flying through space
I have to admit that I didn't read the OP, I just responded to the title.
However, assuming 'God' is the creator of suffering, I suggest that God do more than ban it.
God should go back to the beginning of humans and do a rewrite then that with the butterfly effect, no one would have any pain or suffering or even have the concept. This thread would never exist.
Our media would be full of continual good news & celebration of existence.
sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
So when I break my leg it won't hurt?
Jedster
Flying through space
Yes, in the revamped creation, nothing would break. No break, no hurt.
sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
So nasty insurgents cut off peoples feet and it won't hurt. Woo ha!
Jedster
Flying through space
There would not be any nasty insurgents in the world.
sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
Oh. Bummer. I always wanted to get a few guys together and take over something.
Jedster
Flying through space
I know that feeling well. However in the new world such feelings would not even arise/exist.
I know, I know, it is so hard to imagine such a world.
Here is a section from a song I heard long ago. I don't remember the source. Anyone?
"I never imagined such a way, where sweet, sweet love can be known both night & day, where love is the only reality and the fruits of love the only things you see".
Koldo
Outstanding Member
However in the new world such feelings would not even arise/exist.
I know, I know, it is so hard to imagine such a world.
Here is a section from a song I heard long ago. I don't remember the source. Anyone?
"I never imagined such a way, where sweet, sweet love can be known both night & day, where love is the only reality and the fruits of love the only things you see".
Someone that can understand me on this subject! Where have you been hiding ?
Whenever I suggest the likes of 'our legs could be unbreakable if we are talking about an omnimax designer' I get weird looks. People seem to impose a lot of limitations on this omnimax designer for no apparent reason.