Why do the gods allow suffering?

[Gnostic Seeker]

I've asked this question concerning the god of monotheism, so now I think it only fair to pose this question to myself and other polytheists.

Basically its this: why do the gods allow suffering?

I'll begin by stating for my part that I don't ultimately know. I can speculate based on pondering the attributes of the gods. I think one reason could be they see a bigger picture than we do, and death might not concern them as much. We being mortal sometimes think death is so terrible.

What would be your view as to why the gods and goddesses allow people to suffer?

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

Mythology has no bearing on reality, other then how previous mythology guides peoples lives.

That is why god does not exist scientifically, because there is no part of nature or humanity that can be attributed to any of thousands of man made deities.

I hardly think that's the point.

 

[StarryNightshade]

I've asked this question concerning the god of monotheism, so now I think it only fair to pose this question to myself and other polytheists.

Basically its this: why do the gods allow suffering?

I'll begin by stating for my part that I don't ultimately know. I can speculate based on pondering the attributes of the gods. I think one reason could be they see a bigger picture than we do, and death might not concern them as much. We being mortal sometimes think death is so terrible.

What would be your view as to why the gods and goddesses allow people to suffer?

As a "polytheist", this is my answer: none of the Gods are fully omniscient. At least not to the extent that the God of classical Monotheism is. They're certainly greater than us, but they are not necessarily all-knowing from an Abrahamic stance.

There is not one entity controlling everything, but rather multiple entities running the show. Some are fully "good". Some are neutral and don't care about our existence. While others are not very friendly. We just happen to be a part of their existence as much as they are a part of ours.

Also, from a Hindu POV, sometimes things just happen. It's under no ones control and is as natural as the run rising every morning.

 

[Poeticus]

I've asked this question concerning the god of monotheism, so now I think it only fair to pose this question to myself and other polytheists.

Not really.

Most pagan paths (including the Hellenic path you now subscribe to) don't hold their gods under the illogical assumption that is the all-in-one: omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omnipresent, omniscient, etc. Therefore, the "question of evil"/suffering and all that is related doesn't really apply to the paradigms of Pagandom. You are working with totally different epistemic and ontological realities here. In other words, the allowance of anything by the gods isn't computable since they aren't held to such odd standards, thus making the question undefinable.

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

That's a good point Poeticus.

 

[The Hammer]

I've asked this question concerning the god of monotheism, so now I think it only fair to pose this question to myself and other polytheists.

Basically its this: why do the gods allow suffering?

I'll begin by stating for my part that I don't ultimately know. I can speculate based on pondering the attributes of the gods. I think one reason could be they see a bigger picture than we do, and death might not concern them as much. We being mortal sometimes think death is so terrible.

What would be your view as to why the gods and goddesses allow people to suffer?

I think suffering has nothing to do with the Gods really. Maybe they do see a bigger picture, then we do, but ultimately all the suffering is caused through our own (humans) screwed up choices.

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

I think suffering has nothing to do with the Gods really. Maybe they do see a bigger picture, then we do, but ultimately all the suffering is caused through our own (humans) screwed up choices.

Yes that is true

 

[The Hammer]

Not really.

Most pagan paths (including the Hellenic path you now subscribe to) don't hold their gods under the illogical assumption that is the all-in-one: omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omnipresent, omniscient, etc. Therefore, the "question of evil"/suffering and all that is related doesn't really apply to the paradigms of Pagandom. You are working with totally different epistemic and ontological realities here. In other words, the allowance of anything by the gods isn't computable since they aren't held to such odd standards, thus making the question undefinable.

I would like to throw the off-topic aside out there that I am pretty sure the Gods are Omnipresent. If they weren't I'd be screwed and need to move to Ireland .

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

I know a lot of suffering is of human making as you said, and the gods aren't our babysitters. In fact, one of the things I thought about while asking this question is the attribution of the law of hospitality to the gods among the Greeks. It went something like this in my mind:

The gods have taught man the law of hospitality, that to give is better than to receive. Who's fault is man's greed? Not the gods.

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

I would like to throw the off-topic aside out there that I am pretty sure the Gods are Omnipresent. If they weren't I'd be screwed and need to move to Ireland .

I'll bite. Doesn't it have to do with their names too? Their names having power and meaning, and invoking them by their names?

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Greetings!
>
You sure picked a doozy of a question! I wouldn't mind a dollar for every time a human being has felt moved to ask this question. If there were a simple & convincing answer, I guess the question wouldn't need to be raised so often.
>
I did a quick Google and found this page -
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WHY WOULD GOD PLACE SADNESSAND SUFFERING INTO THE WORLD? | The Global Conversation
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Suffering is a very mixed bag if you ask me. Some people (like me) have been transformed by their suffering while other people simply become all bitter & twisted as a result of their suffering.
>
I guess the best we can do is to remain compassionate and try to relieve people's suffering wherever we can.
>
Here's a few thoughts about compassion -
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quotes, quotations and passages on compassion
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Let me know if you DO find an answer that satisfies you.
>
Namaste

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

So you think that god not existing has nothing to do with the mythology not helping anyone?

You speak as though something being mythology would mean it has no truth, when in fact the truth in it is very like the gods, of an essence other than our everyday literal/material.

 

[The Hammer]

I know a lot of suffering is of human making as you said, and the gods aren't our babysitters. In fact, one of the things I thought about while asking this question is the attribution of the law of hospitality to the gods among the Greeks. It went something like this in my mind:

The gods have taught man the law of hospitality, that to give is better than to receive. Who's fault is man's greed? Not the gods.

Agreed, the Gods are not babysitters. This is the first time I have heard of the law of hospitality, but it is pretty much the same premise I live by. We were taught to be compassionate to one another, to not be is our own choice.

I'll bite. Doesn't it have to do with their names too? Their names having power and meaning, and invoking them by their names?

I don't know about all that, but I have recently started work with the Celtic deities, thanks to a random visit. If they aren't omnipresent, then that means I have to go to Ireland/Wales/Britain to do them service. I would not be able to contact them here in the US. Lol.

 

[The Hammer]

I've asked this question concerning the god of monotheism, so now I think it only fair to pose this question to myself and other polytheists.

Mythology has no bearing on reality, other then how previous mythology guides peoples lives.

That is why god does not exist scientifically, because there is no part of nature or humanity that can be attributed to any of thousands of man made deities.

Do you make a habit of thread derailing? The OP specifically stated that this was being asked of Polytheists.

 

[Jainarayan]

What would be your view as to why the gods and goddesses allow people to suffer?

I think it's a problem if one believes their gods to be omnipotent or omniscient; our gods for example, are not omniscient or omnipotent. I don't think they allow it or prevent it or can: I don't believe they have total control. In my path, the gods are our elder, wiser and greater kin and friends. They also are subject to the laws of the universe, laws which were set in motion at some point. Being greater than we are, I believe they can and do help as much as they can when they can, much as our earthly friends and family do, but the gods can't control everything.

 

[Jainarayan]

... I am pretty sure the Gods are Omnipresent. ...

Thanks for mentioning that. I think they are omnipresent, but not omniscient or omnipotent.

 

[Poeticus]

I would like to throw the off-topic aside out there that I am pretty sure the Gods are Omnipresent. If they weren't I'd be screwed and need to move to Ireland .

I'd like to tour Ireland one day. I have an incurable fondness for non-mainstream strands of Irish Whiskey.

Either way, please keep in mind that the colon in that sentence of mine (from the section in question) is defining that "all-in-one". Various gods can be omnipresent or omniscient here and there, yes, but I stress that "all-in-one" factor in the sense that a+b+c+d+e=One True God. That that doesn't apply and thus is undefinable.

Most pagan paths (including the Hellenic path you now subscribe to) don't hold their gods under the illogical assumption that is the all-in-one: omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omnipresent, omniscient, etc.

In other words:

Zeus is not omnipotent and omnibenevolent and omnipresent and omniscient and so and so.

Zeus, however, is omnipresent.

I hope that helps clarify the matter.

 

[Gnostic Seeker]

The Greeks thought Zeus was omnipotent, but I'm not sure they meant the Abrahamic definition. I'd venture to say it probably means Zeus's power is beyond comprehension.

 

[The Hammer]

Polytheist base their beliefs on reality?

This isn't a discussion on whether or not the Gods are a reality or whether or not Polytheist's views are a reality, but one regarding what reason the Gods have for allowing suffering. And as you do not believe in any God or Gods for that matter, your opinion is unnecessary on this particular discussion.

As I have stated before, on another thread that you have done this, if you have a particular thing you would like to discuss, then create a thread for it and discuss it. Don't jump on to another thread and derail it from it's OP, to suit your own agenda.

 

[The Hammer]

I'd like to tour Ireland one day. I have an incurable fondness for non-mainstream strands of Irish Whiskey.

Either way, please keep in mind that the colon in that sentence of mine (from the section in question) is defining that "all-in-one". Various gods can be omnipresent or omniscient here and there, yes, but I stress that "all-in-one" factor in the sense that a+b+c+d+e=One True God. That that doesn't apply and thus is undefinable.



In other words:

Zeus is not omnipotent and omnibenevolent and omnipresent and omniscient and so and so.

Zeus, however, is omnipresent.

I hope that helps clarify the matter.

Having re-read what you wrote, I can see what you meant now. I was a little confused at first. The gods aren't all of those, but can represent some or none of those characteristics. *lightbulb turns on*