The Problem of Suffering and Evil |
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Suffering is classed into two groups – natural suffering (i.e. caused by natural events or occurrences, such as disease or an earthquake), and moral or human suffering (i.e. caused by human actions, such as assault or murder).
Evil is usually considered to be an act that is done intentionally and which will result harm or suffering to another person. |
The Hard Facts
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What is 'Evil'?Different ideas about what evil is:
(1) Some people think that evil is an impersonal force that draws people into doing wrong. It is almost like a magnet, pulling people towards actions they know are harmful to themselves or to others. Sometimes evil seems very powerful. Alcoholics may describe their addiction as a force quite beyond their control. (2) Other people would describe evil as a personal being or devil who causes people to sin. In Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Satan or Iblis* is the source of all evil. *(Islamic name for Satan or the devil) (3) Today, many people would say that evil is a psychological phenomenon. Upbringing and social environment has a major influence on people’s behaviour. Some may be suffering from a mental illness or condition that causes them to act in a certain way. |
Why are suffering and evil a 'problem'? |
Video (from TrueTube)
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Suffering and evil present a problem for theists (religious believers) because God is omniscient, omnipotent and benevolent. In other words, God knows we suffer and could do something about it, and is supposed to love us. If this is the case, why does God allow us to suffer and be cruel and evil to one another?
The conclusion may be that God doesn’t exist, or that God fails to live up the idea of being either omniscient, omnipotent and/or benevolent. |
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Discussion points |
Can any good come out of suffering?See what ideas you can think of then click below for suggestions
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If possible, watch the film Shadowlands
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Religious responses to suffering and evil |
Past AQA Exam Questions
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Videos
The Problem of Evil
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The Free Will Defence:
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Design a Revision Diagram
Sources
Fleming, Jordan, Smith and Worden, Religious Philosophy and Ultimate Questions (Nelson Thornes)
AQA Exam Board, past exam questions
Hard Facts quiz statistics sources from a range of websites
Fleming, Jordan, Smith and Worden, Religious Philosophy and Ultimate Questions (Nelson Thornes)
AQA Exam Board, past exam questions
Hard Facts quiz statistics sources from a range of websites