If God exists — MysticMonist
pseudo-problem in history of philosophy. — Pacem
In the same way, illness is the deprivation of health, — Pacem
If God exists and He is all good and all powerful why does He allow evil? If there is no satisfactory answer to this question does it disprove God? — MysticMonist
I'm really discussing the problem of suffering. Suffering is not necessarily evil. In fact I would say they aren't the same. — MysticMonist
God "works in mysterious ways". — darthbarracuda
This question needs to be addressed first, because if God does exist, t — Thorongil
I don't know we can know exactly why or how God permits suffering. — MysticMonist
This theme is found in other world mythologies too. It is a justification for violence, and makes it seem like peace requires the use of violence.Their earthly suffering is inconsequential when compared to the spiritual gain. God is far more concerned about bringing us closer to him and less about our earthly comfort, even to the extreme that a violent and painful death isn't that big of a deal. — MysticMonist
To me, suffering is connected with free will. — Noble Dust
No, that's an underhanded way to say that peace requires violence, for suffering implies violence. That which causes suffering is violent. So peace doesn't require suffering in an absolute sense. In some circumstances suffering may be unavoidable though.But does peace require suffering? — Noble Dust
They way you describe human freedom sounds familiar, what theologian or philosopher is that? — MysticMonist
It is not to be shunned or ignored but is an invitation to greater self-renouncation (letting go of the desire for the lacking thing) and to be light or to reflect God's light in the darkness of that situation. — MysticMonist
Or is it the opposite that as the Torah says and as Jesus shows in the gospel narrative that He cares for each one of us, knowing us by name, and sees the subjective suffering in our hearts even over small things? — MysticMonist
I feel we are wired to be unhappy. — MysticMonist
If we can, then "mysterious ways" is fucked up. :) It can even be a contradiction. — Pacem
No, that's an underhanded way to say that peace requires violence, — Agustino
doesn't seem to the case to me that everyone is like that. I don't think everyone fixates on suffering. — Noble Dust
In Kabbalah, they teach the soul descends from perfection into suffering on purpose in order to reascend later in order to be united closer to God that pre-fall. You appreciate something more when it's gone sort of idea. Kabbalah is a lot harder to quote (or read). — MysticMonist
Because even in the deepest poverty, I still have the chance for virtue. — MysticMonist
That is the way of this world (of Satan). René Girard describes this as the victimage mechanism which resolves the conflictual crisis that arises in the community due to mimetic rivalry, and would otherwise lead to mutual destruction, by the unanimous and collective murder of a victim. The transference of collective violence on the victim is responsible for the unity and peace of the community. Both ritual and prohibitions - and hence the sacred - emerge out of this murder, which is at the foundation of society. And all of mythology is the work of Satan - a lie that covers the founding mechanism as necessary for order. The sacrifice is seen as necessary for peace, and hence the victim is seen as guilty and responsible for the chaos of the community.But peace almost always is a result of prior violence — Noble Dust
And all of mythology is the work of Satan - a lie that covers the founding mechanism as necessary for order. The sacrifice is seen as necessary for peace, and hence the victim is seen as guilty and responsible for the chaos of the community. — Agustino
This topic deserves its own thread. I'm new here so I'm not sure of group norms. I've made four threads in five days. Too many or go ahead a post another one?why not — Thorongil
If there is no satisfactory answer to this question does it disprove God? — MysticMonist
In classical theistic responses, such as Aquinas put forward, there is already no thing such "evil". — Pacem
About self-renunciation: I had an insight today from Plato's Republic where he says the virtue/justice is the path to happiness. [...] First, the joy from helping others would be deeper and longer lasting than sensual pleasure. Second, if I could live off a very austere lifestyle then I would become immune to the desire or worry of wealth. — MysticMonist
And actually I'd love to know where he wrote/said such a thing. — MountainDwarf
Can we call the infinitely many small random occurrences of the laws of nature that produced us, God?
Or rather should we? Or even, perceive it as an old man? — Frank Barroso
No, you're just redefining God to what it hasn't and doesn't normatively refer to. — Thorongil
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