Did you grow up with the belief that suffering and evil were our crosses to bear?

[Samina Moiyadi]

I used to believe it and I still do it sometimes when I want to sympathise with myself. But then I read books like 'Homo Sapiens' and watched 'Cosmos' and I realized I am as unimportant as an ant. In fact, she is doing more for the universe than I can possibly think. Suffering is just science doing its work.

[Esther-David]

I grew up in a Christian household. I was taught that suffering and evil are a result of mankind's Original Sin and the introduction of Satan into the world. I was also taught that Christians would go through extra suffering and trials (James) due to being a Christian, persecution, and tests from God. This has shaped a lot of what I believe today.

[Brooks Maine]

No, I did not grow up believing in all these things. I grew up believing something different

[Daniel Lyon]

No, I did not grow up believing in all these things. I grew up believing something different

That's interesting Brooks Maine. Would you like to tell us what you grew up believing? Perhaps it would be a good idea to share?

[Daniel Lyon]

Yes, I do believe that these things are our crosses to bear. They were brought upon us by our creator to test us. The devil has no power, and everything he has ever done has had to be approved by God. By these trials and tribulations, I believe we are meant to become stronger in the spirit after experiencing them.

[Ike Kass]

I also grew up in a catholic home. I was led to believe such things as well. I don’t h tho in I do anymore

[Julie Basil]

I grew up in a Catholic family. I was told that suffering and evil were our crosses to bear. We must accept these crosses as part of life. In other words:" What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." What are your thoughts on this way of thinking and does this make you doubt that God is a loving God? Personally, I need to believe both; that evil and suffering are our crosses to bear and that God is a loving God.

I appreciate your insights, Gerry. I agree with your line of thinking. I don’t believe God creates suffering, but he allows it because he gives us free will and does not force us to make good decisions. God is a loving God because he does not force us to do the right thing, he allows us to choose and even when we make poor decisions as individuals or as a society he can bring good out of difficult situations in unexpected ways.

[Magdalyne chebet]

I grew up believing that we carry our own crosses to God, seeking forgiveness. Suffering and challenges exist to strengthen our faith, and God will never give us trials beyond our abilities.

[Lene Lena]

Yes, growing up in a Catholic church, I was taught that suffering and evil are part of the human experience, often viewed as tests of faith or consequences of original sin. The idea is that trials can lead to spiritual growth and redemption, emphasizing the importance of perseverance because God cannot give you a burden you cannot carry. However, my perspective has changed, and I don't think evil and suffering are for us to bear.

[Priya Murugesan]

We think it is our karma. When we face good or bad, it is according to our karma. This ensures that we do good to have a good karma in this life and also our afterlife.

[Tukuna Sahu]

No, I didn't grow up with the belief that suffering and evil were our crosses to bear. But I believe suffering and evil are part of our life, like happiness and pleasure. The suffering will make people strong, as opposed to happiness, which will make people looser or immature.

[Pane Mehu]

My family's not really religious. Being an atheist myself, I don't believe in such philosophies.