Why Bad Things Happen
How different religions view the reasons for undeserved human suffering.

By Ellen Leventry

For centuries people have been asking, "Why, God, why?" when disaster strikes. And for centuries, religion has been trying to answer the question of how a loving or just God could allow humans to endure such suffering. While Western traditions strive to teach that God's power and goodness are, indeed, compatible with the suffering of innocents, many Eastern faiths view undeserved suffering as a result of a cosmic law of moral cause and effect.

Read on to see what each of the five major world faiths has to say about why bad things happen to good people.

Buddhism
According to the first two Noble Truths of Buddhism all of life is suffering and suffering is caused by attachments to worldly things. This attachment, which can take the form of greed, hatred, and ignorance in this life and past lives, can, unless mitigated, return as more suffering (karma). According to the Dhammapada, "By oneself the evil is done, and it is oneself who suffers: by oneself the evil is not done, and by one's Self one becomes pure." Suffering caused by disasters is not necessarily punishment from a divine being, but rather something that must be transcended by not clinging to material objects or relationships. According to Lama Surya Das, bad things happen to good people "because there are myriad karmic causes conspiring to bring about any particular event, which then becomes cause for other effects to take place."

Christianity
The question of the unjustified suffering of the innocent is at the heart of Christianity, which holds that a sinless man (Jesus) suffered and died for the sins of humanity. Some Christians see in natural disasters God's punishment of sinful people or the world as a whole. Others see catastrophes as a way a loving God tests the faith and fortitude of survivors. According to St. Paul, Christians should rejoice in suffering because it produces endurance, hope and character (Romans 5:3-5). Still other Christians see innocents' suffering as evidence of the inscrutable will of a God who "works in mysterious ways" toward an ultimate but unknowable good. Some Christians offer no explanation but, like Job, seek to trust in God. In the past, Roman Catholic Christians were taught that they should "offer up" pain, with the idea that through faith, suffering that seems meaningless can be redeemed and transformed. Most Christians believe that innocents who die in natural disasters go to heaven. Some Christians believe the deceased must be a baptized, believing Christian to attain salvation.

The fourth-century saint Augustine says, "God would not allow any evil to exist unless out of it he could draw a greater good. This is part of the wisdom and goodness of God."

Hinduism
Many Hindus view suffering, including that caused by natural disasters, as punishment for misdeeds committed in this lifetime or past lives. Even a seemingly innocent person who has not eradicated bad karma from past lives through charitable deeds is susceptible to such payback. Individuals' suffering should be placed in the broader context of a cosmic cycle of birth, life, destruction and rebirth. Hindus believe victims will be reincarnated and may be happier in their next life.

Islam
The very word "Islam" means "submission." Many Muslims understand that to include suffering--enduring pain or loss is a way of submitting to the will of Allah. Some suffering is Satan's doing or is the work of his cohorts in the spirit world (the "jinn") and is allowed by Allah as a test of humility and faith. Many Muslims believe suffering and adversity strengthen one's faith, as pain often leads to repentance and prayer and good deeds. The Qur'an mentions many incidents of Allah using natural disasters as a way to maintain a balance of His natural laws or inflict a punishment on a population. Even the Prophet Muhammad appealed to Allah for protection against natural disasters. When the Prophet heard thunder and saw lightening, he said: "My Lord, do not kill us with Your wrath and do not send us to perdition by inflicting suffering on us. Spare us all that, our Lord."

Judaism
Sometimes it is believed that suffering is caused by a weakness in one's devotion to God. Generally, it is believed that God gave humans free will to feel pleasure and pain, and His purpose in allowing deep suffering of the innocent must be good even if mysterious. God suffers along with the sufferer. Many believe that God's sense of justice, and therefore the reasons for human suffering, are unknowable. To some Jews, knowing why God allows suffering is not as important as knowing that God will punish the perpetrators. All Jews place high importance on working to help those in need; the concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, will help allay undeserved suffering. Interestingly, suffering is the only issue listed in the Talmud that could lead a person to lose faith in God.

zK taped a piece at 12/31/2004 02:17:00 AM

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I am sick and tired of talking about religion. I am just gonna shut my mouth and live life my own way.

zK taped a piece at 12/29/2004 02:03:00 AM

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Tuesday, December 28, 2004

I wonder.. why am I always filled with hate til that I've totally forgotten about the opposition which is.. love. Love doesn't exist in the world of hate. In this world I live in. Its sadistic, vile and terrible. What do I get out of hate? Accomplishment? I have no idea. I am lost and confused. I am feeling as if as I am nothing. I am falling into this void of nothingness again. :
Maybe, its the past. I am the sort who broods about the past though.. I try not to. But how can you not forget about the past? The choices and actions you made which are the stones and rocks of your path which carpets you from the unknown? The mistakes, the agony, the suffering, the torture. All that which makes me what I am today.

Though.. still.. I am not certain of the real reason behind this phenomenon.

But to everyone who has fallen from my words and/or actions of hate, anger and bla bla. I am sorry.

zK taped a piece at 12/28/2004 02:16:00 AM

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Monday, December 27, 2004

read.. this.

zK taped a piece at 12/27/2004 04:10:00 PM

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Saturday, December 25, 2004

Probably you've seen those bulletins about Allah and Muslims on Friendster. But have you seen bulletins about Jesus or Buddha or in fact any other religions? Why? I know I haven't.

But if there are.. Why? Whats the purpose? To let others think about it? "Oh shit this is so true." And let them contemplate on his/her beliefs? Then let them ponder and convert? Bullshit.

Or simply to unearth a conflict between religions in such a hostile period with terrorism and shit going on? Ah yes on Friendster. Racial harmony? My foot. There will NEVER be unity between people of different religions, races or skin colour. You're always more comfortable with the ones which are "of" you than the ones which aren't. The root of 9/10 of conflicts has always been about religion. Jihad and bullshit. I have to say.. that the world is better off without religions. Screw the truth. You guys are afraid of something that is invisible? You guys fear to question his existence? If so.. why do you believe in it (God or Him) in the first place?

I am sorry. But I am just pissed about this whole mambo jambo. If I've offended you.. and you wouldn't want to be friends with me anymore.. then fuck off.

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And as for those who disbelieve and reject Our Signs, they are the people of Hell.
-The alleged Allah's words in the Quran, 5:11

The only reward of those, who wage war against ALLAH and HIS Messenger and strive to create disorder in the land, is that they be slain or crucified or their hands and feet be cut off on account of their enmity, or they be expelled from the land. That shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a great punishment.
-Allah's alleged words in the Quran, 5:34

Before him is Hell; and he shall be made to drink boiling water.
-The alleged Allah's words in the Quran, 14:17

And I will kill her children with death...
-The alleged Jesus in Rev. 2:23 KJV

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
-The alleged Jesus in Luke 19:27

...the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt...
-The author of Exodus describing the actions of the killer God in Ex. 12:29

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Oh yeah.. and you guys read the Quran and don't understand shit.

zK taped a piece at 12/25/2004 04:12:00 AM

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Thursday, December 23, 2004

MERRY CHRISTMASSSSSSS!

Eh havent yet ah. Angie I want cheesefruitcake ahhhhh!! got such a thing anot ah?

zK taped a piece at 12/23/2004 07:45:00 PM

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GET OVER IT!

zK taped a piece at 12/23/2004 11:45:00 AM

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Wednesday, December 22, 2004

nada.

zK taped a piece at 12/22/2004 04:45:00 PM

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am filled with hate.

zK taped a piece at 12/22/2004 02:48:00 AM

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Fear is just a 4 letter word."

Yes but it also has a meaning just like every other word. So? Fish is also a 4 letter word.

Ok I feel so crippled right now. It hurts when I want to stand up or sit. Or even walk. Hah.

Going jamming tomorrow as in.. band jamming. Its gonna suck. :D I can't play shit anymore. :D

zK taped a piece at 12/22/2004 02:20:00 AM

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Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Since every fucking body has started talking about 2005 let me list down my resolutions for the fucking new year.

Ok but firstly, 2004. HAHAHAHA! What a stupid year it has been for me. The most fucked up year ever in my 17 years of hell here on Mother Earth. But also it was the year which marks my new born passion .. Le Parkour. Its the coolest thing ever! So, thats the only thing that is the most prominent. Le Parkour. The only thing that almost dissolved my discipline of making music, which I still try to do day-to-day. And wih Le Parkour, I've met a lot of good people. I've met a lot of good people this year. Heh. BUt the year still sucked. I bet yours do too.

Well.. I don't really have any real resolution in mind. But I do have ONE.

TO NAIL THAT FUCKING "WALL" SPIN ON THAT FUCKING SLIDE IN THAT PLAYGROUND IN TAMPINES.

Well, thats what I am aiming for.

Sometimes I think.. what do I get out of doing that? Respect.. no. Recognition.. no. I just want to have the feel in doing that. Just for the sake of doing it. Why do you think people would risk their lives.. jumping from high platforms down onto solid concrete or even jump from building to building or flipping from high ground down to about 4 feet with chances of breaking your neck or your legs? Just pure passion.

Once you're caught up with the Flow, you'll never leave.

zK taped a piece at 12/21/2004 01:06:00 AM

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Friday, December 17, 2004

LAI LAI HEY!

zK taped a piece at 12/17/2004 01:52:00 AM

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Sunday, December 12, 2004

7 Deadly Sins

I am human. No doubt about that. But I tend to forget that. I tend to forget myself.. what I truly am. This is when I lose myself.

Sometimes I think highly of myself like I am better than everyone else. That I can do more.. with much more skill and precision.. with much more ease and finesse. Pride. And with that belief.. I just keep going.. and going.. more and more. Gluttony. Til I have everything I.. want. Greed. Even the women. Lust.

Jealousy intrudes.. Envy. I try not to affect others but sometimes.. the pain is just too intense. I have to vent out my anger, til the other feels the heat and sees the blaze that burns inside me that engulfs every single cell in my body until everything explodes, sending me into oblivion. Wrath.

And the consequence.. more hate. Its primitive. Its all instinct.

(though.. fire vs. water does work sometimes as opposed to fire vs. fire.)

but hey.. I am a Leo after all. All I do all day is just sitting and lazing around.. Sloth. thinking that I am the king of the world. I am in a way. I am the king of my world. You are the god of yours.

(and.. just don't try to piss me off)

I hide them. (most of the time) I conceal. I conceal them and let them decompose. Let them fade from this earth and dissolve in thin air. Its a process of self-understanding taken from a different perspective. This is when I, intrude.

zK taped a piece at 12/12/2004 02:29:00 AM

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Thursday, December 02, 2004

"reality is too much for me to handle at certain points in my life, thus i'd often seek solace in the comfort of self denial. sometimes i dream when i'm wide awake, but sometimes they get too nightmarish that i would force myself down to sleep to drown it all away in deep slumber."

-- Fa.

:)

zK taped a piece at 12/02/2004 11:04:00 PM

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Wednesday, December 01, 2004

I am tired of trying to get a life. Why not.. I get out of it instead?

zK taped a piece at 12/01/2004 02:09:00 AM

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