!"#2 No. 2 2020

5 QuestionsAboutSuffering

ANSWERED

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At some point,everyone is affectedby tragedy—perhapsan illness, an accident,a natural disaster,or an act of violence.People search for answers.

˘ Some attribute suffering to fate or insome other way feel that we have littlecontrol over what happens to us.

˘ Others believe in karma. They saythat we suffer because of somethingbad that we did earlier in life or ina past life.

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Tragedy often leavespeople with more questionsthan answers.

1Is God to blamefor our suffering?���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

2Are we to blamefor our own suffering?���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3Why do good peoplesuffer?���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4Were we meantto suffer?���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

5Will sufferingever end?

WHAT SOMEBELIEVE

Hindusview suffering as a consequence of a per-son’s actions, committed in either this lifeor a past one. A person can reach moksha—a release from the cycle of rebirths—through achieving a state of mind that is de-tached from temporal things.

Muslimsview suffering as both apunishment for sin and a testof faith. Tragedies are a re-minder “to remain grateful toGod for all our blessings andcognizant that we must sup-port those in need,” saysDr. Sayyid Syeed, presidentof the Islamic Society ofNorth America.

Jewish traditionholds that suffering results from one’sown actions. Some Jews say that therewill be a resurrection, after which justicewill be rendered to the innocent whosuffered. Kabbalistic (mystical) Judaismteaches reincarnation, which gives aperson repeated opportunities to atonefor his errors.

Buddhistsbelieve that suffering is experiencedover many lifetimes, a cycle of rebirthsthat continue until a person’s negativeactions, emotions, and cravings cease.By means of wisdom, virtuous works,and mental discipline, a person canreach nirvana—a state in which allsuffering has ceased.

AWAKE! No. 2 2020 5

Confucianistsattribute most suffering to “human failureand error,” says A Dictionary of Compara-tive Religion. Confucian doctrine recogniz-es that while suffering can be reducedthrough virtuous living, much of it iscaused by “spiritual agencies beyondman’s control. In such cases, man muststoically accept the decrees of Fate.”

Some tribal religionsattribute suffering to witchcraft.According to these beliefs, witchescan bring good luck or disaster andtheir activities can be temperedthrough various rituals. Thus, therites and medicines of witch doctorsare believed to counteract the workof witches when a person suffersfrom illness.

Christianstrace suffering to the sin of the first twohumans, as described in the Bible bookof Genesis. However, many denomina-tions have embellished that teaching. Forexample, some Catholics say that per-sonal suffering can be ‘offered up to God’to request that he benefit the church orthat he apply that suffering toward thesalvation of someone else.

LEARNMORE

Watch the videoDoes God Accept All Formsof Worship? on jw.org.

AWAKE! No. 2 20206

1 IS GODTO BLAMEFOR OUR SUFFERING?

Why It MattersMany people reject God becausethey blame him for suffering.

ToThink AboutDirectly or indirectly, many religiousleaders have taught that God is thecause of our suffering. For example,some say the following:

˘ Natural disasters are punishmentfrom God.

˘ Children die because God needsmore angels in heaven.

˘ God takes sides in wars—a causeof great suffering.

But is it possible that religiousleaders have misrepresented God?What if God has rejected them?

LEARNMORE

Watch the videoWhy Study the Bible?on jw.org.

AWAKE! No. 2 2020 7

Is God to blame forour suffering?Suppose a father raises his childrenand provides well for them. Later, one sonrebels, moves out of the home, and choos-es a self-destructive lifestyle. Would thefather be responsible for his son’s con-duct? Could the son blame his father fornegative consequences that he experienc-es? In a similar way, we cannot blame Godfor our suffering.

But does this mean thatwe are to blame for it?

See question 2.

What the Bible Says

God does not causeour suffering.If he did so, it would be contrary tohis qualities as revealed in the Bible.For example:

“All [God’s] ways are justice. . . . Righteousand upright is he.”—DEUTERONOMY 32:4.

“It is unthinkable for the true Godto act wickedly, for the Almightyto do wrong!”—JOB 34:10.

“The Almighty does not pervertjustice.”—JOB 34:12.

God rejects religion thatmisrepresents him.This includes religions that teachthat God causes our suffering andthose that are involved with warfareand violence.

“The prophets are prophesying lies inmy [God’s] name. I have not sent themor commanded them or spoken to them.A lying vision and . . . the deceit of theirown heart is what they are prophesyingto you.”—JEREMIAH 14:14.

Jesus denounced religioushypocrisy.

“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens,but only the one doing the will of my Fatherwho is in the heavens will. Many will sayto me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we notprophesy in your name, and expel demonsin your name, and perform many powerfulworks in your name?’ And then I will declareto them: ‘I never knew you! Get away fromme, you workers of lawlessness!’ ”—MATTHEW 7:21-23.

AWAKE! No. 2 20208

2 ARE WE TO BLAME FOROUR OWN SUFFERING?

Why It MattersIf the answer is yes, then it may bein our power to reduce suffering.

LEARNMORE

Watch the videoWhy Did GodCreate the Earth?on jw.org.

ToThink AboutTo what extent are humans responsiblefor the following causes of suffering?

Abuse.The World Health Organization (WHO)estimates that 1 out of 4 adultssuffered physical abuse at some pointduring childhood and that 1 out of 3women experience physical or sexualassault (or both) at some pointin their life.

Bereavement.“An estimated 477,000 murders oc-curred globally in 2016,” statesthe World Health Statistics 2018,published by WHO. This is in additionto the 180,000 people thought to havebeen killed in wars and conflicts thatyear.

Health Problems.In an article published in the NationalGeographic magazine, writer Fran Smithnotes: “More than a billion people smoke,and tobacco is implicated in the top fivecauses of death: heart disease, stroke,respiratory infections, chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, and lung cancer.”

Social Inequality.“Poverty, relative inequality, being subjectto racism, sexism, displacement anda competitive culture all increase thelikelihood of mental suffering,” commentspsychologist Jay Watts.

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Are we to blame for our own suffering?The Bible says: “Whatever a person is sowing, this he will alsoreap.” (Galatians 6:7) Some suffering is brought on by our ownchoices. That is why doctors encourage people to eat nutritiousfood, get exercise, and avoid harmful practices such as smoking.Still, it would be simplistic to say that all suffering is man-made.Many people are innocent victims of accidents, disasters, and oth-er tragedies.

Why do goodpeople suffer?

See question 3.

What the Bible Says

Humans bear a heavyresponsibility for suffering.Much of it has been caused byoppressive governments that havemade life hard for the very peoplethey claim to serve.

“Man has dominated man to his harm.”—ECCLESIASTES 8:9.

Suffering can be reduced.Bible principles promote better healthand peaceful relationships with others.

“A calm heart gives life to the body,but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.”—PROVERBS 14:30.

“Put away from yourselves every kindof malicious bitterness, anger, wrath,screaming, and abusive speech, as wellas everything injurious.”—EPHESIANS 4:31.

AWAKE! No. 2 202010

3 WHY DO GOOD PEOPLESUFFER?

Why It MattersThe fact that good people suffergoes against our sense of justice.It also suggests that there is littlepoint in being good.

LEARNMORE

Watch the videoWhy Does God AllowSuffering? on jw.org.

ToThink AboutSome people believe that humans experiencea cycle of death and rebirth. They say thatthose who committed good deeds are reborninto favorable circumstances, whereas thosewho committed bad deeds are reborn into alife of hardship. According to that belief, evena good person can suffer if he committed baddeeds in a “past life.” However . . .

˘ What purpose would such suffering serve,since the person supposedly reborn doesnot even recall his past life?

˘ Why do we work hard to stay healthyand avoid accidents if our well-beingis largely determined by what we did ina past life?

AWAKE! No. 2 2020 11

Why do good people suffer?Much of our suffering resultsfrom our sinful nature, which bothgood and bad people have inherited.That sinful nature contributes tophysical and mental disorders aswell as traits that cause peopleto harm one another.

Is this what God intended?Were we meant to suffer?

See question 4.

What the Bible Says

Suffering is not punishmentfrom God.On the contrary, much of it is random—often, a matter of someone being inthe wrong place at the wrong time.

“The swift do not always win the race,nor do the mighty win the battle, nor dothe wise always have the food, nor dothe intelligent always have the riches,nor do those with knowledge always havesuccess, because time and unexpectedevents overtake them all.”—ECCLESIASTES 9:11.

Our sinful nature contributesto suffering.People often use the word “sin” torefer to a bad act that someone commits.However, the Bible also uses it to de-scribe a condition that all humans—good and bad—have inherited.

“I was born guilty of error, and sinfulfrom the moment my mother conceived me.”—PSALM 51:5, Footnote.

Sin has had a devastating effecton humans.It has not only damaged our relationshipwith our Creator but also put us out ofharmony with the rest of God’s creation.That has resulted in enormous suffering,both to individuals and to the humanrace as a whole.

“When I wish to do what is right, what is badis present with me.”—ROMANS 7:21.

“All creation keeps on groaning togetherand being in pain together.”—ROMANS 8:22.

AWAKE! No. 2 202012

4 WERE WE MEANTTO SUFFER?

Why It MattersThe answer to this questionaffects our outlook on life.

LEARNMORE

Watch the videoHow Can We Be Surethe Bible Is True?on jw.org.

ToThink AboutDoes it make sense that the God whocreated such beauty in the world wouldconsign us to a life of suffering?

Secular-minded people view suffering as areason to question God’s motives—oreven his existence. They believe thatsuffering shows that either (1) God ispowerless to stop it, (2) God does notcare to stop it, or (3) God does not exist.

Are those really the only options?

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Were we meant to suffer?No. Suffering was never part of God’spurpose for humans. Suffering beganwhen the first two humans chosea course of independence. But thisdoes not mean that the human raceis doomed to a cycle of endlesssuffering.

Will our suffering ever end?

See question 5.

What the Bible Says

God did not create us to suffer.He wants us to enjoy life.

“There is nothing better for [people] than torejoice and to do good during their life, alsothat everyone should eat and drink and findenjoyment for all his hard work. It is the giftof God.”—ECCLESIASTES 3:12, 13.

God gave the first two humansa perfect start.He did not mean for them—or theirdescendants—to suffer.

“God said to them: ‘Be fruitful andbecome many, fill the earth andsubdue it.’”—GENESIS 1:28.

The first two humans choseindependence from God.As a result, they brought muchsuffering on themselves and alltheir descendants.

“Through one man sin entered into theworld and death through sin, and sodeath spread to all men because theyhad all sinned.”—ROMANS 5:12.�

� In the Bible, the word “sin” refers not onlyto wrong acts but also to a condition that allhumans have inherited.

God did not create us to liveindependent of his guidance.We were no more created to rule ourselvesthan to live under water.

“It does not belong to man who is walkingeven to direct his step.”—JEREMIAH 10:23.

God does not want us to suffer.He wants us to live in a way that, to theextent possible, we avoid problems.

“If only you would pay attention to mycommandments! Then your peace wouldbecome just like a river.”—ISAIAH 48:18.

AWAKE! No. 2 202014

5 WILL SUFFERINGEVER END?

Why It MattersIf there is reason to believe that sufferingwill end, such a hope could improve ourview of life and even our view of God.

LEARNMORE

Watch the videoWhat Is God’sKingdom? availableon jw.org.

ToThink AboutMany people would like to eliminatesuffering, but they are limited in theirability to do much about it. Note thefollowing:

Despite advances in medicine . . .

˘ Heart disease remains the largestcause of death.

˘ Cancer kills millions each year.

˘ “The world continues tobe confronted by longstanding,emerging, and reemerginginfectious disease threats,”writes Dr. David Bloom in thejournal Frontiers in Immunology.

Despite material prosperityin some lands . . .

˘ Each year, millions of children die,and those living in impoverished areasare the most likely to be affected.

˘ Billions of people live without accessto adequate sanitation.

˘ Hundreds of millions have no accessto safe water.

Despite increased awarenessof human rights . . .

˘ Human trafficking continues in manylands, and countries that have notprosecuted any offenders are “blind tothe problem, or they are ill-equippedto deal with it,” says a United Nationsreport.

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Will Suffering Ever End?Yes, but not by human efforts.Man’s governments can only addressthe symptoms of our suffering,but God can address the causes.By means of his Kingdom, he willdo so.

What the Bible Says

God cares about us.He is not indifferent to our painand sorrow.

“[God] has not despised nor loathedthe suffering of the oppressed one;he has not hidden his face from him.When he cried to him for help, he heard.”—PSALM 22:24.

“Throw all your anxiety on him, becausehe cares for you.”—1 PETER 5:7.

Suffering will not continueindefinitely.The Bible promises that God’s purpose forus will be realized.

“God . . . will wipe out every tear from theireyes, and death will be no more, neitherwill mourning nor outcry nor pain beanymore.”—REVELATION 21:3, 4.

God will address the causesof human suffering.He will do this by means of his Kingdom,which the Bible describes as a realgovernment.

“The God of heaven will set up a kingdomthat will never be destroyed. And thiskingdom will not be passed on to anyother people. . . . It alone will standforever.”—DANIEL 2:44.

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