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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.

Well, the concept of evil is a controversial topic of discussion. infinitely perfect means God is whole and can even use the path of suffering to redeem us. We must also separate evil from suffering. Evil is Evil and Suffering is Suffering and can be redemptive

Gerry Steen wrote: ↑10 Oct 2024, 11:55 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.

More so, thanks for the articulate thought.

I didn’t grow up with this kind of belief, as my family didn’t strictly adhere to Catholic traditions. In the past, things related to the Bible seemed gloomy, serious, and even somewhat frightening. Recently, I’ve stopped reading such texts literally, and they no longer feel as gloomy. In this sense, the book offers a new perspective on how to read biblical texts, which is something new and interesting for me. The topic of pain still feels quite heavy. I agree that pain can make us stronger and more loving. However, it’s difficult to see pain as a privileged burden in the name of love. I wish there were an easier, less painful ways.

I didn't grow up with the belief that suffering and evil were our crosses to bear. Most suffering can and should be avoided. Over the centuries, humans have worked tirelessly to create conveniences that minimize suffering. It is societies that innovate and strive for excellence that are the most advanced. While some suffering like natural disasters are unavoidable, people should strive to live life devoid of suffering.

No, I didn't. I always just believed that life is a beautiful thing and do your best time make a good life for yourself. The bible however tried to convince be other wise but I didn't believe it

I was raised in a Christian home, and yes, we were taught that suffering and evil were our cross to bear. Suffering and evil were to keep your humble before God and teach you the benefit of prayers.

My belief growing up was that we only suffer when we refuse to confess out sins and completely turn to God.

I understand your perspective and the idea of balancing the existence of suffering with the belief in a loving God. I grew up with similar teachings, where suffering was seen as a path to growth and resilience. While it's challenging, I don't see it as contradicting the idea of a loving God. Rather, I view it as part of the complexity of life—where struggles can foster strength and compassion, while God’s love offers guidance and support through those hardships. It’s possible to hold both beliefs without one undermining the other.

I grew up believing that no soul is burdened with more than it's capacity, so I agree with the fact that the suffering we endure only makes us stronger. I like to compare the parable of God's love to a mother's love. In many instances in life, a child feels like they're suffering or that things are unfair to them, whereas the mother's intention, through her experience and higher understanding, is only for her child to evolve and prosper through the difficulties that he has to endure.

No, I never believed in suffering. I have this mantra, there is no reward for suffering. If given a choice always choose the good life. I don't believe in that saying good things don't come easy.

I wasn't brought up to believe that sufferings and evil are our crosses to carry. I'm an atheist I believe all sufferings can be avoided.

Suffering is something we are going to find in our paths, and not accepting that can lead to frustration. However, that doesn't mean that we need to accept every single suffering and allow others to make us suffer.
I was raised as well in a catholic environment and never accepted the "it's God's plan so we may accept it". I want to believe that, for example, if God made me able to fight against an injustice, then maybe His will is that it doesn't happen.

The Catholic Church I was brought up in doesn't always preach to accept as it is but to pray for evading away from them. It is a widespread belief that not having faith will always attract evil and suffering so preachings are always about faith and praying for safety. If we look closely into the reason for suffering, it most likely always turn up as man made. I think as long as the suffering one is willing to accept it, evildoers will always be expanding their reach. If not accepting evil and suffering is going to save not only ourselves but also a fellow human, why not pray for the will to fight against it instead of praying for acceptance?

Yes! According to my growing up, I will say suffering is our cross to bear. Life is a mixture of suffering and sweetness. What I see as the justification of the fact that God is a loving God is how he will always make a way for us to escape the problem. Life is still benevolent.