God Doesn’t Care

If God exists, why does He let so many bad things happen?

Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash

Look around.

What do you see? Blue skies? Green grass? Kittens playing? Children laughing?

Or do you see, hear and feel the hatred, violence, intolerance, cruelty, and greed that happens every day, everywhere, every way?

War. Poverty. Grief. Subjugation. Shootings. Defamation. Genocide. Abuses of every horrifying kind. Neglect. Bullying. Shaming.

Our news is filled with anger and outrage, and I hear the same question asked again and again.

“Why does God let such terrible things happen?” and “If God really exists, why doesn’t He stop all this?”

Freedom and Choice

If you tell someone to do something they don’t want to do, even if it’s good for them, the first thing they are likely going to do is list all the reasons they can think of not to do it. They are bound to mention the fact that they have the freedom to choose, and they would be right. Whether or not the choice is a good or bad one, right or wrong, beneficial or costly is rarely debated.

Though it probably should be.

If our choices are the foundation upon which our lives are built and shape our future, shouldn’t we logically want to make the best possible decisions? Why choose something that is bound to hurt us or cause problems? Why decide to do something that can destroy everything we’ve worked for when there are other, more beneficial options?

The Thou Shalt and Shalt Nots

Whether you follow the theology of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Taoism, Judaism, or any other -ism, the Guiding Principals or Commandments are very similar. Don’t Kill. Don’t Lie, Cheat, or Steal. Respect your parents. Honor your spouse. Love your God.

And why not? Do any of these commandments or guiding principles create chaos or calamity, or are they beneficial? Will we be harmed if we abide by them or are we more likely to end up hurt in some way if we don’t?