(June 28, 2015 at 7:35 am)Stimbo Wrote:(June 27, 2015 at 10:54 pm)Lek Wrote: Because I, and most likely you, have encountered many instances where it has resulted in good that otherwise wouldn't have been achieved. And you're right, I believe what the bible says about God. I believe that God can cause suffering that is good and I that people can cause suffering that is not good. Here on earth we do suffer the consequences of immoral behavior by ourselves and others, but all suffering isn't for that reason. If we're relying on scientific experimentation, I imagine we would find that some suffering is good and some not. Right?
Granted; but let's not get sidetracked, because that's not what you were advocating. You were assuming, a priori, that some suffering must be good for us, despite not being in a position to determine that. Relying on tradition, that we've experienced suffering which turned out good later on, is one thing - but now your cart is before your horse here. Essentially you're boiling it down to "I'm choking on a fish bone, but it'll be fine because up to now these things have turned out okay". One can hope that we grow as a result of suffering, of course we can; but it is incredibly dangerous to conclude that such suffering is fine because of that.
We see things from different perspectives and can't come to a mutual agreement on this issue because I believe in God and life after death, and you don't. I believe that much of the benefit we derive from suffering comes from making us into people who rely on God, thus bringing us closer to him. It also gives us the opportunity to show love to and to help one another.
