10-08-2009, 04:21 PM | #1 |
Assistant to the Regional Manager
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Orgasmatron
Posts: 24,338
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Age old problem of suffering
we get many answers regarding suffering and a lot of Mormon theology posits it's a necessary part of our progression.
Does anybody feel that a lot of those positing such a simple answer have themselves suffered very little? OTOH, bearing the burden of suffering in a positive manner isn't necessarily unhealthy, so long as we are patient with those who can't do it as easily.
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Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα Last edited by Archaea; 10-08-2009 at 04:26 PM. |
10-09-2009, 01:02 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: DC
Posts: 995
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That's an interesting point. Suffering is certainly part of the human experience, but it isn't doled out evenly. And in fact, how we handle any given hardship is probably quite unique. I do think that it can strengthen a person, but whether it's necessary for progression. . . I don't know. Would that mean that those who suffer more make more progress? And what of those who simply take some given hardship in stride, when others might struggle through the same thing? Is one progressing more for suffering more? Plus, we progress in a variety of ways.
I can see how the attitude you mention can seem a little glib. I think there are some who wind up with a really raw set of circumstances sometimes, and in those cases I wish there were a better explanation. |
10-09-2009, 07:53 PM | #3 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 95
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Quote:
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Tradition and Fundamentalism is more often the fear to see greater light and feel enlightenment. When that fear consumes us, we become pawns of a false religion with a false god. -Teresa Moreno Professor of Christian History and Ethics |
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10-09-2009, 08:02 PM | #4 | |
I must not tell lies
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,103
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God is omnipotent, which means he could have created a plan that would have been void of suffering.
However, God is also omniscient, which means he knows what is best. Additionally, he is bound to obey the laws of Godhood or he would cease to be God. The facts that (1) God is omnipotent, (2) omniscient, and (3) suffering exists within his umbrella, shows that suffering is a necessary experience. Joseph Smith said: Quote:
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10-09-2009, 08:05 PM | #5 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,365
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http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...rious_man.html
Yes, this is why you come here. To receive a pithy answer that answers (or rather proposes) everything you asked. |
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