Another "Problem of Evil" Question.

[_Jason Bourne]

You're right. Prevent is not the right word. However, we can seriously lessen the risk, if we follow some simple guidelines.

1. Don't smoke. If you do smoke, stop. Avoid second hand smoke. Support Clean Indoor Air legislation.

2. Eat a healthy diet.

3. Exercise.

4. Limit alcohol.

Your ethnicity and your genetics may contributes to a higher risk.

Mormons do well on 1 and 4, but fail as much as the rest of the population on 2 and 3.

We've made great strides, and there's no reason to not celebrate those accomplishments, but this is no time to sit on our laurels. We can and probably should pray for a cure, but prayer isn't going to make it happen. Research is. And funding for research is always a political nightmare.

I agree with all of this. And for this reason I have spent time and been able to raise over $30,000 over the past five years for a cancer organization I actively support that is active in research grants as well as efforts to increase funding of such research and advocacy programs for those with cancer.

[_harmony]

I agree with all of this. And for this reason I have spent time and been able to raise over $30,000 over the past five years for a cancer organization I actively support that is active in research grants as well as efforts to increase funding of such research and advocacy programs for those with cancer.

Thanks, Jason. I work for them. Without volunteers like you, we don't succeed. When the days get long and the numbers pile up, it's knowing we're making a difference that keeps me putting one foot in front of the other.

I always was a crusader, and the cause is just.

[_krose]

Ray, this is a thought provoking topic and one that challenges my faith in God more than anything. The only answer I have is if there is a God he never promised us a life of ease. In fact my personal view is he planned it to be really hard and the challenges are what will bring us to the next level of existence after this life.

You are correct that this is the biggest obstacle to belief in a higher power that actually cares about people and helps them out.

The very best explanation for this world and the things that happen in it is that there is no plan, no divine guidance or intervention. How else do we explain the hit-and-miss nature of suffering? You can't just say that life is inherently painful, because many of us skate through life without significant hardship or suffering, while others can't seem to buy a break.

The best answer I see is just that 'crap happens.' There is no grand plan, no 'reason for everything' that happens. If there is, it certainly is not apparent. I can't imagine any good explanation for why one child is born as a pampered trust-fund baby, while another is born into a situation where she is raped, mutilated and tortured.

[_harmony]

Ray, this is a thought provoking topic and one that challenges my faith in God more than anything. The only answer I have is if there is a God he never promised us a life of ease. In fact my personal view is he planned it to be really hard and the challenges are what will bring us to the next level of existence after this life.

You are correct that this is the biggest obstacle to belief in a higher power that actually cares about people and helps them out.

The very best explanation for this world and the things that happen in it is that there is no plan, no divine guidance or intervention. How else do we explain the hit-and-miss nature of suffering? You can't just say that life is inherently painful, because many of us skate through life without significant hardship or suffering, while others can't seem to buy a break.

The best answer I see is just that 'crap happens.' There is no grand plan, no 'reason for everything' that happens. If there is, it certainly is not apparent. I can't imagine any good explanation for why one child is born as a pampered trust-fund baby, while another is born into a situation where she is raped, mutilated and tortured.

Why should anyone be sheltered from the hazard of life? Not even the rich are immune from disease. Were that so, the rich would die of old age, instead of extremely painful cancers (example: Patrick Swayze is my age, and has a very limited time left).

If we really believe that a living an honorable life is what's most important (not being rich, living to an old old age, or having material possessions), then it doesn't matter what the circumstances of our birth. We live honorably, and then we die.

Some of the happiness, most content, most honest people I know live below the poverty line. Some of the unhappiest, meanest, most dishonest people I know live in the big house on the hill.

Yes, bad stuff happens to good people... and bad people too. It's not what happens to you that matters; it's what you do with it that matters.

[Guest]

..what would be so difficult about God taking a few seconds to reveal a cure for cancer to a medical researcher? We've found cures for lots of other diseases, like polio, TB, and we can now even do heart and lung transplants. Has any of this progress come because of "revelation from God", or just human insight? If the former, then why the divine delay in a cure for cancer?

Is it any wonder that some have said that "the problem of evil" is God's biggest credibility problem?

Ray,

I think this is the problem (from a Book of Mormon point of view):

15 And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard.
16 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, and also the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor. And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Behold, look here; behold the tree.

(Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:15 - 16)

A few verses previous we learn a little more about the Lord of the vineyard:

11 And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing.
12 Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, and nourish it, according to my words.

(Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:11 - 12)

Perhaps the problem with Diety, in general, is that they are a hands-off group, distracted by whatever else they do when they're not bossing around their servants. They show up occasionally, either laying waste to a city that veered off course or to heal the sick, then they go on holidays for a few thousand years and wonder why everything is so buggered up when they pop in on a whim.

Maybe they've been Gods for so long they have lost their empathy for their embryos - forgetting what uncertainty and inhumanity feels like. Shame on them for the inconsistancies in their love, empathy and instruction (if they really have any to give).

And yeah, eventually humans will most likely figure out how to cure cancer, addictions and even evil without their help. I figure goodness would come about a lot sooner the less people depend on Them for help and do it themselves.

[_harmony]

I figure goodness would come about a lot sooner the less people depend on Them for help and do it themselves.

I figure goodness would come about alot sooner if people would stop being greedy, dishonest, covetous, arrogant, ethnocentric, and stupid.

Just saying.

[Guest]

I figure goodness would come about alot sooner if people would stop being greedy, dishonest, covetous, arrogant, ethnocentric, and stupid.

I see it differently, people are basically good. In my line of work I meet a lot of people from all walks of life. I don't think most even remotely fit your description.

That being said, my peace has been violated by a significant number of the unkind people you speak of over the years. But still, they are few and far between.

Mormonism would want its members to believe that the great unwashed are overcome by all the attributes you've mentioned. That people are literally just no damned good until they are guided by the constant companionship of the Mormon holy ghost.

Additionally, what many of us have been taught is the big lie that one person cannot possibly make a difference in making the world a better place. So many people hunker down and live within a very small scope blessing just those immediately around them. But they are still basically good people.

1 O THAT I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart.. 2 ..that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 29:1 - 3)

- The sin of wishing to do more for mankind. What a concept.

Yet, Mormons are driven by guilt for underachieving in their majoring in minor things.

[_Ray A]

When I have some more time I may do a post on Soren Kierkegaard, along the lines of this subject. Some will consider his philosophy "crazy", but I have always found him thought-provoking, and sometimes even irritating.

[_Seven]

This has been the most challenging issue for me as a believer.

Most Mormons believe God intervenes on a daily basis in their lives while millions of children are starving, abused, neglected, orphaned, etc. Why doesn't He answer the prayer of a parent who is searching to save their kidnapped child who is about to be tortured and murdered? Why does He allow horrible atrocities to take place everyday while answering the prayers of TBM "Sister Jones" who needs direction on where to move? I know many Mormons who believe God is blessing them with their big fancy homes, or whatever good fortune they enjoy because they pay tithing.

At a recent get together with Mormons, I was telling a story of how I lost my child's winter coat and this woman responded "Did you pray about it?"
For a few seconds I thought she was making a joke about the "lost keys" stories and I started laughing and nodding my head in agreement. (after reading these boards for so long it's easy to forget the mentality of Chapel Mos)
She then tells me several stories of people who lost various items and found them after praying and testified "prayer works."
Like it's some kind of medication you take.

The only peace I have found on this issue is to believe in a non intervening God who uses this suffering on earth to refine our characters, and bring us closer to understanding the purpose of the atonement. The people who are able to forgive these atrocities truly have charity, the perfect love of Christ.

Ether Chapter 12 verse 34:

And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.

That's the only sense I can make of it.

[_Yoda]

It's not what happens to you that matters; it's what you do with it that matters.

This is one of the truest statements I've heard in a long time.