Comparative Paths to God Part 5: Why Does Evil Exist? Six Sacred Books, Six Perspectives on Suffering

 

Comparative Paths to God

Part 5: Why Does Evil Exist? Six Sacred Books, Six Perspectives on Suffering

"Every person eventually asks the same difficult questions. Why is there suffering? Why do innocent people become sick? Why do disasters occur? Why do human beings hurt one another? Every sacred tradition attempts to answer these questions, yet the answers often differ in profound ways."

---

The Universal Question

No philosophy or religion can avoid the problem of evil.

Whether one believes in one God, many gods, universal law, or conscious evolution, suffering remains one of life's greatest mysteries.

Some traditions see evil as rebellion.

Others see it as ignorance.

Others describe it as the misuse of freedom.

Still others emphasize imbalance or separation from ultimate reality.

Let us examine how each of our six books approaches this timeless question.

---

The Bible (New World Translation)

The Bible presents evil as entering human history through disobedience to God.

Rather than creating evil, God creates beings with genuine freedom.

That freedom includes the possibility of choosing against God's will.

Throughout Scripture, suffering has many causes:

• Human wrongdoing
• The actions of others
• Natural events
• Personal choices
• Living in a world affected by sin

Yet the Bible consistently points toward hope.

Its final vision is not endless suffering but restoration—a renewed creation in which death, pain, and mourning are overcome.

Key themes

• Moral responsibility
• Human freedom
• Hope of restoration
• Justice
• Mercy

---

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon places strong emphasis on opposition.

One of its recurring ideas is that meaningful choice requires genuine alternatives.

Without the possibility of sorrow, joy cannot be fully appreciated.

Without temptation, righteousness would not involve free commitment.

This does not celebrate suffering, but it presents earthly life as a place where moral decisions matter.

Trials become opportunities for growth and faith.

Key themes

• Agency
• Opposition
• Spiritual testing
• Hope through Christ
• Endurance

---

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is

The Bhagavad-gītā approaches suffering from another direction.

It teaches that much human suffering arises from attachment, desire, and ignorance of our true spiritual nature.

When people identify completely with temporary possessions, status, or even the physical body, disappointment inevitably follows.

Krishna encourages Arjuna to perform his duty with wisdom and devotion, acting without becoming attached to the results.

The goal is not indifference to others but freedom from destructive attachment while cultivating compassion and devotion.

Key themes

• Attachment
• Karma
• Ignorance
• Devotion
• Spiritual wisdom

---

The Urantia Book

The Urantia Book portrays evil primarily as the result of imperfect choices made by free beings in an evolving universe.

It distinguishes between ideas such as error, wrongdoing, and persistent rebellion, suggesting that not all suffering has the same source.

Growth occurs within a world that is still developing.

Difficulties become opportunities for character, wisdom, and spiritual maturity.

Rather than asking why life contains struggle, the Urantia Book often asks how struggle can contribute to growth.

Key themes

• Free will
• Spiritual development
• Moral growth
• Evolving creation
• Divine guidance

---

Song of God

Song of God often shifts attention from punishment toward transformation.

Rather than asking merely why evil exists, it asks:

What can suffering produce?

Its emphasis falls upon empathy.

Pain, while never desirable in itself, can deepen compassion, wisdom, humility, and understanding.

The focus is less on assigning blame and more on how individuals respond to adversity.

The journey of the soul is shaped not only by joy but also by how one meets suffering with courage and love.

Key themes

• Soul development
• Empathy
• Inner transformation
• Spiritual maturity
• Purpose through adversity

---

The Universal One

Walter Russell approaches the subject through universal principles rather than moral categories alone.

He frequently writes about balance and imbalance.

Many forms of suffering arise when individuals or societies live out of harmony with the rhythms and laws of nature.

Ignorance of universal principles creates unnecessary conflict.

Harmony brings greater order.

Instead of focusing on evil as an independent force, Russell emphasizes understanding and alignment with the deeper patterns of reality.

Key themes

• Universal law
• Balance
• Rhythm
• Harmony
• Knowledge

---

Comparing the Six Perspectives

Book	Primary Explanation for Suffering
Bible	Human rebellion, the misuse of freedom, and life in a fallen world
Book of Mormon	Agency and opposition allow meaningful moral choice and spiritual growth
Bhagavad-gītā	Attachment, ignorance, and the effects of karma
Urantia Book	Imperfect choices in an evolving universe with genuine freedom
Song of God	Opportunities for soul development and empathy
Universal One	Living out of harmony with universal law and balance

---

What They Share

Although these books explain suffering differently, they share several important ideas.

None presents suffering as the ultimate goal of existence.

Each points toward some form of hope:

• reconciliation,
• liberation,
• spiritual growth,
• restoration,
• awakening,
• or greater harmony.

Each encourages readers not merely to endure suffering but to respond in ways that cultivate wisdom, compassion, and integrity.

---

A Personal Reflection

One of the most important lessons I have learned from studying these books is that they invite us to ask a different question.

Instead of asking only:

"Why did this happen?"

They also encourage us to ask:

"Who will I become because of it?"

That question does not erase pain or provide simple answers. Rather, it shifts our attention toward the possibility that even in difficult circumstances, our choices, our character, and our compassion continue to matter.

---

Coming Next

Part 6 – What Happens After Death?

Perhaps no question has inspired more hope, fear, and reflection than this one.

Do we experience a resurrection?

Does the soul continue?

Is there reincarnation?

Can personality survive death?

How do these six sacred works describe humanity's destiny beyond the grave?

In the next chapter, we will compare their visions of life after death and the future they hold before humanity.