Actor Stephen Fry was asked what he might say to God at the gates of heaven. He replied, "I'd say , bone cancer in children? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault? It's not right.It's utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world that is so full of injustice and pain?" (quoted from Economic Times, May 11th).
Thirukkural says in chapter 107, stanza 2: "If God has ordained that someone should beg for his living, let Him not exist."
Both Fry and Thiruvalluvar are not atheists, otherwise they would not refer to God. So, any theist will be pained by existence of pervasive and inexplicable injustice. Since God by definition is all-knowing and all-powerful,we expect that He would not let anybody suffer without reason. But in many cases, we are unable to find the reason. This dilemma can be solved in one of two ways. One, we may turn atheistic. Two, we may accept there are reasons unknown to us.
Since most of us would like to retain our faith in God, the second option needs to be explored. If a child is born physically challenged, we may rationalise it saying that it is a consequence of bad deeds in an earlier birth. This leads us to believe in rebirths. If we have faith in God and are puzzled by apparent injustice, the missing element that solves the puzzle is 'rebirth'.
It is therefore reasonable to conclude that 1)faith in God, 2)expectation of justice and 3)disbelief in rebirth cannot all of them exist together simultaneously.
Thirukkural says in chapter 107, stanza 2: "If God has ordained that someone should beg for his living, let Him not exist."
Both Fry and Thiruvalluvar are not atheists, otherwise they would not refer to God. So, any theist will be pained by existence of pervasive and inexplicable injustice. Since God by definition is all-knowing and all-powerful,we expect that He would not let anybody suffer without reason. But in many cases, we are unable to find the reason. This dilemma can be solved in one of two ways. One, we may turn atheistic. Two, we may accept there are reasons unknown to us.
Since most of us would like to retain our faith in God, the second option needs to be explored. If a child is born physically challenged, we may rationalise it saying that it is a consequence of bad deeds in an earlier birth. This leads us to believe in rebirths. If we have faith in God and are puzzled by apparent injustice, the missing element that solves the puzzle is 'rebirth'.
It is therefore reasonable to conclude that 1)faith in God, 2)expectation of justice and 3)disbelief in rebirth cannot all of them exist together simultaneously.
3 comments:
That's why Mukti is considered as a state where there is no further births. Wise men feared birth and not death.
That's why Mukti is considered as a state where there is no further births. Wise men feared birth and not death.
Yes.
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