Can we reconcile the existence of a merciful God with the problem of pain in the world?
Undoubtedly, the world is full of evil and misery. Look at the many wars, slave-raids, tortures, concentration camps, atomic attacks. Do they not show that man, without a sound moral basis is worse than a wild beast? The problems of pain and suffering seems to be rooted in creation itself. We find one species of animal or fish feeding on another. Think of the epidemics and plagues. Everything is subject to disease and decay. Earthquake are due to a ‘fault’ in the earth’s crust. These, in addition to the eruption of valcanoes, cause a great loss of human life and property. Some calamities like famine and floods can be prevented by human ingenuity. We do not blame God for them. On the other hand, the world contains many lovely things: sunshine, flowers and fruits. The picnic spots in the hills, the splendour of the sunrise and sunset show that this world is full of beauty. Farid said, “The world is a beautiful garden.” God’s purpose in creating the universe is to watch His play, to see h
