Why do bad things happen to good people?

[Rasputin]

Why do bad things happen to good people? That is the age-old question. What are some of the answers people give?

- God is trying to teach us something. - God is getting back at us for something we did or did not do. - There is no God and things just happen. - The list goes on and on.

The truth is that many of those bad things did not have to happen. If that is so, who is the cause? Let us clear up one thing first.

God is not to blame.

In Acts 10:38 it says God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power and went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.
In John 10:10 it states that the thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The two verses above indicate that there are two forces at work. God is the good one and the devil (Satan) is the bad one. You need to remember that.
So, how do you get in on God's blessings and avoid Satan's attacks?
The first thing you need to do is to become a Christian.

This does not mean just going to church and being a good person. That is not what makes you a Christian. You need to believe, accept and confess Jesus as your personal Savior.

Then you need to read your Bible to become as close to God as possible. You need to realize that God is not just force out there; he is a spirit person that you can become near to.

He wants you to talk to Him and He wants to talk with you. That is what prayer is.

When you read the Bible you will begin to learn God's way of doing things. When you start actually doing things God's way, you will become blessed.

Hebrews 11:6 says - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Deuteronomy 30:19 states - I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

The entire 91st Psalm talks about the safety provided to those that abide in Him.

God does protect and reward people, but it doesn't come automatically. God will tell you things to do, places to go, what to say.

When you follow his directions it will work toward your safety.

God has given us everything we need to live safely, so when something bad happens look inward to what you may need to change, but never blame God.

What you think about this question ?

[sooz]

You can also ask... why do good things happen to bad people?

Not much of the explanation above applies, does it?

[indian_blues]

Bad things happen becoz we expect bad things to happen.

[mike435]

well if you belive in a all knowing all seeing and just g-d than nothing bad or good happens it is soly a just act

and if you belive in an afterlife
than maybe what you see as "bad" is acctualy good, this way the persons sins souls or whatever is being cleansed or readied for the world to come.
it could be that the person's soul is here in this world again
and needs to be perpared or is not complete yet

[indian_blues]

which religion interpretation is that mike?

[mike435]

which religion interpretation is that mike?

jewish

[maryam9]

heres something that was forwarded onto me -
its kinda related to this thread
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Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mum, I love your cake"

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.

"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mum!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mum, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

[donsaeid]

jewish

but jewish beliefe says also if a person does a sin their family in 7 generation will be punished for that!

[sooz]

but jewish beliefe says also if a person does a sin their family in 7 generation will be punished for that!

If there is a God, isn't he supposed to be loving and caring? Punish 7 generations down? Nah... I don't think so.

I don't believe that if there is a God, the he directs your life. You direct your life. You make the choices. And sometimes other people make choices that hurt you. Sometimes you get sick because you get sick. No hidden meaning or agenda. Just genetics, environment and other factors.

Great book: When Bad Things Happen To Good People by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner. One of the best books I've ever read on the subject. It's a somewhat more logical than emotive view, but it makes sense to me... more than the idea that a loving, caring God would deliberately make people suffer - whether to make them learn something or to punish or for whatever other reason. Worth a read for a different point of view.

sooz

[mike435]

but jewish beliefe says also if a person does a sin their family in 7 generation will be punished for that!

lol
true i forgot about that i heard somthing about that i dont know exactly what it means or is

thanks for bringing it up

[zubin]

This is actually a very simple question. The answer is this: Bad people are good at making bad systems that benefit them most.

What's interesting enough is that for the first time good people have not only realized this but have the opportunity to fight and make the global and locals systems in a way that benefits everyone justly.

[donsaeid]

If there is a God, isn't he supposed to be loving and caring? Punish 7 generations down? Nah... I don't think so.

I don't believe that if there is a God, the he directs your life. You direct your life. You make the choices. And sometimes other people make choices that hurt you. Sometimes you get sick because you get sick. No hidden meaning or agenda. Just genetics, environment and other factors.

Great book: When Bad Things Happen To Good People by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner. One of the best books I've ever read on the subject. It's a somewhat more logical than emotive view, but it makes sense to me... more than the idea that a loving, caring God would deliberately make people suffer - whether to make them learn something or to punish or for whatever other reason. Worth a read for a different point of view.

sooz

4. moses book 16, 31-35

4. moses book 16, 45-50

4. moses book 14, 18 (i have a persian translation!: it says that yahova is this and that and in the end of verse it says that sins of fathers will be used against their sons until 3rd and 4th generation!)

It seems in Torah and other holy books God loves killing! even in christian bible! it is more like a action book instead of a holy book!

God i know and believe in is almighty and one! but i will never understand the way he is doing thing in!

[maryam9]

Bad things happen becoz we expect bad things to happen.

ok, but what about someone who is born with an incurable disease?

difficult question...

[donsaeid]

ok, but what about someone who is born with an incurable disease?

difficult question...

i think that is answered by verse in torah! last verse in my post!

[sooz]

God i know and believe in is almighty and one! but i will never understand the way he is doing thing in!

I'm just not so good at blind faith. I wasn't there when the bible was written. Was it divinely inspired or not? I don't know. Some historians say that Christianity grew out of a number of 'religions' at the time, incluiding one the Gnostic sects and those who worshipped the Egyptian god Isis. When these other religions were banned, only Christianity and Judaism survived. Remember, this was a time of superstition, folklore and very little scientific knowledge. It was a time when governments and spiritual leaders needed to control the masses. It was also a 'flat-earth' society, and you know how long that theory survived!

I also ask myself why a loving God would want to make all this bad stuff happen to people, whether it's written somewhere or not. Karma? Achieving a higher place in heaven? Just bcause we don't know for sure, doesn't mean we should believe or not believe. But for me, it pushes me to keep asking. Could we have it all wrong? Maybe... maybe not.

I've been asking these questions for 38 years and still have not heard a reasonable explanation.. but that's for me. I respect whatever you believe and your right to do so. I do have a problem when that belief inspires people to kill others - then I'm full of anger and questions.

sooz