GCSE Religious Studies B WJEC

Good, Evil and Suffering

Understanding Good and Evil

• Good and evil are fundamental terminologies within religious discourse. Good refers to what is morally right, virtuous, and beneficial, while evil signifies that which is profoundly immoral or malevolent.
• Many religions believe in the presence of good and evil in the world. The struggle between the two often features in many religious texts or teachings.
• The role of human free will often features in discussions surrounding good and evil. For example, some argue that people have the freedom to choose good over evil.

The Problem of Evil

• The famous problem of evil has been a subject of religious and philosophical discourse for centuries. It questions how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God can allow evil and suffering to exist in the world.
• There are two types of evil: natural evil, which stems from natural phenomena (like tsunamis and diseases), and moral evil, resulting from human actions (like greed or violence).

Perspectives on Good and Evil from Major Religions

Christianity

• Christians believe in the concept of Original Sin, a state of sin inherited by all human beings as a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden.
• According to Christian belief, individuals can attain salvation and overcome evil through faith in Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity.

Islam

• Muslims perceive good and evil as a test from Allah. Humans have a free choice to do good or evil and will face judgment for their actions in the afterlife.
• Evil, known as "Sharr" in Arabic, exists as a result of human disobedience. It doesn't originate from Allah, who is seen as most Merciful and Beneficent.

Buddhism

• In Buddhism, good and evil are perceived as karma, the law of moral causation. Individuals who do good actions experience happiness, while those who do evil suffer.
• Suffering, or "Dukkha", is a fundamental concept in Buddhism. It's considered part of life, caused by desire, and can be eliminated by following the Eightfold Path.

Suffering and Theodicies

• A theodicy is a defence of God's goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil. It attempts to reconcile how the attributes of a loving, omnipotent God can coexist with the reality of evil and suffering.
• The Free Will Defence theorises that God gave humans free will to make their own decisions, and this freedom includes the ability to do evil acts.
• Natural evils can be explained through the Soul-Making Theodicy. According to this concept, suffering presents an opportunity for individuals to grow spiritually and morally. Suffering, in this perspective, serves as a necessary tool for soul development.
• Process Theodicy suggests that God’s power is persuasive rather than coercive. God cannot interfere to prevent evil or suffering, but continually works to lead the universe towards greater goodness.