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Working through ‘the problem of evil’
A version of this article was published in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column, March 25, 2019.
Another headline, another mass attack against the innocent. And in the wake of it, a remarkable, powerful response of love and compassion and forgiveness. Again and again, an individual act of hate impels a global outpouring of caring for each other.
But with each incident, there is a yearning to know how to prevent instead of simply console. Discussions revolve around restricting weapons or increasing defensive measures or shutting down social media sites that promote violence. And while these steps may have their place, the more pressing need is to remove the hatred lodged in the thoughts of those who’ve planned and initiated these attacks. Is that even possible?
Those communities of faith where many of these tragedies have occurred are confronting the dilemma: If God is good and loving, how can these acts of violence be explained? It is the age-old wrestling with “the problem of evil,” as several individuals shared with a reporter for The Christian Science Monitor after their own worshipers were targeted (“After New Zealand terror, the faithful grapple with big question: Why?” CSMonitor.com).
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