Theology of Suffering
Theology of Suffering: A Contrast To suffer means to submit or be forced to endure (something unpleasant); to endure death, pain, or distress. It is known to happen to everyone, that it is a part of this world that we live in and essentially, there is no escaping it. Looking at it through a scientific lens, the second law of thermodynamics helps with the definition. That the whole world is in a slow downward spiral into death and that is inescapable. Just the thought of this for some people brings them to an emotional pain but the actual effect of it, death, causes a majority of the suffering that is experienced. Pain and suffering are not partial to a specific person or people group, it is the same across the board. People have different ways coping with the inevitability of it though. Some people choose superficial means or even tangible objects to cope while others turn to a more philosophical source and look at religion and the metaphysical to help understand or even find a reason for the suffering. When looking at religion, or lack thereof, it can be difficult to prescribe an overarching answer to suffering because most religions are very different, especially when it comes to this specific theology. Are they all right? No. One of the laws of truth, the law of noncontradiction, shows that two opposing subjects cannot both be deemed correct. So in this paper, a contrast will be made between these responses to the labyrinth of suffering that humanity is currently dwelling in. The most common means of managing the pain that this world brings would be that of a superficial means. People will forsake all knowledge, or pursuit of thereof, to find a menial escape from their pain. Consumers find it in their possessions, lovers in their love, people persons in their friends and family, musicians in their music, everyone in their opiates and vices, and so on and so on. It is the easiest form of mental escape, temporary ignorance. Levi The Poet