In order to this question we must deal with two issues:
Free Will as a source of pain and suffering, and
The operation of Natural Law as a cause of pain and suffering.
Free Will: We Are Responsible For Our Choices
In any discussion of Free Will there is a tendency to confuse the availability and exercise of Free Will with the limitations and consequences of Free Will.
The availability of Free Will simply refers to whether or not we are allowed to make choices. It is an issue of basic freedom.
The exercise of Free Will is subject to certain limitations over which we may have no control. However, within these limitations we have Free Will. That is to say, we can make choices but we cannot dictate the circumstances that will affect the results of our choices.
From a Christian viewpoint, the discussion of Free Will usually centers on our relationship with God; i.e. are we only predestined to a fate determined by God? Or, does God grant us the freedom to make our own choices? Historical and Biblical evidence suggests we have Free Will. God encourages us to make rational choices that conform to the values he has taught us. Because they are based on long standing texts, ideas about right and wrong tend to be stable.
But our moral and physical behavior is unavoidably influenced by the limitations of the real world in which we live, no matter how “free” we think we are to act and think. Our deeds may also lead to self-destruction. Because we have free will, we have the means to create our own personal pain and suffering. If we sink into the abyss of moral decay, if we defile our being with drugs or alcohol, if we participate in perverted lust, if we are filled with vengeful hatred, if we are deceitful, arrogant or contentious, if we debilitate ourselves with too much stress, or if we ignore the wisdom of experience: we are doomed to suffer the consequences.
Human history is also filled with examples of the torment created by people who use their political, economic or personal free will to dominate others. Disease, injury, hunger, war, hatred, and grinding poverty are a constant source of suffering. Good people suffer injury and privation, beautiful children are murdered, and people die of starvation or disease.
Thus our freedom to make personal choices is influenced, and modified, by the cultural, social, economic and physical environment within which we function, and includes our emotional and intellectual interaction with other people. We make choices. We make good decisions and we make bad decisions. In either case, we are responsible for the result. If our exercise of Free Will leads to pain and suffering, it is usually our own fault.
Natural Law
Are we always responsible for the creation of pain and suffering?
No. Our universe is governed by natural law (the laws of nature) and we have defined most of them in our quest to understand physics, chemistry, biology, geology, cosmology and so on. We have little or no control over how they work and interact. Terrifying storms, floods, earth quakes, volcanos, and forest fires inflict the destructive power of natural events. Pain and suffering from disease and disabilities are a fact of life. The aches and pains of aging, caused by the natural decline of our health and prior lifestyle, are a natural biological process.
Conclusion
Life is life. Nothing will change. We humans will continue to do the intelligent, dumb, compassionate, callous, joyous, and awful things we have always done. War, famine, disease.... floods, fires, storms.... they will be with us forever. Neither human nature or natural nature will change. Year after year.
Unless God gives up on us.
We are responsible for the results of our decisions. The Bible is full of stories about people who made good decisions, ... and bad decisions. But good or bad, they are usually responsible for the result and may be punished if a bad decision violates God’s commandments.
We will be affected by natural events over which we may have little or no control. The universe, our planet, and the environment in which we live, are all governed by natural law. We cannot expect God to alter natural law to rescue us from pain and suffering.
But there is something we can do to help ourselves. We can establish a sincere relationship with God through prayer and meditation. He is there... for us. A caring and wise spiritual being whose presence is everywhere. Let us seek his counsel and love... every day.
And of course.... If we have the misfortune to experience the trauma of pain and suffering , he will be there....
Ron
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