Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Evil & Suffering
Why does suffering exist in a world created or sustained by a good God? Every tradition grapples with the problem of evil, whether through the figure of Satan, the Buddhist truth of dukkha, the Hindu concept of maya, or the Quranic tests of faith. These responses reveal deep differences in how religions understand the nature of reality and the purpose of hardship.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Problem of evil — the Fall, redemptive suffering
- Key Text
- Romans 8:28; Job 1-2; Genesis 3
Islam
- Practice
- Tests and trials (ibtila) from Allah; patience (sabr)
- Key Text
- Quran 2:155-157, 29:2-3
Judaism
- Practice
- Suffering as test, consequence, or mystery
- Key Text
- Job 1:21; Psalm 22; Lamentations 3:22-23
Hinduism
- Practice
- Karma — suffering as result of past actions; maya (illusion)
- Key Text
- Bhagavad Gita 2:14-15; 13:21
Buddhism
- Practice
- Dukkha (suffering) — First Noble Truth, cause is craving
- Key Text
- SN 56.11 (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta); SN 12.2