[March 2003 journal entry]
In a recent conversation, a burdened friend observed --
How can behaviors and consequences be attributed to ‘the will of God’ when, if a human being were responsible for such, we would call it crime or mental illness. What kind of person would I be if I could do something to prevent such suffering for an individual and did not do so? And yet the ‘God’ talk in churches proceeds to honor ‘God’!
I expressed agreement with his analysis/concern and shared with him at least four decisions I have made in dealing with such conflict – (1) I am resolved to orient my life toward such suffering and toward alignment with such sufferers, (2) I am resolved not to embrace ideas that claim to make sense of or to justify such suffering, (3) I am resolved not to embrace ideas that marginalize or distract from such suffering/ers, (4) I am resolved not to embrace ideas that encourage such sufferers to suppress their raw/honest reactions.
