@Fatal Freedoms,
Quote:Does that mean no christian has ever died in a holocaust? And why would god allow non-christians to die horrible deaths before they can learn about jesus?
Of course Christians died during the Holocaust, from 3 to 5 millions Christians.They didn't have to die to learn about Jesus. But death and suffering is a part of existence. We all die and we all suffer, except it works for good for Christians. There is a purpose and meaning of suffering for a Christian person.
Quote:What about native tribesmen who are in complete isolation from the rest of the world, does god allow them to suffer for something that is not their fault?
It's not their individual fault, it's by definition, alive = suffer
Quote:So do you think all suffering is justified on some level?
That's a good and difficult question. Again for Christians it is, there are references in the New and Old Testament for that. And I provided verses earlier indicating what benefits can it bring.
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It is to make us like Christ (Heb 12:9)
To drive us closer to God (1 Pet 4:14)
To produce the fruit of patience (James 1:3-4)
To teach us (Psalm 119:67)
To purify our lives (1 Peter 1:7)
To Glorify God (Phil 1:19-20)
To prepare us for the kingdom (2 Tim 2:12) [/SIZE]
For non Christians it's justified by their disobedience to God. (I know it's a harsh statement)
As a conclusion, we all suffer but the purpose of suffering is different.