suffering
Survey: Americans think bad things just happen; God is not responsible
By Yonat Shimron — November 23, 2021
(RNS) — The vast majority of U.S. adults ascribe suffering at least partly to random chance, a new Pew Research survey found.
Don’t romanticize suffering following the Aurora mass shooting
By Paul O'Donnell — February 18, 2019
WHEATON, Ill. (RNS) — People look for spiritual growth to come from tragedies like the Aurora mass shooting. But science tells us that the blessings of suffering are often different from what people expect.
What dying children can teach America about responding to shootings
By Justin Baker — November 9, 2018
(RNS) — Accompanying children with cancer on their journey, an oncologist says, has taught him that we need show up for those who are grieving.
Christian author Lysa TerKeurst faces her greatest fears
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 8, 2018
(RNS) — When, in the past two years, bestselling Christian author Lysa TerKeurst revealed her husband's affair and her diagnosis with breast cancer, she did what she's always done. She wrote about it in a new book, 'It's Not Supposed to Be this Way."
Hurt by the church? It’s time to talk about it
By Jonathan Merritt — February 6, 2017
Critiquing the church has become taboo among many, but sharing our suffering may help you heal from spiritual wounds.
Does God really want us to suffer unrelenting pain?
By guest — May 4, 2016
(RNS) It is the common impulse of people of goodwill everywhere to prevent or at least mitigate all forms of gratuitous suffering.
Brittany Maynard’s death: Does suffering have spiritual meaning? (ANALYSIS)
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — November 3, 2014
(RNS) By dying at age 29, Maynard signaled that she saw no point in needless suffering. And if suffering is optional, then it might also be spiritually meaningless.
Gaza violence casts a pall on Eid celebrations
By Rachel Delia Benaim — July 28, 2014
JERUSALEM (RNS) This year, instead of sweets, people are drinking black coffee without sugar, a sign of mourning in Palestinian culture. Instead of new clothes, people are sending their alms to Gaza. Instead of going on vacation, people stay home, glued to the TV set.
COMMENTARY: What Gethsemane teaches us about suffering
By James Martin — April 14, 2014
(RNS) In Gethsemane, Jesus experiences the full range of human emotions, and he shares them with his friends in a fully human way. For us, expressing sadness and fear allows us to set aside our desire to be in control. It is also an invitation to let others love us.
Mother searches for God’s purpose in the midst of grief
By Tim Townsend — July 11, 2013
ST. LOUIS (RNS) After losing her husband and two sons in a hiking accident, Sarah Decareaux says God ``wants to use us for a purpose. I don't know why he would do that to us, to serve some purpose, but I know there is one.'' Now she's trying to figure out what it is.
The church in a land of climate change
By Jonathan Merritt — May 29, 2013
In places like Malawi, the Church may hold the key to addressing climate concerns.
“No more hurting people. Peace.”
By Omid Safi — April 16, 2013
Here was a lesson that Martin Richard, the wise 8-year old, had already learned:
If you can, bring joy and love to humanity.
If you cannot, and you can, at least cause no harm.
In Newtown churches, many questions – and tears – but few answers
By Yamiche Alcindor — December 17, 2012
NEWTOWN, Conn. (RNS) At houses of worship here, people gathered in pews, crying, kneeling and hugging each other through services that focused on remembering the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, uniting the community, celebrating Christmas and preventing similar disasters.
Newtown shootings renew questions about evil and suffering
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 17, 2012
(RNS) "Oh, God!" That cry has echoed ever since news of the horrific Newtown school shootings. As the names of those who died are made known, that cry is followed by a question: Why? Why does God allow evil? By Cathy Lynn Grossman/ USA Today.
Ex-cons, homeless seek enlightenment through art
By Tracy Gordon — March 7, 2012
ST. LOUIS (RNS) A group of former prisoners and homeless veterans are acting out real-life lessons in suffering as they wrestle with Buddhist truths and their own demons. By Tim Townsend.
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