Why does God allow evil in the world?

Why Does God Allow Evil in the World? A Complete, Thoughtful Explanation

The question “Why does God allow evil in the world?” is one of humanity’s oldest and deepest questions. Whether it comes from witnessing suffering, personal pain, or seeing injustice around us, this question touches every person at some point.
Different religions, philosophies, and thinkers have offered responses. While no single answer satisfies everyone, understanding the major perspectives can bring clarity, comfort, and deeper insight.

The Big Question: If God Is Good, Why Is There Evil?

This is often called the problem of evil:

• If God is all-powerful, He could stop evil.
• If God is all-loving, He should stop evil.
• Yet evil exists.

So why?
Below are the most widely understood explanations from theology, philosophy, and spiritual teachings.

1. The Free Will Perspective: Freedom Comes With Consequences

One of the most common explanations is free will.

What it means

God gave humans the freedom to choose between good and evil.
Without choice, love and goodness would be forced—not genuine.

Why free will involves suffering

With freedom comes the possibility of:

• Violence
• Betrayal
• Hatred
• Injustice
• Selfish choices
  In short: much of the world’s suffering comes from human actions, not God.

Core idea

God allows evil because stopping it would require removing human freedom.

2. The “Soul-Development” View: Suffering Helps Us Grow

Many philosophers (including John Hick) argue that challenges help shape human character.

How suffering contributes to growth

Pain can develop:

• Compassion
• Patience
• Strength
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Resilience

Without hardship, virtues would not exist.
For example:

• We understand courage only because fear exists.
• Compassion exists because suffering exists.
• Forgiveness exists because hurt exists.

Core idea

Evil is allowed because it leads to personal and spiritual growth that would otherwise be impossible.

3. The Greater Good Perspective: We Don’t See the Whole Picture

This view suggests that human beings see only a part of a larger divine plan.

Key thought

What looks meaningless today may serve a purpose we cannot yet see.

Examples often given:

• Pain inspiring people to help others
• Hardship pushing someone toward their true purpose
• Suffering bringing people closer to faith
• Tragedies creating unity or transformation

Like seeing a single puzzle piece, life’s suffering may not make sense until the whole picture unfolds.

Core idea

God may allow some evil because it results in a greater good beyond our understanding.

4. The Natural Law Explanation: The World Has Fixed Rules

Many forms of suffering—diseases, natural disasters, accidents—come from natural laws that make life possible.

Examples:

• Gravity keeps us grounded but can cause falls.
• Weather systems nourish the earth but can create storms.
• Viruses are part of biological evolution but can cause illness.

A world without any risk would also lack stability, growth, or predictability.

Core idea

God allows nature to operate consistently, even if it sometimes leads to suffering.

5. The Spiritual Battle View (Common in Many Religions)

Many traditions teach that evil exists because of:

• Dark spiritual forces
• Human separation from God
• Moral corruption
• Karma or consequences of actions

In these views, evil is not from God but from forces opposing goodness.

Core idea

Evil exists because the world is a battleground of moral and spiritual choices.

6. The Mystery of God: Some Things Are Beyond Human Understanding

Not every question has a complete earthly answer.

Just as a child may not understand their parent’s decisions, humans may not fully grasp divine reasoning.

This is not a dismissal—but an acknowledgement of human limitation.

Core idea

Some suffering has reasons we may never fully understand in this life.

7. What We Can Do: Respond to Evil With Good

Even if we cannot fully answer why evil exists, we can focus on how we respond.

Ways to bring good into the world:

• Show compassion
• Help the suffering
• Practice forgiveness
• Stand against injustice
• Support those in pain
• Live with integrity

Many spiritual teachers say:
We may not control all the suffering in the world, but we can reduce it through our actions.

Conclusion

“Why does God allow evil?” has no single, universal answer. But through free will, personal growth, natural law, greater purpose, and spiritual teachings, many traditions provide meaningful explanations.
While the existence of evil raises difficult questions, it also invites humanity to choose goodness, compassion, and purpose.
The question itself often leads people to deeper faith, reflection, and understanding of themselves and the world.