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Summary of Question:	The Conscept Of Evil - 2
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 5/27/2003 1:51 PM MDT

I asked you a question before about the idea of good and evil, and I was answered. But I don't think I explained my question well enough.

What I got from your reply was that you agree with the fact that there is no "evil" that has been done on purpose.

My question was that if one does no evil, why is he/she punished for it in the current or next life? Karma can't "just exist", God has something to do with it definitely, since he is the creator of all things and ideas. And it's not just that what you do comes back to you. The punishments are beyond horrible. My grandmother told me that if you do not heget to heaven, you have to be born 84-lacs of times and then get to be human again to try again. I wanted to know who deserves such things? My father got shot and died from it, what could he possibly have done for him to deserve such a sudden death, and not even get a chance to tell his family that he loves us?

People suffer tremendously. Little children starve to death while we take forever to decide what to eat in a restaurant, making sure that it tastes good. What difference in past karma produces such enormous differences in the present future? If everyone is true to THEMSELVES and do what THEY THINK is right, and they do not do evil on purpose, then everyone should go to heaven. And It's not that it's selfishness, because there is no other to rely on besides your own self.

I'm not saying that out of Karma comes only punishments, there also comes pleasure, but sometimes the punishments lead a person to commit more negative deeds. I've lost quite a few people that I loved dearly, and have seen what most 18 year olds haven't seen, and probably won't see for a long time. I've come close to ending my life before, and it is the most horrible feeling that is possible to feel, it's betrayal by your own self.

It's not just all about me, I try to go on with my life and look forward, but there are people who can not and no help is avialable to them, and sometimes, for them, it is too late. Why did they deserve this? The way the world is doesn't make me feel the joy of God, but it rather drives me away from him causing me to lose my faith. And this definitely isn't gonna get me to heaven.

Jaz

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Thank you for writing back Jaz and clarifying yourself. I'm so sorry for your loss. When you said your father was shot, I was hoping that he survived. It is normal for you to feel angry, despondant and questioning "why us".

I did not mean that evil things are not done; I meant that God does not make people do evil things. For many reasons, people do evil or horribly hurtful things, but I don't think that people are born evil...as I explained with the nature/nurture theory. Your father was murdered, that does not mean that he was a bad or evil person. I can't tell you why it happened to him. BUT, you have a choice in how you deal with this loss. You can either become angry, hardened and close your heart to others and God, or you can use this loss to allow some kind of transformation in yourself. My husband's mother died when he was 11. As sad and horrible it was for him, he and all of his sibblngs have experienced her protection around them their whole lives. It was as though she could do more for them in that "spirit" realm than in her earthly body. It is impossible to "figure out" why things happen. But, there can be some really special, wonderful transformation which can occur for you, because of this tragic event, if you allow it. Right now you are in your head, trying to figure it all out. That might give you some comfort, but I think that you probably will not find the comfort and answers you are looking for through the mind. Your heart is wounded. Look for healing through love. There may be ways you can bring healing, like creating some kind of memorial for your father. Maybe there is something which meant a lot to your father, like a cause or group or growing a garden. Maybe other victims of violent crimes need comfort. When you feel ready, allow this healing to occur. No, your father did not have this happen to him because he "deserved" it...there is probably some higher good, which his soul agreed to. Don't fall into the trap of how it appears. Behind the tragedy and horror is an ultimate good. Its there, when you're ready to see it. Keep writing to us about how you are doing. GTKK