Practical Theology

Practical Theology

Answering the Problem of Animal Suffering Based on the Theodicy of Vedic Texts

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
PhD student of Religious Studies at the University of Religions and Religions University of Religions, Pardisan, Qom, Iran.
Abstract
Traditionally, the problem of evil in its various forms has been one of the most serious problems for belief in God. A large part of the answers given to the problem of evil have mainly centered on human flourishing. In the last few decades, more attention has been paid to the suffering of animals and the philosophical problems that such suffering creates as one of the examples of evil. Theists in Abrahamic religions, by drawing a theological theodicy, try to establish compatibility between the suffering of animals and God who has the absolute attributes of knowledge, power and benevolence. There are other solutions by non-monotheistic religions, such as Hindu theodicy, which tries to justify this problem with a moral solution, regardless of preserving the oneness of God. By providing a systematic structure of the system of creation, Hindu theodicy ties the reasons why God allows animals to suffer to the agency granted to creatures and the cycle of karma, which somehow recounts what is sown in the next life. In this research, we show how a Hindu theist can respond to the problem of animal suffering according to his religious teachings.
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