If god exists and is omnibenevolent why do diseases and mental illness exist?

Doesn't it make more sense that everything that exists was produced by a mindless mechanism that does not have feelings or attributes like omnibenevolence or a direction, an inherently random mechanism that produced us the same way it produced the virus that cause measles or AIDS?

I have heard a lot of non-believers say that the Christian concept of Heaven is the epitome of boredom.Sitting around on clouds,strumming harps,flitting to and fro on angelic wings.Bleh.
Then they ask why is there disease and illness and natural disaster.
Imagine a world where a person has nothing to contribute.There is no disease and thus no need for research,no need for people to transport lifesaving meds to other countries,no need for a person to be grateful for their life being saved by that medicine.
Now,imagine no one is sick,no one is in need of any kind of help from their fellow man.What will we do? Could we appreciate such? If we never experience suffering can we appreciate Utopia?
If we have Utopia will we complain that it is the epitome of boredom and we have nothing to contribute so what is the use?
hmmmm...

I also believe in science. And actually it's because of science (more specifically the thinking that I need Proof Before I believe anything spiritual/religious) that lead me to the Bible.

Yes God does have the ability to foretell the future However the idea of Predestination is NOT supported by the Bible. Humans' lives (and any possible genetic mutations/environmental stresses/diseases) are NOT predetermined by God. See Eccl 9:11 - "time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all". . .

To answer your question about why diseases exist and why people must suffer, talk to your local Jehovah's Witnesses - they can show/provide the proof (like any good scientist can support their finding) from the Bible why suffering occurs and what Hope there is for the future

Fourth Question: Since this disaster of an earthquake results from wrongdoing and is atonement for sins, why are the innocent and those not at fault struck by it? How does Divine justice permit this?

The Answer, again in regard to its meaning: Since this matter is concerned with the mystery of Divine Determining, we refer you to the Risale-i Nur and here only say this:

And fear tumult or oppression, which affects not in particular [only] those of you who do wrong.25

That is, Beware of the calamity or disaster which when it occurs is not restricted to wrongdoers but strikes also the innocent.

The meaning of this verse is as follows: this world is a field of trial and examination, and a place of obligation and struggle. Obligation and examination require that reality remains veiled so that through competition and struggle the Abu Bakr's may rise to the Highest of the High and the Abu Jahl's may enter among the Lowest of the Low. If the innocent remained untouched in such disasters, the Abu Jahl's would submit just like the Abu Bakr's, and the door of spiritual and moral progress through struggle would be closed and the mystery of obligation spoiled.

Since Divine wisdom requires that oppressed and oppressor are together afflicted by disaster, what then is the share of the wretched oppressed of Divine mercy and justice?

It was said in reply to this question: for them there is a manifestation of mercy within the wrath and anger in the disaster. For just as the transient property of the innocent becomes like alms and gains permanence, the relatively little and temporary difficulty and torment is a form of martyrdom for them which gains also for their transient lives a permanent life. The earthquake gains for them a great and perpetual profit, and so for them is an instance of Divine mercy within the wrath.

http://risaleinur.us/read/?art=2868&t=Th...


Second Reason: It is by means of disasters and sicknesses that life is refined, perfected, strengthened and advanced; that it yields results, attains perfection and fulfils its own purpose. Life led monotonously on the couch of ease and comfort resembles not so much the pure good that is being, as the pure evil that is non-being; it tends in fact in that direction.

Third Reason: This worldly realm is the field of testing, the abode of service. It is not the place of pleasure, reward, and requital. Considering, then, that it is the abode of service and place of worship, sicknesses and misfortunes鈥攁s long as they do not affect belief and are patiently endured鈥攃onform fully to service and worship, and even strengthen it. Since they make each hour's worship equivalent to that of a day, one should offer thanks instead of complaining.

http://risaleinur.us/read/?art=2902&t=Th...

God created this amazing world we live in, but he let's his creation actually live. The Earth, and everything on it works by His design, but grows and changes. It was never designed to be a perfect world.

Because when Eve ate the forbidden fruit thats when sin came. And all the "bad" things are happening. Everyone is gonna blame it on Satan, thats the excuse Christians use when they don't have a much more logical answer.

Sounds like your familar with the Matrix?

We live in a fallen sinful world.

spell check?