RE: Why would God permit suffering?
The one thing that makes me believe in Hell is the injustice and cruelty of man. It was surely created for the devil and his angels. I have met a few of them. As for Heaven, everyone prays in the end. It is a great comfort to me. As to the verity of scripture, I cannot subscribe to practices such as stoning rebellious children, paying fathers for desecrating their daughters or burning witches. I believe the Bible accurately records these occurrences, but I steadfastly believe in evolution as a human. God repents, changes and regrets creating man for his sins. I subscribe to the notion that I must do what I know is right, regardless of institutions, popular opinion, especially if it calls for sacrificing my own pride. Written text cannot be blamed for our cruelty, our hate. I fear most of all being judged for what I did not do.