What right have I to say that the tribulations of a woman suffering from AIDs are inconsequential so long as she responds to it in the right way? Who am I to say that the suffering of the African Americans is a test, to judge their moral character? What happened to them was wrong and it should _never_ have happened? And what about the animals who suffered and died before the emergence of humanity? Was it all a pretty opening act before the main event? Does granting the priviledge of moral judgement to humanity justify the incalculably immense suffering necessary to maintain it? Damn the theologians! The problem of evil is still a problem for anyone who believes in an all powerful, benevolent deity. And no aphorisms about unnamed sages are going to make it any more comprehensible. And to tell not to worry about it, that it's not my place to question is to ask me to abdicate my inalienable right to freedom of thought, to shirk my binding duty to follow my reason where so ever it leads. If it leads me astray, so be it. At least I'll die after having lead a consistent life. There is real suffering in this world, horrendous suffering. And pretending it's justified in some kind of cosmic scheme (a test, or a comedy even) is to do nothing but condone that suffering and grow numb to it. And _that_ is the direct antithesis of true humanity. We should openly mourn the lost, the suffering, and make "never again!" our motto, our creed. If we live in a hostile world, then we as a species should give the world the middle finger and attempt to shape a better one. I'm so angry I could choke to death on tears.