Why do the innocent suffer?

SABBY - you got it ;-)

Again I understand your statements in your post and dont' disagree with what you've said there but still, the the question or subject your posing is not "why the innocent suffer" but "why we should stop searching for the reasons for suffering."

I don't think having an answer would make people dispassionate. On the contrary, I have an answer that puts suffering right on the lap of every single person alive. People suffer because we allow it. The only things to do is something or nothing, obviously but, if everyone felt obligated and accounted for their own efforts or idleness then, maybe suffering would be left to the natural throws of life, like childbirth and we could comfort them instead save them.

There is a much suffering that is caused by nature.

It is a worthy question to ask "Why suffering?" I often think about the alternatives which would be pleasant experiences all the time. If that were to happen, I could easily let go the exercises and develop a lot of extra weight.
I guess I tend toward the Buddhist belief that Life is suffering. Why? I feel that life is lived in an ocean of opposites. When we identify with one quality and dislike its opposite, there is the beginning of a war in us. I guess that is suffering.
Somehow if we can transcend opposites, there is a joy in life that transcends the suffering.
On another front, Rumi, a 12th century poet says that suffering is the stone that cracks open our frozen heart and allows us to feel and experience being in this moment.
Of course everyone has the right to their own beliefs and lives out the consequences of those. I do that all the time. But sometimes I find a way to have compassion for myself and or others and what they go through. That break through takes me beyond suffering. I don't know how but it does.

I have no thoughts as to why the innocent suffer, i guess praying is a way i try to deal with that fact. It is sad that God is doing this, but i remember a saying that God is so great that we can't even understand His magesty and greatness.

There are many philosophical and yes, spiritual, opinions and views about suffering in the world. I think it evokes a good study to find their rationales. At this point it doesn't matter what faith or religion a person is and their viewpoint because it won't end "suffering" in the general sense imo.

Our attitude and perspective can change the definition of "suffering" (indeed there are those who suffer for God, or for their beliefs and count it towards reward in heaven).

I think having a spiritual basis has everything to do with suffering and how we deal with it and how we help others through "it". (Indeed, someone who has no spiritual depth has nothing to give another imo.)

In another thought, it is our propensity to judge that makes this question more difficult. Why are we not equally concerned about the "guilty" who suffer? Who are we to determine who is innocent and who is guilty? (In my faith that's left up to God.) Are we not to care and console all humans? Yes. This is why we find so many believers forgiving those who have done harm to themselves or their families, standing at the sentencing and asking for reprieve and stating they forgive the offender. True faith and a healthy perspective on suffering imo.

So the innocent suffers because everyone suffers, including those deemed "innocent".

(I personally believe humans were created in the image of God and perfect.)

I agree that if one believes suffering is part of punishment that that isn't the goal. Whether you believe in a God that punishes or not, the core reason for suffering the effects of actions is to bring us to a higher spirituality and closer to that God you believe in.

Life isn't fair any more. Thus, when people (especially children) have done nothing to warrant cruel and inhumane treatment there is no other answer than the evil of some other people and that life is not fair any more.

I don't think the question is why do the innocent suffer - everyone suffers, and I'm not sure what makes one person innocent, and another not, tbh.

The question for me is, "what will I transform my suffering into?".

LOL, who or what is this "we"?

Who is this "we"?
jim

"I" instead of "we"?
It isn't about me,
It's about we,
The seething mass of humanity.

You may exclude yourself if you choose.

According to my understanding of the Bible, there was war in heaven where Lucifer accused God of forcing humans to serve Him, or else. God has allowed Lucifer to prove his ways in this planet, and therefore refrains from interfering in many cases, but not always. If God showed Himself in His glory, humans would serve Him out of fear rather than because they see God is right and Evil is wrong. According to my belief, and you may not agree, God could prevent all bad things from happening, but does not always because of this conflict between good and evil. I try to pray that I can surrender to whatever God permits in my life, and I do believe that the evil here will be destroyed finally.
I also can't understand how some of the awful things are allowed to happen, such as child abuse, and abuse I suffered, but I try to keep my faith in God anyway. I think this all is what the Bible means as the great conflict in heaven and earth are explained there. Thanks for listening.