He claims that a parent is punished for their bad deeds by their childs suffering.
Augustine's answer does not account for all children's suffering
Say the parent is unaware of what's happening to the child it can't be the parents punishment but only the innocent child.
Tell me something.
Michael B
Favorite Answer
The claims made on God's behalf by the Bible and by Christian theologians (among others) give poor old God a very bad press indeed.
That he sent his only son to Earth on purpose to have him nailed up on a cross is, by itself, enough to level him with the worst of men. On top of that, to create Hell where people suffer infinite punishment for finite sins, and to invite the blessed in Heaven to spectate for enjoyment (presumably from a sort of viewing gallery or grandstand) as St. Augustine suggests sounds like sadism. To fill in the picture, read the Old Testament's list of punishments for crimes here on earth as well.
If there is a God, he should sack his speechwriters and hire a decent PR firm; the ones he's using at the moment are doing very little for his image.
B+
In some cares, parents are punished by the suffering of their children. I don' t really agree with him. Its all up to god, he decides who will be tested and how. Our suffering and our good times are all tests to see what we will learn (from bad times) and do we appreciate what we have (the good times).
Anonymous
No. I do not agree with Augustine.