joobz: the gist of the arguments is that God moves in mysterious ways. Similarly to how a toddler can't comprehend why his loving parents take him to a place where a bad man subjects him to what he perceives as horrific pain with a syringe, humans can't comprehend why God allows evil.
This argument works, to a degree. It's actually a kind of good answer. Except God is almighty, and I view the causing of suffering (for example by means of violence) as a last resort, and to an almighty being, there should never be a need for a last resort as He can just wave His magic wand and will things to be the way He wants them to be. If the rapes and murders and genocides of this world are there to achieve some higher purpose, then no matter how you look at it, God is doing it the hard way.
Though to be fair, there are people who have been through hell (natural disasters, accidents or what have you) who say later that they're sort of glad it happened, because it hardened them and brought them closer to their loved ones, or for some other reason. I can actually relate to that to a degree - the stuff I've been through wasn't fun, but it has gotten me to where I am today, and I happen to like where I am today. It also arguably has significantly hardened me and put me in a position to aid others in the same situation.
However, apart from the fact that people who actually lose someone don't see it this way at all, this whole 'pain to prepare for pain' deal seems a bit problematic, as in the end you'll need to explain why that pain is there in the first place. Let's say I walk into a room and punch one of you. You get a black eye, and the next day you ask me why the hell I punched you. I answer that oh, I'm planning to hit you in the other eye as well, and just thought it'd be good for you to know what you're facing. I also plan to make Wolfman give Roadtoad a black eye, and your suffering will help you ease his pain. Doesn't really fly when put that way, does it?
