nhboy said:
The question “why do bad things happen to good or even not-so-good people” seems especially if not uniquely well suited to harass theists of all stripes.
But, nobody has the answer to this question; only ways of thinking about it. Mostly we prefer not to think about it. Life is too often and casually assaulted, crippled and lost to bear much scrutiny. Everyday horrors, the vast majority of which do not make the nightly news, much less get an anniversary observance, are the rationalist’s evidence of God’s absence. Faith’s only reply is irrational hope and disciplined endurance oriented to succoring those in need.
LINK
Hmmm.. I believe Jesus had the answer to this question. He said that the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. All will have tribulations. The Holy Bible states that sometimes the Children of God are ones who endure more trials and tribulations because the world is opposed to the Good Things of God.
Some references to consider:
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:44-45)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
“…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:14-17)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:35-39)
No one suffered more than Christ did, yet, He was still able to say:
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
James, Chapter 1:
2: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7: For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Judging things and people as being "good or bad (evil)" was the original sin 