Answer: This a question of moral
theology for which we must distinguish between the ideal and the real:
how we should behave and what actually takes place in the human
condition. Being angry forms part of the normal nexus of human
experience, at some time or another, although it would never occur to
some persons of faith to be angry with God.
Anger is one of those volatile states which the scriptures of all
religions advise us to master because of its devastating effects.
As such, the symptom of anger becomes a call for deeper reflection to
understand more profoundly the causes of our anger and, hopefully,
thereby reduce it, instead of remaining either a target, victim or
purveyor of anger. We thereby empower ourselves to learn a new pattern
of behaviour: using reason, understanding and consultation to problem
solve instead of futile, repeated fuming and venting. Although
justified anger, a visceral reaction of outrage to injustice or
immorality does exist, how and when it is applied requires the wisdom
of the wise.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), the third of the Three Central Figures of the
Bahá’í Faith, advised in a talk in 1912 in Chicago: “Never become angry
with one another. Love the creatures for the sake of God and not for
themselves … Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every
human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the
people themselves” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 92).
But the question asks about anger at God. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: “All that
has been created is for man who is at the apex of creation and who must
be thankful for the divine bestowals, so that through his gratitude he
may learn to understand life as a divine benefit … therefore we must be
happy and pass our time in praises, appreciating all things”
(Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 134).
My last thought would be this: Anyone is free to be angry at God or
not. It may have short-term therapeutic value for a time, but definite
risks are involved. -
Jack
McLean
