Introduction
“Human suffering… is one of the great problems and mysteries of life” (Clayton, J and Clayton, P 2011). Suffering can be defined as “the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship” (Oxford Dictionary, 2013). An ongoing philosophical question, which has perplexed scholars, philosophers and religious saints alike, is why does suffering exist? Human suffering can cause some people to disbelieve in God; for others it is an occasion for faith in God. The religion of Catholicism and St Augustine, are two perspectives which believe suffering is an opportunity to connect with God, whereas the religion of Buddhism and ideas of revolutionist Karl Marx, oppose suffering and believe it is something that needs to come to an end.