Why Did God Create Bacteria?

[Bookcat]

I did not mean to imply that mosquitoes and bacteria did not exist before the Fall. I only meant to speculate that their more annoying and health-detracting proclivities came about after the Fall.

CCC 310 states that “With physical good there exists also physical evil as long as creation has not reached perfection.” To me, that implies it is talking of a post-fallen world (thereby leaving open the possibility that in a pre-fallen world there would not be the same types of physical evils). But I could be wrong.

It is talking about “creation” which was from the beginning not only post fallen world. But yes I would say in terms of the relationship of man with creation pre-fall was different than post fall…

 

[on_the_hill]

Some microorganisms do nothing other than cause people and animals to become sick. Nobody has given a reason they’re here. They look like something one would see in a universe indifferent to human suffering.

I’m not sure that’s true. It may be the fact that we haven’t yet discovered their full purpose.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Maybe Bacteria “X” seems to be only harmful, but the effort to protect us from it has led to other benefits as well.

 

[blase6]

I don’t know about you guys, but I like being able to digest food.

 

[Bookcat]

I don’t know about you guys, but I like being able to digest food.

Yes me too…

 

[TarkanAttila]

Some microorganisms do nothing other than cause people and animals to become sick. Nobody has given a reason they’re here. They look like something one would see in a universe indifferent to human suffering.

As I explained, if we are made for God, and not the world, diseases of the sort you speak of are a very good reminder of that. In fact, I think the human race will profit very much, and God with us, from the fall, and from disease.

They are also a very good opportunity for us to remind others of that - either by preparing them for Heaven, or removing the parasites so they see we don’t hate them, and maybe they will begin to consider what we’ve said.

As for the OP, just show him a mouldy rotting piece of food. That will be image enough for him. Might be a good time to start a compost heap.

 

[Sky_River]

So my nephew asked me this and said “wouldn’t we be all happy if there were no Bacteria or diseases?”

Well, I wasn’t prepared for that. I have no idea why!

I’d really appreciate an answer for this one, if there was one

It was part of the curse after the fall.

 

[Viki63]

As for the OP, just show him a mouldy rotting piece of food. That will be image enough for him. Might be a good time to start a compost heap.

Maybe. But if he’s a sensitive kid, maybe too much. You might just talk about decaying leaves – we wouldn’t want the world awash in all the leaves ever fallen!

I like to think of the bacteria inside our gut as little machines – nanobots. Chewing up stuff as part of our digestive system. But you probably don’t want to go there with him either.
Keep in mind that bacteria mutate - they were not all created to afflict mankind, but change as they travel from one species to another. Like viruses.

Or you could change the subject and tell him that birds are descended from dinosaurs, which might get any kid’s attention.

 

[Sky_River]

Maybe. But if he’s a sensitive kid, maybe too much. You might just talk about decaying leaves – we wouldn’t want the world awash in all the leaves ever fallen!

I like to think of the bacteria inside our gut as little machines – nanobots. Chewing up stuff as part of our digestive system. But you probably don’t want to go there with him either.
Keep in mind that bacteria mutate - they were not all created to afflict mankind, but change as they travel from one species to another. Like viruses.

Or you could change the subject and tell him that birds are descended from dinosaurs, which might get any kid’s attention.

How do you know bacteria wasnt created to afflict mankind? The bible says God cursed the world after the fall.

 

[JSSD]

How do you know bacteria wasnt created to afflict mankind? The bible says God cursed the world after the fall.

What you suggest COULD be true, but given the multitude of other (including good) uses bacteria have, several mentioned above, it wouldn’t seem like the mostly likely possibility.

 

[TarkanAttila]

How do you know bacteria wasnt created to afflict mankind? The bible says God cursed the world after the fall.

Keep in mind the key word - not all bacteria are bad. In fact, many are very useful. But only some are harmful.

 

[aragonjohn1]

So my nephew asked me this and said “wouldn’t we be all happy if there were no Bacteria or diseases?”

Well, I wasn’t prepared for that. I have no idea why!

I’d really appreciate an answer for this one, if there was one

brcause , they cool, dude.

God bless

john -

 

[on_the_hill]

How do you know bacteria wasnt created to afflict mankind? The bible says God cursed the world after the fall.

Bacteria are the oldest form of life on Earth. They existed billions of years before any other living creature. God needn’t have cursed the world with bacteria.