[TeamManager]

@Papilon,
Your questions on 'Suffering', 'the wicked prospering' and 'purpose' are really nice questions.
But before I give my answers I would like to point out two things:-

1. Before you jump into a blind wargon headed down hill ask yourself what these 'Atheist', 'moon-god worshippers' and 'Philosophers (Eastern religion)' in Mashada have to offer you except emptiness as an explainantion for suffering. Just notice that none of them will try and offer you their 'religions' better explaination. They will only spend their time consoling their emptiness by attempting to bash Christianity.

2. From utotoni, did you Believe IN God or did you Believe ABOUT God? Big difference my friend.


SUFFERING
1. Remember we live in a FALLEN world. Good behaviour is not always rewarded and bad behaviour is not always punished. SIN has twisted justice and made our world unpredictable and ugly.
2. Job is a good example to our world. But the story of Job does not end in despair. Through Job's life we can see that faith in God is justified even when situations look hopeless.
3. Faith based on rewards or prosperity is hollow. An unshakable faith must be built on the confidence that God's ultimate purpose will come to pass and that God can make good out of terrible bad situations.
4. John 10:10 (NIV) The thief (i.e the Devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (i.e Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
5. Jesus also terribly suffered thus he is also able to identify/comfort/syspathesize with those suffering. Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Generally the source of suffering is our sin, other's sin, avoidable circumstances and unavoidable circumstances (by God or by satan). The most important thing is our we respond. The correct responce is 'ongoing trust in God's faithfulness' and repentance (if the case arises).

Suffering is HARMFUL when:-
You become hardened and reject God.
Allow it to make you self-centred and selfish.
You withdraw from help.
You reject that God can bring good out of calamity.
You accuse God of being unjust and perhaps lead others to reject him.

Its NOT ALWAYS TRUE that suffering is God's punishment for sin or that Suffering is God's way to teach, discipline and refine. BUT its ALWAYS TRUE that suffering causes us to trust God for WHO HE IS, and NOT what he does.

VERY IMPORTANT
I know many lives that have been made better by God dispite the suffering they underwent, WHAT ABOUT the ATHEISTS- ANY example.


THE EVIL PEOPLE PROSPERING
I can assure you that your question is in good company. A number of Prophets and men of men in the Bible asked similar question. I would recommend that you read the book of Habakkuk (3 chapters only), Ps. 10*4-6 and Job 21:29-33.

The wicked may seem to get away with sin, but there is a higher Jugde and future Judgement (Rev 20:11-15). The final settlement of justice will not come in this life, but in the next. The wicked will surely be punished because God hates evil deeds. 'Guess they are just fattening for the punishment'

PURPOSE
To know God initimately and enjoy His presence while bring glory to Him. Other things are just details.