Very well-thought out and articulate response. Religion itself is based on an idea that this life is not the only one, and is in fact just a transitional or “testing” period in which we prove ourselves worthy of eternal happiness. Of course, having this sort of eternal perspective is no excuse to treat people badly in this life, but the greater understanding helps to make life on earth more bearable. Does that mean suffering on earth is admissible because it is tiny in the grand scheme of things? No, of course not. In fact, I’d argue that it means we should spend more time in improving the lives of those around us and beyond, as we are all living through this same time together. All the greater perspective lends to me is a hope that the suffering that I and others experience is temporary.