Is suffering ranked? Are some types of suffering more valid than others?
In this episode, Dr. Betters answers the question, "For many years I've heard you say that losing a child is the worst possible pain anyone could ever go through. Does that mean that suffering is ranked? Or that various types of suffering are more valid than others? For years after hearing that repeatedly, I did not think my suffering was valid because I did not lose a child or have cancer. But I was suffering and I didn't have a category to put it in. My suffering has increased dramatically over the years, and I don't think anyone now could look me in the eye and seriously say my suffering isn't valid. But is it somehow less worthy since it's not the worst thing that could possibly happen to a person?"