> Natural disasters. That's an interesting point. Would such things have happened, had sin not entered the world? We could discuss this one for years, never coming to a final conclusion, I think. We are not told what *might* have happened. BTW: This concept is fairly good evidence that there are no other inhabited planets in this universe. No other free-will beings should be punished by our sin - nor should we by theirs - and all through the universe signs are visible of the groaning.

I don't think "should" counts for much here. One of the consequences of evil is that it has ramifications on others, whether or not they are involved. A great example is of Jonah, who fled God's calling and, as a consequence, was shipwrecked and eaten by a big fish (maybe a whale, but this isn't certain). But what about the other people on the ship? It's possible that they were also being punished for their own evil with the same shipwreck, but this is pure speculation. I personally don't believe that all bad things are "punishment." Many may be natural *consequences* of sin, but sometimes those consequences aren't even of our *own* sin.

I don't personally believe in other free will species elsewhere in the universe, but I don't see this as being the reason why. If there *were* others, it wouldn't be inconceivable that they are feeling the effects of our sin, even if they themselves are innocent. It's not just, but justice in this life was never a promise God made; it's in the next one that wrongs are righted.