All For The Glory of God
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I just finished reading another story about yet another horrible accident that resulted in yet even more untimely deaths.
The details are not important, suffice to say that those who died quickly were far more fortunate than the rest who lingered on for a while. The responses to stories like these from the fundamental Christian community come in two forms. Both are equally ludicrous.
From one point of view, there exists the belief that those individuals who died were somehow “better off.” Such was the case about a recently engaged couple who died together in a fiery crash on an interstate. Their Pastor said that it would “easier” for the couple who was engaged to be married having died together, instead of one having to live without the other. His expressed thankfulness to his God that one of them was not left behind, that both get to go to heaven together.
What irks me to no end are those who believe that their god not only know that people are going to die these horrific deaths, such as being burned alive after suffering painful injuries, but that god had actually planned it. They simply accept it as the will of God, not an accident, or an act of terrorism, or a murder, etc
There is absolutely nothing even remotely intelligent about either one of these points of view. How many times do you need to get your ass kicked before you realize that the person kicking your ass does not have your best interests in mind?
When I read stories that include comments from fundamental Christians that actually believe that god was looking out for their best interests and that somehow this is a test of faith or a way to bring them together or some other ridiculous notion, I just want to reach into my monitor and shake some sense into them. Particularly the ones who believe that the death and suffering of humanity somehow brings glory to their god. Just like the death of Cassie Bernall in Columbine, of those on September 11th, 2001, of King David’s “ten thousand,” and all the other war stories about the murder of hundreds of thousands of people in the bible.
Finally don’t forget about the ridiculous myth of the biblical flood that caused the wholesale slaughter of the entire human race, save one family.
All for the glory of god…
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Elusive Truth, Not all of us in the deep south believe like that. Rue I am truly sorry for your pain. My mother also suffers from Alzheimer’s and it is difficult to see her wandering around in her own mind. Those who use the God’s plan idea are trying to make it easier on themselves in their own selfish way. They don’t realize that for others they make it more difficult to except. Death is nothing more than a part of the life cycle that is often harder on those of us left behind than on the one that died.
The bible bangers that live in places like South Carolina and the rest of the Deep South, are not just the poor and ignorant. Belief in the god delusion can be seen in all walks of life and in all cultural strata. It’s dangerous to open declare a non-belief in this part of the country.
This hit really close to home and I’ll tell you why (even though I don’t actually need to, but oh well…): My grandfather is dying. He’s in his mid 80s, a war veteran, with Alzheimers, and suffering these horrible flash backs to World War Two. And you know what my sister said? It’s all for the best, God has everything planned. I have no clue how she can say that (blind faith, anyone?) while in the living room while he, the strongest man in the world (to me, anyways), is calling out desperately for help, thinking he or one of his friends is hurt in a war zone. If God is real, he is malevolent and, like you said, does not have our best interest in mind.
Sorry for the rant, guess it turned into a venting session for me. Oops.
Rue, I’m so sorry to hear of your grandfather’s condition. Al–thank you for stating so eloquently how so many of us feel. People can believe in whatever divine power they wish, but rather than placing fate in god’s hands they would be better served (and better servants, if they’re of that mindset) by seeking to understand man’s role in human suffering, and accepting responsibility for doing what is in our power to alleviate it.
Well said Greenlight. A self-expressed belief in a deity is often little more than an excuse to explain what is not learned and an excuse to refuse to accept responsibility for one’s actions.
I am also sorry to hear about your grandfather Rue but honored that you chose to express your feelings in this forum. As we both know “god” didn’t have anything to do with anything. People are born, they live and they die, just like any biological entity. I wish you all the best in this troubled time.