Comments on: “God Really Took Care Of Me”

By: NDM

NDM — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:56:15 +0000

I prefer the Hartshorne/process theology idea of God “nudging” (my term) us towards possibilities rather than 1. pulling the puppet strings or 2. having no presence in our lives at all.

So in that sense, I could give God co-credit (well I am a Unitarian, some hubris is necessary!).

By: Kristen

Kristen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:55:56 +0000

As an actual non-UU theist, I can attest that there are people who can see the tender hand of God protecting them without that leading to them sitting around passively waiting for rescue (as Ms. Gibson clearly did not!) or going into a tailspin when bad things happen (to them or someone else).

There certainly are people whose theology is unsophisticated enough that it can’t handle the evils of life — but in my experience surprisingly few. Maybe that’s not so surprising, since the more naive version of “God’s hand is protecting me, everything will always be just fine” doesn’t end up lasting long in the real world.

By: Comrade Kevin

Comrade Kevin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:18:21 +0000

Refreshingly diplomatic and tactful!

You have a knack for being able to bridge the gap and balance difficult issues without resorting to attacks and I have much to learn from you.

As for me, I do believe strongly in Providence and fate/destiny, but what serves as some comfort to me is that I always keep in mind that life will sometimes be good, but it will never be fair. Trusting in God and believing that I’m part of some greater plan does not make me feel as though I’m being betrayed if something bad happens to me despite my best intentions towards good.

Who among us really knows for sure? I have my theory and you yours, but I say, what is true for one is not always true for all.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:51:29 +0000

It make me think of one of my favorite jokes:

In town near the water there was a warning of a flood. The meteorologist advised everyone to evacuate the area, but one man stayed behind saying God would save him. The police came door to door to evacuate, but he refused saying God would save him. Soon enough the water started flooding the area. A rescue team in a boat came by to save the man, but he stayed saying God would save him. The waters kept coming and soon the man was on his roof and a helicopter came to save him, but he stayed saying God would save him. The waters then swept him off his roof and he drown. When he got to heaven he asked God “why did you not save me?” God said, I gave you a warning, I sent the police, I sent a boat and a helicopter, but you refused them all.

I heard this joke as a kid ( way before Katerina, which now makes this joke tragic) and I remember thinking that God is in all of us. I also think it is a reminder that we need to look out for ourselves and use our God given abilities such as intuition to get ourselves out of situations. We were given a brain for a reason, why not use it!

By: Mars Girl

Mars Girl — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:08:09 +0000

I think I say “Thank God” almost by reflex. Even the years I lived as a true-blue atheist, I still used the phrase. I think I once consciously tried to switch to “Thank Goodness!” but in a tight situation, “Thank God” just fell out of my lips. I was raised Catholic, though, so, I dont know, maybe the expression is just interwoven into my being now. Even though my vision of a god these days is more deist–it’s a power that creates life, but it’s not really paying much attention to the minute details of my life.

By: StevenR

StevenR — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:29:47 +0000

Ok, true confession: when my fat is pulled out of the fire, I often thank God as well. yeah, it;s not logical, it may not be brainy, but there you go.
I certainly dont curse God if a lucky break doesnt come my way. Is there any real reason to think Ms. Gibson might? Or that she is someone who feels those who suffer deserves it?
Even theists know they will have suffering, pain and death - that it will strike all, including them.

By: John Pageless

John Pageless — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:33:11 +0000

Hello Folks,
Has it ever occurred to anyone that perhaps the feeling of gratitude is healthy to express? While thanking God isn’t the most logical way to express that emotion, emotions aren’t exactly logical by their very nature. I find the whole think to be splitting hairs… She’s alive and thankful. Whether she thanks God or her mother for teaching her to have good sense, it doesn’t change the fact that she feels thankful. Just my observation.

Namaste.

By: Chalicechick

Chalicechick — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:14:15 +0000

Brainy Smurf is
this guy

I would so be up for the God of Irony line, except I can’t imagine the mail I would get from well-meaning people trying to convince me how wrong I was.

By: James

James — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:45:41 +0000

I’m up for spontaneous expressions of gratitude.

But unpacking the theology behind such expressions takes one in some very unsavory directions, toward a god I would not want to meet in a dark alley.

Frankly the questions of theodicy are the classic stumbling block of any theist assertions. At least for me…

By: h sofia

h sofia — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:25:52 +0000

Uggh. Count me in as a brainy existentialist type. It doesn’t make me angry or anything, because people do have the right to believe in whatever God they desire. However, it reminds me of those people who got out of the WTC towers during 9/11 and went on tv insisting that it was all due to Christ; Jesus wanted them to live. I’m not able to be as magnanimous as you, Peacebang. You know how some folks feel all angry about “The Secret?” That was how I felt! Times like, five hundred.

Just once, my shadow side would love to see someone on tv after a horrific ordeal who admits, “I think this happened because the One True God is the God of Irony - and He hates me!”