Average Thoughts

Prayer, Helping and Swimming Upstream 

A short time ago, another national tragedy happened. A deranged man went into a school and killed many small children. This is despicable, horrifying and just downright sad. The reactions were also fairly sad as well.

1) The media stormed the scene, giving the now dead gunman all the attention he wanted to get. It glorified the shooter, not the victims. The media outlets interviewed small children. Children who have no idea the gravity of the situation. Parents had to consent to these interviews. Those parents are misguided at best, and pitifully off-target at protecting their children’s minds at the worst. 

2) Armchair quarterbacks think that no one should have guns. They believe that personal freedoms are less important than societal safety (For the record, I’m not sure what the answer is. I don’t think it is banning all guns. I also don’t think it is what we have now. There is a middle ground here, but I am not sure what it is. Still thinking). 

3) (The point) People said to PRAY for those affected by this terrible event in human history. 

Stop. Hammer time. 

Anyone who said this, think. Just for a second. Let’s assume a few things. First, you are likely a christian of some flavor. Second, that makes the bible your source for divine knowledge, guidance and moral rules. Third, that same bible contains a story about god and what he can or cannot do. Fourth, your logic of praying makes literally no sense (even if you approach this from your belief structure). 

God knows everything that is going to happen. 

God knew that this particular act was going to happen. 

God did not want to stop this event, for some reason. 

God was unable to stop this event, for some reason. 

For the atheist, all of these are really simple to solve. There is no god. For the Christian, these are fundamental errors sitting in their way of worship. 

God knows everything that is going to happen and therefore knew that this was going to happen. Well, this sucks. You’re saying that was part of God’s PLAN? To kill children? Well, it is not really too far outside of his character (read: old testament) to do this. This is the most likely scenario. 

God did not want to stop this event. This is kinda a crapshoot for the christian. If he did not want to stop this event, then he’s pretty fucking evil. One officer of the law could have stopped this man had he been aware this was going to happen. 

God was unable to stop this event. Even worse. I could have stopped this event with a well placed flat tire to the shooter’s vehicle. Shit, god could have made him have a heart attack or run a red light. 

Which leads into my final point: regardless of which of the above is true, your praying is useless. Giving one small child a hug is infinitely more helpful than your praying. Encouraging others to pray is pretty much like swimming up a river in a 1000 person canoe. It’s stupid, useless and a giant waste of a canoe. 

 PS: To the loopholers out there who might claim that god gave this person free will, blah blah blah, therefore he wants to unite the world with some kind of show or unifying event to allow us to pray, REALLY? If you’re right (and I really deeply hope you aren’t) then that god guy is an asshole. Doesn’t deserve worship at all.