Why do evangelicals have a compulsive need to believe God controls everything

[betterdemsonly]

It is not part of the gospel message that God controls everything, yet it is dominant in American evangelicalism.

The lady that caught the Charleston killer believes God did it, not her. If God helped that lady catch Dylann Storm Roof, why did he allow the murders to happen in the first place? They aren't even making God look good to the unchurched, when they claim s/he micromanages everything, because then they have to explain God not intervening at other times.

Then you have evangelical athletes who always want to believe God is responsible for their victories. The Golden Warriors made this claim.

I am a believer myself, but I don't believe God micromanages this earth. What gives? I think it is the proserity gospel or american calvinism.

[LiberalElite]

1. there's a saying -

God gets all the credit and none of the blame.

I wonder about this myself. A co-worker's son in the Army in Afghanistan was seriously injured when the armored vehicle he was traveling in hit an IED. Some of the other soldiers died. So she said he was "blessed". I had to wonder why God didn't "bless" the others.

[Takket]

2. I guess God doesn't care if his children are butchered

But he does want the killer prosecuted? I can't imagine being okay with someone shooting my child in front of my own eyes (since god sees everything) as long as they are prosecuted.

[Vinca]

3. When confronted about such lunacy and why God might have allowed the murders,

they always say "it's a test." It makes no sense to this old atheist.

[Marrah_G]

4. Except bad things...those are never god's fault.

[KG]

5. the concept of people praying about a slaughter that took place in a church bends my brain a bit

[GreatGazoo]

6. They want to believe that life is fair, the way a 4 year-old child does.

They flip 'if you are bad, bad things happen to you' over into: 'if bad things happen to you, you deserve it because you did something bad.' Like reverse Kharma.

It fits into capitalism and starting gate theory and all -- they extend it to 'rich people are better than everyone else and poor people need more discipline / punishment.'

This question always reminds me of this bit:

[betterdemsonly]

8. Yes, it relates to capitalism's corruption of faith

If she were saying that God acts through human action she would be taking moral responsibity, but then God wouldn't be in control if she said that. It is pretty warped. What she did was undoubtedly heroic but it would not have happened unless she took responsibility, and that is not in God's control. That is free will.

[JonLP24]

7. You won't believe how far they go

I'll re-post what I have in another thread

For years I wondered why the Ugandan nationals were given a rifle with a bullet proof vest to guard Baghdad International Airport (the checkpoint going on -- I was there and saw for my own eyes). I didn't think of it as much more than a quirk because all the others were trafficked, abused, and exploited and treated as if they were all potential terrorists (most come from India, Nepal, Phillipines, and some North African countries. I'm starting to get a better understanding of why and it starts with Inhofe.

From Booklist
Even after the sexual affairs of several congressmen brought the Fellowship (and its D.C. residence on C Street) into the light, most Americans have still never heard of this elitist fundamentalist organization. Even those who have will have trouble getting their heads around a mostly faceless organization whose goal is to convert the world to a trickle-down Christianity, as Sharlet calls it, where God has chosen the leaders (them) and everyone else follows. With our leaders somehow prechosen, it makes it easier to forgive their transgressions (the Fellowship, for example, has no problem working with heads of state like Haiti’s Papa Doc Duvalier and those in present-day Uganda, who advocate the death penalty for homosexuals).That this heavily financed, multilayered organization has been operating for decades—and today is actively implanted within the U.S. military—makes this well-documented, probing investigation even more mind-bending. Mostly, those in the Fellowship don’t talk. Maybe now the discussion will start. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: When the affairs of Fellowship members Senator John Ensign R-Nev. and South Carolina governor Mark Sanford broke, Sharlet’s book The Family became a best-seller. His follow-up is sure to attract similar attention. --Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316091065/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0316091065&linkCode=as2&tag=thenewcivrigm-20&linkId=UO6OIXAM23KZKSLI

More recently this is what is going on in Uganda -- 'I Kill Them!': HBO's VICE Goes To Uganda To See What American Anti-Gay Christians Have Created

American Christian extremists have found a willing host in Uganda, where they have so dramatically affected the culture that average citizens now consider raping and killing gay people a duty.

The latest episode of HBO's VICE, "A Prayer for Uganda," exposes what American Christian extremists, like Scott Lively, have done to the country of Uganda. A poor, landlocked nation of about 37 million people, Uganda has become synonymous with its "Kill The Gays" bill, that was debated for year, generating international condemnation and fear. It became law and then was tossed out by the Ugandan Supreme Court, but only on a technicality.

VICE interviews Member of Parliament David Bahati (image, top left), who authored the bill. "Homosexuality is evil," he says. Bahati is a member of the secretive Washington, D.C. based organization known as The Family, which has helped to coordinate the war against LGBT people in Uganda.

Author and professor Jeff Sharlet, also featured in the VICE episode, exposed their work and their members – several of whom are U.S. Congressmen and Senators who take up residence at a luxury C Street boarding house – in his books, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, and C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy. Among them? U.S. Senator James Inhofe, who, VICE reports, has traveled to Uganda at least 135 times.

http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/_i_kill_them_hbo_s_vice_goes_to_uganda_to_see_what_american_anti_gay_christians_have_created

More than the horrifying reality and it is very disturbing as the woman journalists quickly got uncomfortable hearing them talk about lesbians need a rape. I thought it was bad real but they are simulating sex in front of children with the guy walking away with a bloody diaper or girls taught that being a lesbian will prevent them having a child -- taught there are 10 or so unique cancers that target only homosexuals.

THE U.S. CHRISTIAN RIGHT AND THE ATTACK
ON SEXUAL MINORITIES AND WOMEN IN AFRICA

U.S. conservatives’ exportation of the culture wars to Africa has been building for decades. Our dedicated researchers have been working to uncover and expose those in the U.S. who are using their dangerous rhetoric aggressive interventions to devastate the lives of so many overseas.

The battle for social justice isn’t just here at home, it’s global. Read on to see what the Right is doing!
- See more at: http://www.politicalresearch.org/Africa/#sthash.wWaW8bTv.dpuf

This is from the VICE journalist that cover the situation and it truly was a disturbing. On HBO so difficult to find for free.

VICE correspondent Isobel Yeung – that's her face in the top right image – interviewed poor, working class men. She wrote later, "I don't ever recall feeling as heartbroken as the week we spent shooting this."

The men tell her that the first thing she needs to know about their culture is "we hate is homosexuality." That is the first thing of which they are proud. Not arts, science, their families, their heritage – not even their perverted interpretation of Christianity.

Previews at the top link -- I encourage to find a way to watch it if at all possible. At-least they're putting hard work, effort, dedication and consistent play and giving god all the credit -- the "corrective rapes" takes control to whole 'nother level and we have the likes of Inhofe to thanks.

[kentuck]

9. Because people feel they have no control over anything...

and if no one is in control, when do we go off the cliff??

[99Forever]

10. Religion is nothing more than a way to control others.

Period.

None of it holds up to even the slightest test of logic. It is pablum for the masses.

[Human101948]

18. I agree with this...and would add that

the people who profess this type of faith like the all controlling God because they actually control God. For example, "I hate homos because God told me so." Can't argue with God, right?

I remember one of the DU members recounting his time boarding with some fundies who would argue over the dinner table, each stating that he or she had personally spoken with Jesus who just happened to agree with their view of how things should be. Everyone claimed the high ground by invoking Jesus.

[Archae]

11. It also lets people dodge responsibility.

"We can do anything we want, 'cuz Jay-zus is comin' soon, and everyt'ing will be all hunky-dory!"

[ChairmanAgnostic]

21. Exactly, especially when their predictions and promises go awry:

Pray for me and give me money, and you shall be cured of diabetes!

No? Well, you didn't pray hard enough, oh, and god's will 'n shit.

Or is it God swill?

[DetlefK]

12. Because then you can claim a direct connection between you and God.

Scenario 1: God launches the day. You happen to miss your plane and the plane crashes. Improbable? Yes. Does it make you someone special? No.

Scenario 2: God makes your keys drop behind the bed, which makes you arrive late, which makes you miss the plane. The plane crashes. Improbable? Yes. Does it make you someone special? Yes.



Imagine someone telling a story how he met a celebrity.
Is he telling this story to relay how special the celebrity is?
Or is he telling the story to relay how special he himself is?

[betterdemsonly]

15. Interesting point.

The prosperity gospel as passive agressive narcissism.

[hatrack]

13. NFL Star Thanks Jesus After Successful Double Homicide

CHARLESTON, SC–Washington Redskins defensive end D'Aundré Banks gave "all thanks and praise to my personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" Monday for giving him the strength he needed to fatally stab bouncer Isaac Edmonds and ex-girlfriend Pamela Hamilton outside a Charleston nightclub early Sunday morning.

All glory to Jesus," the 25-year-old Banks, who attended the University of South Carolina, told reporters from his cell in the Charleston County Jail. "He is with me in this dark hour, as He was in our devastating 14-13 playoff loss to the Buccaneers. His love will see me through this."

According to police reports, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a visibly intoxicated Banks became involved in an altercation with Edmonds regarding who would accompany Hamilton home. When Edmonds attempted to restrain Banks, the 288-pound devout Christian produced a knife and stabbed Edmonds and Hamilton repeatedly. He then fled to the home of girlfriend and Hooters waitress Lisa Nolan in nearby Summerville, where police arrested him several hours later.

"First off, I'd like to say 'great job' to Isaac and Pamela, who put up a heck of a fight and have nothing to be ashamed of," Banks said. "They were terrific opponents, and it's too bad somebody had to lose a life. But the Lord Jesus Christ was truly with me Saturday night. He guided my hand when I was able to make that big hit on Isaac, and I really felt His presence when I stepped up and made that great slashing cut to bring Pamela down from behind."

Added Banks: "Jesus really let me take this homicide to the next level. Thank you, Jesus!"

EDIT

http://www.theonion.com/article/nfl-star-thanks-jesus-after-successful-double-homi-428

[jomin41]

16. Sometimes the Onion really sinks that knife. nt

[Turbineguy]

14. It relieves them of

responsibility.

[Warren Stupidity]

17. It is part of their theology.

Many mainstream protestant faiths believe in a deity that intervenes actively in the world. It might not be part of what you believe in, but that is the thing about religion: you can believe any bullshit you want.

[ananda]

19. It's a projection of their own need.

..

[malaise]

20. Simple - they bought the Kool-aid

People are gullible and many are seeking a balm from wherever.
I am an atheist.

[Maeve]

22. It is an attempt to make sense of chaos

If Someone is in charge, if there is a Plan, but it's too complicated for us to see (the analogy often used is that it's like we're on the back of the needlework with the knots and loose threads and can't see the overall pattern and beauty)--then someday this will all make sense. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people (and shit happens to everyone), but in the end all will be well and all will be well and all manner of things will be well. It can be a very comforting philosophy; do your best and trust that it will all work out.

The idea that God cares for everything, even the grass and flowers that will be gone tomorrow is gospel, altho it has been stretched all out of shape. He cares, He just doesn't interfere constantly; like a playwriter who watches actors on a stage messing up their roles, stepping in only to nudge them back on track. The murders "were allowed" because of "free will" and humans are expected to fix human screw-ups. (I was raised in this faith, I'm just not sure what I believe anymore, so I won't argue it beyond this).

[yallerdawg]

23. Faith has nothing to do with facts and reality.

Faith is firm belief in the absence of proof.

We make 'leaps of faith' everyday.

I say, "Whatever works!" If some kind of faith gives you comfort and makes your life better, good for you.

For many of us, faith is a gift we have yet to receive.