Why when something terrible happens, to people have to

[elshiva]

say "this proves there is no god." Such comments are usually followed by making fun of athletes who thank God for winning.

But can't you see it's just the other side of the same coin. Something bad happens, rape-there is no god. With I just scored a goal-got a job-had a baby-am healthy- there is a god.

It's just one of those cliches that I hate about God and religion.

The one I REALLY HATE IS "there are no atheists in foxholes." There are plenty of atheists in foxholes and other dangerous positions thank you very much.

[skater314159]

1. Short answer - they suck...

longer answer - they REALLY suck.

But I've heard believers say worse things (I just finished up my Internship at a Hospital, and BOY do I have stories!). For example, I was providing pastoral care to a couple who had just lost a child... it was their seventh pre-natal loss. They were devistated - and one individual (Christian) who wanted to provide solace and comfort said "That's okay, God must've needed another angel!". While I was standing there, mouth gaping wide open, wanting to slap them (thank goodness I'm a pacifist!) they followed up with the even better "well, at least you can try again!". I contained myself and had that person removed from the room and then had to help the family to regain composure. (That person got assigned to a different unit in the hospital, but I don't think they should work around anyone who has experienced loss of ANY kind!).

I think though, to get back to your question, that people, when they experience something earth-shattering, try to make it "managable" or "understandable". You might think that the hard part about being a chaplain is that we minister to people of all faiths (including none!) and try to help them come to terms with things in a way that is true to their faith path... it isn't. The REALLY hard part is telling people that sometimes shitty things happen, and there is no cause, there's noone to blame, and there is nothing that can be done to explain it. It is just life, and that just as we embrace the joys, we need to embrace the sorrow, loss, pain and suffering - because they are also part of the beautiful mosaic that is human life.

Hope that helped some.
skater314159
:hippie:

[elshiva]

2. Thank you. But I have further question...

you wrote "that sometimes shitty things happen, and there is no cause, there's noone to blame, and there is nothing that can be done to explain it." How powerful is God? Is God all powerful? How does God choose to cure some one and another not?

God seems to be a loving God and very powerful, but I don't think he can control everything. Free will has to enter into situations. Also, I don't think nature is God's puppet.

I appreciate your thoughts, thank you.