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December 14th, 2012
06:17 PM ET
Massacre of children leaves many asking, 'Where’s God?'By Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editors (CNN) – As he waited with parents who feared that their kids were among the 20 children killed at a Connecticut elementary school on Friday, Rabbi Shaul Praver said the main thing he could do for parents was to merely be present. “It’s a terrible thing, families waiting to find out if their children made it out alive,” said Praver, who leads a synagogue in Newtown, Connecticut, and was among nine clergy gathered with parents at a firehouse near Sandy Hook Elementary School, where the shooting occurred. “They’re going to need a lot of help,” Praver said of those who are close to the dead. From the first moments after Friday’s massacre, which also left six adults and the shooter dead, religious leaders were among the first people to whom worried and grieving families turned for help. Over the weekend, countless more Americans will look to clergy as they struggle to process a tragedy in which so many of the victims were children. “Every single person who is watching the news today is asking ‘Where is God when this happens?’” says Max Lucado, a prominent Christian pastor and author based in San Antonio. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter Lucado says that pastors everywhere will be scrapping their scheduled Sunday sermons to address the massacre. “You have to address it - you have to turn everything you had planned upside down on Friday because that’s where people’s hearts are,” Lucado says. “The challenge here is to avoid the extremes – those who say there are easy answers and those who say there are no answers.” Indeed, many religious leaders on Friday stressed that the important thing is for clergy to support those who are suffering, not to rush into theological questions. A University of Connecticut professor on Friday hung up the phone when asked to discuss religious responses to suffering, saying, “This is an immense tragedy, and you want an academic speculating on the problem of evil?” “There is no good answer at that time that anyone can hear and comprehend and take in,” said Ian T. Douglas, the bishop for the Episcopal diocese of Connecticut, referring to counseling family and friends of the dead. “They’re crying out from a place of deep pain.” Praver, the rabbi, will join a memorial service Friday night at Newtown’s St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church. “We’re going to have a moment of prayer for the victims,” Praver said of the service. “We cannot let it crush our spirit and we march on.” Some national religious groups are also sending staff to Newtown, with 10 chaplains dispatched from the North Carolina-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on Friday. Public officials including President Obama, meanwhile, turned to the Bible in responding to the shooting. “In the words of Scripture, 'heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds,' ” Obama said from the White House, citing the book of Psalms. On Twitter, #PrayForNewton became a trending topic. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories Some religious leaders argue that modern American life insulates much of the nation from the kind of senseless death and suffering that plagues much of the world every day. “Most of the world, for most of the world’s history, has known tragedy and trauma in abundance,” wrote Rob Brendle, a Colorado pastor, in a commentary for CNN’s Belief Blog after this summer’s deadly shooting in Aurora, Colorado, which left 12 dead. “You don’t get nearly the same consternation in Burundi or Burma, because suffering is normal to there,” wrote Brendle, who pastored congregants after a deadly shooting at his church five years ago. “For us, though, God has become anesthetist-in-chief. To believe in him is to be excused from bad things.” My Take: This is where God was in Aurora Lucado said there was an eerie irony for the Connecticut tragedy coming just before Christmas, noting the Bible says that Jesus Christ’s birth was followed by an order from King Herod to slay boys under 2 in the Roman city of Bethlehem. “The Christmas story is that Jesus was born into a dark and impoverished world,” Lucado says. “His survival was surrounded by violence. The real Christmas story was pretty rough.” Many religious leaders framed Friday’s shooting as evidence for evil in the world and for human free will in the face of a sovereign God. “The Bible tells us the human heart is ‘wicked’ and ‘who can know it?’” the Rev. Franklin Graham said in a statement about the massacre. “My heart aches for the victims, their families and the entire community.” Many religious leaders also said that such tragedies are a good time for lay people to express doubts about God – or anger. “This is a time to go deep and pray,” says Lucado. “If you have a problem with God, shake a fist or two at him. If he’s God, he’s going to answer. And if he’s in control, he’ll find a way to let you know. soundoff (9,195 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 Next » |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Let's see...no prayer in school. No Christmas trees. No Christmas carols. We can teach the theory of Evolution, but cannot mention Creation. We are all too PC. We don't want to hurt other people's feelings because they may not believe in God, or they may believe is another god. This act was not caused by God, but by a person filled with evil. How many people are praying for the victims' families tonight? How many prayed for the victims before they went to school this morning? How many prayed for their own children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents this morning? How many will pray for the victims' families in a month? How many people will pray that our Nation's leaders do the right thing? Why wait for tragedy before turning to God? If you don't do anything else tonight, Google "John 3:16."
Absolutely correct.
Move to Iran then if you want to live in a theocracy.
I keep seeing people mentioning the theory of evolution. Please understand the difference between a normal THEORY and scientific THEORY. They are two completely different things. Your ignorance does not add validity to your argument.
Where is go?
He never existed. Based upon many individual's logic here earthquakes I am sure are due to god's hatred of the gays. Get real people. Your imaginary friend is a crutch you use to support your mediocrity nothing more.
I totally agree with you. But we both know that not one evil atheists will pray for those families who are in pain at this moment.
And yet those same atheists have the guts to come here and laugh at this situation and at people who are praying for others in need.
Yes, because America before its fall from power in the last decade was a theocracy. Dumb post.
I'm sorry, "Really?!", but "God" is an element of the mythology "John 3:16", therefore no result should be expected.
Look at the religious t-w-a-t-s.. posting bs of their babble and saying "it's solved in this passage." Hilarious stuff.
Schools are obliged to teach facts, not fiction. Governments should govern, not encourage mythology. What you do in private is your own business. Why are those concepts so fucking hard for you religious dunces to understand?
To 1400, how are atheists evil? How are we laughing at the ridiculous misery? This is a tragedy.
Simply because we don't believe in fairy tales?
You are right... First people get rid of God everywhere they can and then they ask where is He?
Well, He respects our wishes and He goes away, but He also weeps each time something like that happens.....
People get shot everywhere including churches. I'm sure at least some of these kids that were killed went to church. Why didn't god save them.
They teach science in schools not folktales get over it
This is for 1400.
You are completely wrong if you think atheists are laughing at this situation. While it's true that we won't be praying tonight, we grieve and are just as heartbroken over this as anyone. I've been crying all damn day! Do yourself a favor and do some real research on what an atheist or humanist is.
A lot of evil in our world today. Very sad. What is so nice is that God loves all people, even those of you that hate God and claim his non-existence. If some of you folks don't like John 3:16, try looking up 2 Chronicles 7:14.
@CPS
You atheists are just a bunch of hypocrites. I have not seen even one post of one of you making a good compassionate post about those families. All you posted were arguing about God and making fun of others. Hypocrites. Don't tell me that you are touched by this sad story. you'll just make you more an hypocrites than you already are.
@really?! I don't mean any harm but please put a cork in it. I bet you some of those kids went to church. Why didn't god save them?
1400, your posts read a lot like those of Brophy. Is this just another sock puppet?
If not, you appear to be about 14. And a not-very-bright 14 at that.
Monika, how do you know that he respects our wishes and goes away? Did someone tell you? Did god himself tell you? Did you read it in a newspaper? Are you just making this up? Tell us. Otherwise your post is just bullshit.
To Ken Margo...as smart as we all think we are, we simply cannot try to guess why things happen or why certain people were killed. We will never know. However, it is very important to recognize that a bunch of kids and adults were NOT killed. God was in that school regardless of our government trying to keep him out!
To CPS..atheists are not necessarily evil, just very sadly mistaken. ALL people do things that are wrong. The difference in atheists and Christians is that Christians are forgiven by the grace of God for their mistakes. This is a difficult concept for some people to understand, especially if you have hardened your heart to listening to God speak to you. Hopefully, as tragic as this event is, some people will be just a little bit curious about God and come to develop a relationship with God that will lead to their salvation. (Again, See John 3:16...it really is a great verse!)
@really?! So now you're saying god let 26 people die and saved the others! Unbelievable. And your name is really? You should change your name to delusional. How about this. How can we get god to save ALL of them next time?
Truth1117: "because America before its fall from power in the last decade was a theocracy. Dumb post."
Talk about dumb. The 1st Amendment is continuously challenged, but it has kept us out of trouble and NOT a theocracy just as intended from the beginning:
Every new & successful example therefore of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters, is of importance. And I have no doubt that every new example, will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Govt. will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.
The Civil Govt, tho' bereft of everything like an associated hierarchy, possesses the requisite stability and performs its functions with complete success, Whilst the number, the industry, and the morality of the Priesthood, & the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church from the State.
James Madison – chief architect of the U.S. Constitution
Well, Ken, I suppose we should all pray to God and ask for his protection. Although we are created in God's image, we are not able to comprehend why things happen as they do. I pray for my kids' safety, but I also pray that God's Will be done. We don't know why this horrible thing happened, but it is not for us to know why. Life is short. We are all one breath away from death. If you are not confident of what happens when you die, perhaps you can find some comfort in knowing that God does exist and has offered you eternal life. (See John 3:16)
@really?! ...................SCREW the after life. I'm not finished with this one yet. If these children are now in the presence of god, we should be happy and not sad that they died a horrible death.
Ken, rest assured, I have faith that these children are in a better place now. WE are on earth for just a short period of time. Eternity is a LONG time...judge yourself accordingly.
Quiz question #1
What does God want from you?
1. Go to church
2. Your money.
3. Save others
4. Work harder
5. Do more
6. You, he wants a relationship with you. That's it. Just a tiny bit of time every day.
Ans: 6
7. Realize that god is imaginary and live your life not depending on primitive desert myths.
A god doesn't need a relationship. A god can create any number of people to be their slaves.
It's a nice justification that you "want" that relationship. Dying is so lonely and that's why you idiots can't deal with it.
8. Where are all the white women at?
Signs you are in an abusive relationship
– Monitors what you're doing all the time
– Decides things for you that you should be allowed to decide (like what to wear or eat)
– Threatens to hurt you, or your children if you don’t love him
– Blames you for his or her violent outbursts or shortcomings
-Being s.e.xually controlling
– You have an impending sense of consequence that will come if you don't "obey."
-Tells you that you are “nothing” without him and you don’t deserve his love
@BAC,
nice post.
When those priests were molesting those boys, is that the "relationship" you are talking about?
So true. Many adults act like rebellious teens thinking they know different.
Funny now they are asking where is God? well he wasn't around when 20 something million died in World War one, and then again in World War two with another 20 something million dead, then the Korean War, Vietnam, Rwanda, Albania, Kosovo, Darfur and pretty much all the times where there was a great loss of lives, so one thing is clear he/she doesn't give a crap about us dying horribly and certainly doesn't care about any prayer unless you are a rich quarterback asking for a touchdown.
God didn't cause all those deaths. Humans did. God gave us free will. What we choose to do with it is on us. Evil breeds evil.
I'll pray for you Martin.
LOL
You're partly right. He doesn't care about death that's for sure. TBH Neither do I. I think is Son over came that frailty of these bodies. So yeah, death isn't really a thing to worry about.
How about we stop blaming God and hold ourselves accountable?
1% of prisoners are Atheist, 75% are Christian.
think of how all of those wars somehow related to religion. I think that is the worst thing we (man-kind) continuously have gone to war for
It is men who do such evil acts. We have free will and are capable of good and ill. God, too often, gets the blame for such happenings and this is not fair. He is just and loving being, just read the testimony of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. He is the example of goodness and love that none of us can live up to. He showed us the way, and men, sadly, do not always follow His example. The blame for this tragedy is the one who carried out this massacre; and he was a man.
Finally, as a former elementary and secondary teacher, it was heart breaking to find out about the loss of these wonderful and innocent children and their principal and teachers. So many lives lives were shattered by the act of this evil man. It is a sad for all of us.
He's asking for a touchdown because he cant throw one.
MAN created GOD!
IF you are stupid enough to believe in some invisible critter in the sky, you deserve all the pain and suffering that comes your way.
MAN needs to take care of his fellow MAN... and it is as simple as that!
And NOTHING created the random explosion that led to the creation of our world and life.
Oh yes that is working quite well isn't it? Maybe we should all pray to the almighty dollar.
P.S. You my friend, are arrogant.
Why does man NEED to take care of his fellow man? If I care to live, I only NEED to take care of myself, or others if it helps me. That's about it.
.
http://youtu.be/o2I84-A9duY
I hear that god helps he who helps himself. So stop waiting for Santa Claus and take some FN responsibility for yourself, your kids and your community.
Nah, not true.
Ya might of heard it, but it doesn't mean it's true or part of ... well.. anything.
Behold the mentality of the average christian who believes Yahweh/Jesus/Jehovah the primitive desert god is everywhere yet nowhere at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM5n8jESUEk
Atheism is a nasty evil plague. We should get rid of them.
Who's we, herbie? You and what army?
You moron. Who do you think has the money here?
Let's advocate more death.. <<– the christian mentality. So humble.
This isn't about atheism. I'm sure some of the victims went to church, some didn't. The issue is guns. WE NEED GUN CONTROLS NOW!
Oh good, a Talibangelist
There is no herbie.
Tomtom the dumbest atheist, you see i'm not like you. you have your little cheesemaker big mouth gang around all the time. I don't need an army, every time there's an atheist in front of me trying to show their teeth i made sure they won't ever the next time. That's the difference between you and me.
And just exactly how would you go about that ?
Don't be so intolerant. There are plenty of beliefs today, atheism is one of them and still be respected like your religion.
Awww, what a cute little troll you are! Gootchie, gootchie, goo!
So 1400 is a believer who murders. Wow. I see religion made him real moral. Keep your Jeebus in your pants, 1400.
@1400 You're internet tough. It's easy to talk tough on a keyboard. 20 kids died today. Stand up, let blood circulate your brain and come up with an solution.
Trolls are boring and dumb as hell; we should get rid of them.
No i'm not, i'm just mad to see stupid atheists laughing at people who believe in God and those who are praying for those families who have lost loved ones today. I know you atheist, you are tough behind a computer screen but i've seen some of you before and you're nothing but cowards. you are nobody, just a bunch of losers and cowards. Having a big mouth is your biggest strength.
@1400 Still no solution to the problem. Prayer didn't help the victims before the shooting, so it wont help them now. This isn't about being a atheist. Violence doesn't care about what you believe. We need solutions now.
those of you who believe in imaginary men in the sky should be prohibited from voting, holding public office, purchasing/owning firearms, teaching public school.... and accessing the interwebs.
tolerance of religious idiocy has to end.... and it is.
deal with it.
1400,
We may mock you and your beliefs.
You advocate "getting rid" of us.
And that is the difference between me and you. I would actually fight against anyone trying to outlaw religion or believers.
Start by supporting those in need and then you'll find solutions for this problem. Hypocrites. I have not yet seen one compassionate post made by one of you atheists. All you did were attacking people who are believers and making fun of them. Not one religious people came to back me up when i confronted you, simply because they knew i could take care of this alone. But look back and read my post and posting made by others. You ganged on them like 15 vs 1. And you have the guts to tell us that you atheists are good. I will tell you who you are, you are just a bunch of nasty little evil trash that has no morals and no life other than those nasty little manners of yours. Having a big mouth is the only strength you have. You keep calling God all kind of name and you curse him. But in reality you don't bring comfort to others, you don't even bring any good positives things to this society. We don't need your atheism anti-compassion ways. Find an island somewhere else where you will not be expose to God believers, you will be much happier. And we would be too.
Mark Twain said three things which are apropo here.
1. One should never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed person. So I won't.
2. When you argue with a fool, there are two fools in the argument. But I can't help myself.
3. Better to keep your mouth shut, and let people just think you're stupid, than to open it and remove all doubt. So please shut up.
@1400.................Still you offer no solution to the problem of mass shootings. Pray for the next victims now because it will happen again without a solution.
1400 – just simmer down princess.
we don't want you to shoot the place up in the name of your imaginary man in the sky.
lolz
This is exactly the response i was expecting from you atheists. Not one post made about those poor families in pain. You all came after me because it made you feel strong and feeling good. No wonder you're all just a bunch of cowards and losers. You should try to attack religious people face to face next time, instead of trying to make them look like fools from the internet. I'm sure you will find some people who can teach you some manners from time to time.
@1400..............You guys look like fools already. You don't need our help.
"..instead of trying to make them look like fools..."
look sparky – no one has to do anything to make those who are trapped in the god delusion look like fools. they do that all on their own without any help.
just like you, son.
the enemies of reason will be given no quarter.
tolerance of religious idiocy has to end – and it is.
deal with it.
To the anvil...God will prevail in the end. Eternity is a long time...do you know where you will spend it?
Really?!
we all spend eternity in the exact same way.
when we die – all of our neurons decay – and the electrochemical energy which powered all of those neurons obeys the laws of thermodynamics and dissipates out into the surrounding system – like smoke from a snuffed candle.
there is no mechanism to keep all of that energy coherent in the absence of the physical structure of the brain.
what does this mean?
it means when we die, we do not know about it. it means the organ you once used to think and know and remember and be with....ends. all the matter erodes and disintegrates. your brain dries up - all of its const'ituent molecules and all of its energy dissolves – permanently, forever.
we die and never have any awareness or knowledge of the fact – forever.
you may see your death coming. you may feel it wash over you – but it's the last thing you'll ever feel.
your death might be slow and you may experience a large release of brain chemicals and feel elation or imagine long lost loved ones greeting you or feel as if you're floating... of course – this all depends on your culture – the things you learned and experienced.....
but it stops.
you truly meet oblivion – it is not cold or black or anything.... you do not know about it on any level. you do not dream or ANYTHING – death is literally nothing – forever and ever.
but don't panic... there's good news in that. i know it's most likely beyond your capacity to comprehend the good news in the truth – as you are mired in the ugly, ignorant clutches of delusional thinking – but it's there – i assure you.
the bottom line here is – we all end up the same... we all spend eternity in the same manner...
we cease to exist.
there is no soul. there is no afterlife in any form. no resurrection, no reincarnation, no heavens, no hells, no purgatories, no limbos....
some people – when met with the truth for the first time feel that it's sad. it's only sad if you don't live up to your potential – or enjoy your life as much as you can.
our lives are precious and finite.
find wonder in the truth of this magnificent universe. stop looking to bronze-age ideas that have never once stood up to the scientific method and the truth of reality.
evolve.
Wait, so because evil exists, God doesn't?
Evil has nothing to with it. We are a species of animal. We are no different than lions, tigers or bears. After all the shootings we've had, this really shouldn't surprise you.
Wait, so because god/the bible/whatever isn't taught in public schools, he's abandoned us like a bratty child??
Look at the society we've created and look at the society lions created. I'm going to have to say we're a bit different.
A bit different, or bit worse?
Sam, God has not abandoned us...we have abandoned God! God is still here, and he still wants you to know that he loves you.
Hey..
@Moha Dar - aka freak hinduism pig
Where is the purest part of the human body? XD
I can show you my a-n-u-s.. but I don't want ya to stick anything in it.
You're just another little big mouth gay a-s-s son of a gun. Crawl back in your closet.
Someone's got a man-crush.
Hey Answer, take the Devil out of your a-n-u-s, goon
You like to label people I see. XD
The un-educated religious t-w-a-t who can't even present a good argument on why they believe. Try harder. Really really hard. XD
@Moh
So where is the purest part of the body? Go on.. explain it. Goon.
Easy, 1400. That funny feeling you're having in your no-no area might be against your religion.
Answer, I was wrong about you, I think your a-n-u-s is the purest place on your body, purer than your heart and mind, goon
Come on now people, use common sense! If there were a god don't you think he/she/it would have stopped this idiot from killing those 20 little innocent babies? What was he/she doing up in heaven, munching on popcorn, drinking beer and enjoying the show? I say if there is a god, he/she needs to show themself and stop hiding
Yeah its pretty hard to believe something like that, especially how people let their religion dictate their lives.
God didn't walk into that school and shoot those kids. Adam Lanza did.
God does show himself, but people are too caught up in their own lives to see God. He is here. Be still and listen.
A madman in China today attacked an elementary school with a knife and wounded 22 kids. He didn't have a gun, so no one died.
This country has more mass shootings than any other country. If that doesn't scream gun control I don't know what will.
Where is God? Exactly where you asked Him to be. NOT in schools, courts, etc.
Too bad you don't get that people came to this country to escape idiots like you. This is not a theocracy. If Mulsims were trying to put their god in the courts, YOU would be having a sh1t fit.
Maybe this was his golf day. I didn't see him there, however. But I did talk to him a lot. No answers, of course.
And certainly NOT in DOVER either. XD
God is where he always is. In the land of make believe. I was ridiculed after the last shootings when I stated we should get rid of the guns because they serve no useful purpose. I was called a nitwit, idiot amongst other things. I would like for the gun lovers to tell the surviving family members of senseless gun violence that "the guns aren't the problem".
My now standard answer:
So God gets his revenge by taking out 20 innocent school kids?
Do you realize how stupid that sounds?
John Adams, 2nd POTUS:
I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved – the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced! With the rational respect that is due to it, knavish priests have added prostitutions of it, that fill or might fill the blackest and bloodiest pages of human history. "
(from a letter to Thomas Jefferson, 09/03/1816)
Like
do not play god,change gun policy.
Enforce existing rules. We have a lot of drug policies in this country (or used to), that doesn't slow down the folks that want drugs. Do you really think more gun laws will keep guns away from the "bad guys?!"
Who exactly are you praying to? The god who stood by and allowed it! With his arms folded in apathy! Pray to a god that will comfort their sorrow but couldn't lift a finger to stop the murderer of 20+ kids?
Don't pray over what happened today in CT, instead do something useful like discuss with your kids, friends, family, neighbors and complete strangers about the cause of this tragic action and how best we as a society can move forward and prevent further tragedies.
I always questioned free will. This is the crust of every argument Christians make about evils that occurs in this world. Free will is critical in defending the religious dogma. God gave us free will, so the blame doesn't fall on its maker. Then why does he create people devoid of free will...I.e. the mentally ill. We in our court system recognize that some mentally ill patients do not truly know right from wrong, therefore don't truly have free will.
Take the original sin for example...Adam and Eve. Did they have free will. I argue that they really didn't possess free will, until they consumed that apple which contained the knowledge of good and evil. They only realized their sins once the deed was done, both were ashamed and hiding from god. Catch 22 – can't know right from wrong until they eat that damn apple. Illogical...o wait...god works in mysterious ways.
Yet science is making progress in this area. They have recently tested...on a limited basis that some people can actually under deep hypnosis, be made to act against their free will. I will have to look for further evidence before believing this.
If free will is that damned important, you would think that god will make sure, at the vey least, that all humans retained their free wills without exception.
you are way over thinking it. It's much simpler, but you know this. You just don't want peace or you can't believe you're not in total control. No worries though. Once you realize what control you have, finding peace is easier.
Benjamen Libet, and many Neuro-scientists have debunked free will. No such thing. Humans are not even conscious of the elements of what goes into a decision. That is not "free will". It's a war in the subconscious.
You just answered your own question "Yet science is making progress in this area. They have recently tested...on a limited basis that some people can actually under deep hypnosis, be made to act against their free will." We have no idea what is causing this increase in mental illness/violence in society. But I can assure you that broken families, drug/alcohol use, the violence we are exposed to on a daily basis is not helping!!
LA: You missed the point of this post...you and so many of you so blinded by unwavering faith. The nature of free will. Free will is the foundation of many religions. You must have free will to prove your worthiness to god. Let me put it this way...if I were your professor and told you that you must complete this final exam or you will fail, but tied both your hands behind your back, making it impossible for you to take the exam, would that be a real test of your abilities? If I were the professor, I would make sure that anyone subject to my test are at least able to take my test. In other words, without exception, no matter what deficiencies we have, we have, at the very least, the ability to make choices-know right from wrong, have FREE WILL, otherwise what is the purpose of breathing, if we can't be tested by god
How about people suffering from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, dementia, mental handicapped. Do they have free will? Why include these folks in god's test – what we call life. What's the point of their existence? Whole point of human existence, according to the religious,, is to be tested by god to prove our worthiness in his eyes. I know this concept is lost on most Christians. I know it is losing battle. I was once a devout Christian, until I had my first child. This forced me to actually read the bible (not just the parts recommended by my congregation), since I wanted to be able to teach my son the word of the bible. I was probably like many Christians who have read some of the bible, but not inside and out.
Before making a personal commitment, please read the entire text of the bible and not just the inspirational parts and judge for yourselves. I am a reborned humanists.
who is to say god is real? and who is to say he isn't? so i say pick a side, be happy with it, and don't criticize others for their decisions even if you think their wrong and you think your right.
what is real?
hey idio .. it's they're and you're. Please get a Third Grade education.
I have faith that I am right. That's enough for me.
People in this country have done everything they can to push God out of schools, public, media, and government and now your asking where he is?
So God gets his revenge by killing a bunch of innocent kids? Do you realize how retarded you sound?
Did I mention the word revenge? Im saying God is where the country asked Him to be. Out of it.
they are confused and don't get your intent.
I'm willing to bet that the majority of those kids cane from Christian families, and that fool didn't shoot up the building, he shot at the KIDS.
Do you not understand that those kids can, and DO pray in schools?
It is not a requirment anymore.
Get real.
So...pushing him out of schools and the media caused him to 1)not exist or 2)decide not to help.
That is one pouty, weak god you have there.
On this day of tragedy, millions of children will return home and receive huge hugs and love from their parents. They will have dinner together, and meaningful conversations where fear and confusion is met with love and patience. After being tucked in and kissed, the parents will sit and talk with each other, focusing on the love in their family and how to do better. My hope is that this family beauty, resulting from such ugliness, grows as never before. That families grow tighter, communities come together, and the love that carries us during such difficulty grows greater. Love that flows to neighbors, communities, and those that are in such desperate need to know that they are cared for. Love will break the cycle of the violence we see all too often, and it begins in the family bond. God bless.
Amen
Where's god? Where he's always been. Nowhere. If there is a god and it look like there isn't he should be able to speak for himself. After all there are millions that profess to speak for him but...........he never seems to speak for himself. What do you conclude? I conclude that the referenced character aka as god doesn't exist. Therefore, all of you believers need to get to work and start working on talking to your reps in Congress and in the Senate to change the laws, since god doesn't seem very good at this sort of thing. It won't bring your kids back but maybe it will save some others. One thing is for sure god isn't going to help you here but your reps in Washington might.