Be Thankful...

[gambrinus]

If you think you have it rough, read this and be thankful you aren't in this situation.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04256/377724.stm

Straight from this mornings newspaper. Not some hokey made up tale that's been fwd around the web a million times..

[MarkF]

AMEN!

[ian408]

Wow :cry

If there's a god, let's hope Mr. Parsons is quickly reassigned to
Pittsburgh.

Ian

[gambrinus]

I was talking with some friends about the story and we were thinking that the U.S. Senators from Pennsylvania will probably be getting a flood of phone calls today to ensure that this happens.

RW

[username]

Originally posted by ian408
Wow :cry

If there's a god, let's hope Mr. Parsons is quickly reassigned to
Pittsburgh.

Ian

ian - the article says it's "job-like" so if there is a god, and it's the old testament christian diety, this guy might just be getting started with all the testing. it'll likely get worse before it gets better.

if it's the new testament christian diety, never mind.

[basketcase]

Hmm. I seem to recall that in the Old Testament, Job was ultimately vindicated, and his "Latter end was greater than his beginning." He indeed suffered and lost much. Yet he was faithful in his deportment towards the Creator, and the same Creator was with him in his darkest trials.

There is an undercurrent of hope in that.

And in the New Testament, my take is that the influence of God is not so much to take away suffering -- as if there is some idyllic life to be enjoyed by a few, but rather, it is the very presence of God with the individual in crisis that brings the ability to cope with any circumstances. Different covenant, same promise: "No matter what you face, I am with you."

I always find myself a bit intrigued when people who ordinarily scoff at the possibility of God turn to God-bashing when they see something like this couple. Somehow, the scoffing/bashing positions seem incompatiable when held forth by the same person. Interestingly, the classical theologian, and the contemporary psychologist, would both say the position is "logically irrational."

The couple in question is indeed dealing with things most of us cannot begin to comprehend. For my part, they have my prayers and hopes for the very best that can come to them.

[ian408]

Regardless of your belief, it sure would be nice to see the couple
able to face this together than separated. I cannot imagine the
pain distance adds.

Ian

[bobinillinois]

Originally posted by RickM
I always find myself a bit intrigued when people who ordinarily scoff at the possibility of God turn to God-bashing when they see something like this couple. Somehow, the scoffing/bashing positions seem incompatiable when held forth by the same person. Interestingly, the classical theologian, and the contemporary psychologist, would both say the position is "logically irrational."


Rick,

I agree that it would be logically inconsistent to criticize something which you claim does not exist. My suspicion is that most atheists do not criticize God for just that reason. I would guess that what begins as God-bashing (criticism of the traditional concept of an all powerful, all loving God) due to situations like this one in which seemingly innocent people suffer excessively, sometimes leads to total rejection of that God (atheism).

I must admit that I am a bit surprised that you would really expect to find logical consistency in a discussion of theology.;)

Bob

[kbasa]

Originally posted by ian408
Regardless of your belief, it sure would be nice to see the couple
able to face this together than separated. I cannot imagine the
pain distance adds.

Ian

Utter helplessness probably weighs on his mind like a lead block.

[basketcase]

Power is intermittent because of the Hurricane, but I'll fire off a quick note.

It can be difficult to rationally discuss theology, and at some point, analogy that helps us grasp it breaks down, so we are forced to express faith as an acceptance of what is not known, based on the certainty of what is known.

"Helplessness" would weigh on my mind, too.

Regarding the biblical record, Job is normally held forth as one who did not question God in the midst of his circumstances.

On the other hand, Jesus did question God before enduring the cross.

Somewhere between the two poles (blind acceptance vs. arbitrary rejection) is the healthy balance.

For my part, I think the questions that are so often tagged as "embittered," are normal questions, and that it is healthier to ask them, than to not ask them.

Gotto go. If the power blinks again, I'll lose this dubious work of intellectual internetology. ;)