June 28th, 2006
The world is a strange place.
It seems like when things are going your way, everything goes your way. And of course the opposite. So it begs the question, do good things happen when people are happy and open to having good things happen, or is it that when you're feeling good, you just see the world in a better light and take more pleasure in and focus more on the things that are going right? It really has to be an attitude thing because I just don't believe that at certain times the whole world will align to bring you good fortune all at once, and other times align against you.
I suppose at one time I would have attributed this sort of thing to God blessing me with good things. But if God is not responsible for bringing bad luck upon someone, it's hardly rational to give God credit for either.
There is simply no way to reconcile the two points of view. Either God is causing the good and the bad, or he causes neither and they merely happen. It's a tough thing to accept. Especially after a quarter-century of unfailing belief that God listens to prayers and responds in a 'real' way. Maybe 'real' is the wrong word. Perhaps 'physical' is a better descriptor. In any case, the fact that God, although he may be in control in a creationist/spiritual sense, is not directing the action of the world is about the scariest thing imaginable. Because (I know, foolishly) I have lost my direct access to the one in charge, I now have no say about what happens to me in the world. I can control my own actions, and that's it. There is no one looking out for me. No one that can watch over me and keep me from harm. Even worse, no one to safeguard the ones I love. Even if I ask for it. It's easily the hardest lesson I've had to learn. And the ghosts of my former theology still linger in my mind. God is not a crutch for us to rely upon to see that bad things don't happen to us or those we pray for. Putting things "in God's hands" as I so often hear people say, is not a real option. You can put it "in the world's hands" and the world will give you what it will with no regard for your wishes or well being. Just a cold, sterile, objective reaction to whatever action put events in motion.
A doomed pregnancy will not be made viable through prayer. A sick relative will not be made well by the touch of God. A prayer of safety will not protect a single person on an airplane flying towards a skyscraper. Man has been given free will and that is the only will at work in the world. There is man's will and there is pure chance. Nothing more. How I long for the days when I trusted there was more.
The world is a strange place.
It seems like when things are going your way, everything goes your way. And of course the opposite. So it begs the question, do good things happen when people are happy and open to having good things happen, or is it that when you're feeling good, you just see the world in a better light and take more pleasure in and focus more on the things that are going right? It really has to be an attitude thing because I just don't believe that at certain times the whole world will align to bring you good fortune all at once, and other times align against you.
I suppose at one time I would have attributed this sort of thing to God blessing me with good things. But if God is not responsible for bringing bad luck upon someone, it's hardly rational to give God credit for either.
There is simply no way to reconcile the two points of view. Either God is causing the good and the bad, or he causes neither and they merely happen. It's a tough thing to accept. Especially after a quarter-century of unfailing belief that God listens to prayers and responds in a 'real' way. Maybe 'real' is the wrong word. Perhaps 'physical' is a better descriptor. In any case, the fact that God, although he may be in control in a creationist/spiritual sense, is not directing the action of the world is about the scariest thing imaginable. Because (I know, foolishly) I have lost my direct access to the one in charge, I now have no say about what happens to me in the world. I can control my own actions, and that's it. There is no one looking out for me. No one that can watch over me and keep me from harm. Even worse, no one to safeguard the ones I love. Even if I ask for it. It's easily the hardest lesson I've had to learn. And the ghosts of my former theology still linger in my mind. God is not a crutch for us to rely upon to see that bad things don't happen to us or those we pray for. Putting things "in God's hands" as I so often hear people say, is not a real option. You can put it "in the world's hands" and the world will give you what it will with no regard for your wishes or well being. Just a cold, sterile, objective reaction to whatever action put events in motion.
A doomed pregnancy will not be made viable through prayer. A sick relative will not be made well by the touch of God. A prayer of safety will not protect a single person on an airplane flying towards a skyscraper. Man has been given free will and that is the only will at work in the world. There is man's will and there is pure chance. Nothing more. How I long for the days when I trusted there was more.
posted by javboy | 10:36 PM
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