Ronin

This is from a case that I am working where the 'live-in helper' swears on Jesus' name that he did not try to kill his friend or burn her house down...we captured him about an hour after the arson sitting at a bus stop.

Praise God

Who put out the fire?

Who captured the roommate and put him away from society?




Theism is blatantly nonsensical.

HelenM

I know...

I hope she thanks you if she gets the opportunity

I'm glad she's not all angry and bitter about what she's been through. I would wish her ability to be glad she's alive, on anyone who has been through a difficult experience.

Helen

Ronin

Oddly enough, being thanked by anyone has long since fallen off my radar and wasn't even an issue for me because this is my chosen profession...but what did "God" do to deserve praise?

Also, she was extremely bitter and angry at Robert and the loss of all of her property...but, apparently, when the press interviewed her she's suddenly all pious.

Either that or that is all the reporter wanted to emphasize in the article.

This is just more of the same religo-porn that is promoted to encourage societal religious notions ~ as far as I see it from my 'behind the scenes' position.

HelenM

Fair enough.

I suppose that depends who you ask...

In that case, evidently the reporting was somewhat biased.

Helen

Ronin

Anyone who has the answer, of course.

I'm open to reviewing any explanation.

What is your position, Helen?

HelenM

But I'm not sure I do have the answer!

My position? Well, my computer is by an east facing window which is awesome on beautiful sunny mornings like this...

I'll bow out now so you can have a serious rant about how God (were He to exist) wouldn't deserve any gratitude, unhindered by further trivialities and evasive comments by me.

Helen

Clivedurdle

East facing is christian feng shui! All pre protestant churches face east to catch the dawn sun - makes you think what is being worshipped - and sun and fire are connected!

DMB

Ronin: I think there's something pretty basic in human beings here. Regardless of religion, most of us feel some sort of unfocused gratitude for anything good in life and a superstitious fear of loss, if things seem to be going too well for us. If you've been brought up to be religious, then those vague feelings get projected onto a god. Even total non-believers can let out the odd "Thank god!" as an expression of relief, without meaning it literally.

My husband, who in general is one of the most rational people I know, gets furious with sports commentators who talk up the chances of a team that he supports. He blaims them for "putting the mockers on it", i.e. inviting nemesis. Of course, he doesn't mean it seriously (at least, I hope not), but it's an interesting survival. How about all the people who touch wood if they make a chancy statement?

I think all this sort of thing must predate the religions we find ourselves with today and may be rooted in our primitive sense of fairness.

But I do feel sorry that people don't thank you.

:boohoo:

HelenM

In my case, it was where there was a space where my computer desk fitted.

Helen

Ronin

I really can understand a reflexive 'thank goodness' I'm alive sentiment ~ but with the totality of her experience with meeting the arsonist at a Christian run facility (the Salvation Army) while acting as a good samaritan and taking the man into her home, listening to gospel music as the suspect began pouring gasoline and hearing his equally God and Jesus ridden denials...'praising God' would be the last thing any rational person would be doing after assessing their newfound homeless condition.

I suppose I am just too hopelessly attached to the blatantly obvious.