Freethought & Rationalism Archive

jayG60 · 08-31-2004, 04:26 PM

OK, I spent the formative years of my life in a Christian home and am overly familiar with Christian clichés. But I still can’t understand this.

I’m sure most of you have heard about the terrible flood in Richmond yesterday and the millions of dollars of damage it caused. Such an event is called an Act of God. Then everyone around me thanks god that so few people died! I heard one TV talking-head comment about how lucky the people in Richmond were.

This is petty, I know, but comments like this make me angry. Do people who say things like that think about what they’re saying?

Jay, who lives close to Richmond and has friends there and who has been in a few floods and doesn’t consider being in a flood lucky.

WCH · 08-31-2004, 04:32 PM

Afaik, "Act of God" is an insurance term which essentially means "no-one's fault." It does not mean God caused it. It's akin to saying something is an "act of nature."

Albert Cipriani · 08-31-2004, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCH

Afaik, "Act of God" is an insurance term...

First the 10 Commandments, then the Pledge of Allegience, then the inscriptions on our money, and lastly all insurance policies that dare to invoke the one of whom we are not to mention. When is an atheist's job done? :huh:

Even a "dog" is no longer safe. That word could spawn an outbreak revulsive reactions in dyslectic atheists! -- Insincerely, Albert the Traditional Catholic

jdlongmire · 09-01-2004, 04:24 AM

:notworthy

jester2459 · 09-01-2004, 08:39 AM

'Act of God' is an insurance term that has a technical, explicit definition that doesn't have anything to do with gods.

But the original post is talking about the term as used in everyday conversation. And I am completely with you there - there is just something silly about saying that the same being who sent a flood your way must be merciful, as evidenced by the fact that there were some survivors. By that standard, if I walk into a bank and spray it down with automatic gunfire, then execute 4 of the 5 people left alive, I should be called merciful for sparing the last one.

And it's not just the stupidity... it's that the stupidity often leads to insensitive remarks and inferences (if my brother died, but you were spared by a god, what does that say about my brother) and poor planning (if it's all up to gods anyway, why bother with that insurance policy, or why avoid building on a flood plain).

Newton Joseph · 09-29-2004, 10:35 PM

[
I’m sure most of you have heard about the terrible flood in Richmond yesterday and the millions of dollars of damage it caused. Such an event is called an Act of God. Then everyone around me thanks god that so few people died! I heard one TV

POOR MOTHER NATURE

By New 10.

Last night on television, I saw a very damaging tornado and they referred to it as the work of Mother Nature. Even though many people were killed, I never heard one fault god for his dereliction of duty. What is the purpose of an omnipotent god if he is absent when there is a true need? Those who are Christian are trained to always turn to magical thinking when a catastrophe happens. Who gets the blame? Not god, but poor Mother Nature.

:devil1:

Bright Life · 09-30-2004, 08:43 AM

You know, I've always wondered if there was some sort of legal way to get around the "act of god" clause. I mean, how can the insurance agency claim something is an "act of god?"

Naked Ape · 09-30-2004, 09:18 AM

Act of God definition – an severe event caused by forces of nature, without the possibility of prevention by humans – such as earthquake, tornado, hurricane, etc.

I have always been told that the phrase Act of God was just legal shorthand for "no person or organization to sue". Since god and heaven don't exist in any conventional sense of the word exist, where would you address the subpoena if you wanted to begin legal action?

Cheers,

Naked Ape

pkurilla · 09-30-2004, 09:50 AM

I'm a paralegal, and in my office, we refer to such things as "force majeure" rather than "Act of God." I was under the impression that someone may have tried to sue God for one of those acts, thus leading to the change in terminology.

It still means the same thing though--no human can be held responsible.

Valdemar · 09-30-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naked Ape

Since god and heaven don't exist in any conventional sense of the word exist, where would you address the subpoena if you wanted to begin legal action?

How about the local church? They're getting paid by the sycophants who believe their God is in control. "All prayers are answered, sometimes the answer is 'no'."

Let's make 'em pay for the "no" answer!

08-31-2004, 04:26 PM	#1
jayG60 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,598	Act of God OK, I spent the formative years of my life in a Christian home and am overly familiar with Christian clichés. But I still can’t understand this. I’m sure most of you have heard about the terrible flood in Richmond yesterday and the millions of dollars of damage it caused. Such an event is called an Act of God. Then everyone around me thanks god that so few people died! I heard one TV talking-head comment about how lucky the people in Richmond were. This is petty, I know, but comments like this make me angry. Do people who say things like that think about what they’re saying? Jay, who lives close to Richmond and has friends there and who has been in a few floods and doesn’t consider being in a flood lucky.

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08-31-2004, 04:32 PM	#2
WCH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 6,290	Afaik, "Act of God" is an insurance term which essentially means "no-one's fault." It does not mean God caused it. It's akin to saying something is an "act of nature."

09-01-2004, 04:24 AM	#4
jdlongmire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: American by birth, Southern by the grace of God! Posts: 2,657	:notworthy

09-01-2004, 08:39 AM	#5
jester2459 Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: DC Posts: 490	'Act of God' is an insurance term that has a technical, explicit definition that doesn't have anything to do with gods. But the original post is talking about the term as used in everyday conversation. And I am completely with you there - there is just something silly about saying that the same being who sent a flood your way must be merciful, as evidenced by the fact that there were some survivors. By that standard, if I walk into a bank and spray it down with automatic gunfire, then execute 4 of the 5 people left alive, I should be called merciful for sparing the last one. And it's not just the stupidity... it's that the stupidity often leads to insensitive remarks and inferences (if my brother died, but you were spared by a god, what does that say about my brother) and poor planning (if it's all up to gods anyway, why bother with that insurance policy, or why avoid building on a flood plain).

09-29-2004, 10:35 PM	#6
Newton Joseph Banned Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 496	[ I’m sure most of you have heard about the terrible flood in Richmond yesterday and the millions of dollars of damage it caused. Such an event is called an Act of God. Then everyone around me thanks god that so few people died! I heard one TV POOR MOTHER NATURE By New 10. Last night on television, I saw a very damaging tornado and they referred to it as the work of Mother Nature. Even though many people were killed, I never heard one fault god for his dereliction of duty. What is the purpose of an omnipotent god if he is absent when there is a true need? Those who are Christian are trained to always turn to magical thinking when a catastrophe happens. Who gets the blame? Not god, but poor Mother Nature. :devil1:

09-30-2004, 08:43 AM	#7
Bright Life Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 8,345	You know, I've always wondered if there was some sort of legal way to get around the "act of god" clause. I mean, how can the insurance agency claim something is an "act of god?"

09-30-2004, 09:18 AM	#8
Naked Ape Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 1,780	Act of God definition – an severe event caused by forces of nature, without the possibility of prevention by humans – such as earthquake, tornado, hurricane, etc. I have always been told that the phrase Act of God was just legal shorthand for "no person or organization to sue". Since god and heaven don't exist in any conventional sense of the word exist, where would you address the subpoena if you wanted to begin legal action? Cheers, Naked Ape

09-30-2004, 09:50 AM	#9
pkurilla Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 122	I'm a paralegal, and in my office, we refer to such things as "force majeure" rather than "Act of God." I was under the impression that someone may have tried to sue God for one of those acts, thus leading to the change in terminology. It still means the same thing though--no human can be held responsible.

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