Greetings
So, today I was talking to my sunday school kids about 2 Corinthians where Paul is writing about tribulation and having comfort in our tribulations. I told them about a PBS episode of Frontline that I had just watched this week where the filmmakers asked some of the survivors and family members of those who died on 9/11 where they thought God was when the tragedy happened. I asked the kids (15-16 year olds) where they thought God was when the planes went into the buildings, and without even skipping a beat one of the kids looked a little teary eyed and said, "In the building."
I looked at her and said, "I hope so, too."
It was interesting to hear the people in this program talk about their faith and express their honest feelings about what they had personally been through in terms of their belief and faith in God. It isn't for me to judge them or to say that a short snippet of film is an accurate representation of their life and accumulated beliefs over time. Nevertheless I couldn't help but wonder, as I have for the past 10 years, is why some people seem to think this is a tragic experience specific to the USA and NYC. Do people read and know what is going on around the world, do they have an indication of the past and atrocities that have been carried out throughout history, do they believe that we are somehow immune to extremism and its possibilities?
I say this because I've heard people make comments about how they didn't ever think this or that could happen, and how they don't understand how God could let something like this happen AS IF people have never experienced horrific calamities before this incident. I live on the other side of the country from NYC and I am practical and read lots of stuff that maybe other people don't spend time with, is that why I am one to ask, "Why not us?" rather than, "How could this happen?"
Of course, the question itself, "Where was God?" assumes that there was a belief in God at some point. I wonder about the question itself. People asking the question and people responding to it (in this Frontline program) kept saying something like, "How could God allow this to happen?" I wanted to ask them who they thought God was and how they thought He manifested Himself in people's lives. I was curious for something more.
Well, I will stop here and not continue my ramblings and just say that when Paul was writing about tribulation and comfort he said that we are to comfort one another. Whether or not someone believes in God they can still reach out and offer comfort to someone who is in pain. Our own experience with tribulation teaches us how it feels to suffer, grieve, lose our faith for a moment or perhaps longer, and we have more empathy and compassion for others who suffer.
carry on
I looked at her and said, "I hope so, too."
It was interesting to hear the people in this program talk about their faith and express their honest feelings about what they had personally been through in terms of their belief and faith in God. It isn't for me to judge them or to say that a short snippet of film is an accurate representation of their life and accumulated beliefs over time. Nevertheless I couldn't help but wonder, as I have for the past 10 years, is why some people seem to think this is a tragic experience specific to the USA and NYC. Do people read and know what is going on around the world, do they have an indication of the past and atrocities that have been carried out throughout history, do they believe that we are somehow immune to extremism and its possibilities?
I say this because I've heard people make comments about how they didn't ever think this or that could happen, and how they don't understand how God could let something like this happen AS IF people have never experienced horrific calamities before this incident. I live on the other side of the country from NYC and I am practical and read lots of stuff that maybe other people don't spend time with, is that why I am one to ask, "Why not us?" rather than, "How could this happen?"
Of course, the question itself, "Where was God?" assumes that there was a belief in God at some point. I wonder about the question itself. People asking the question and people responding to it (in this Frontline program) kept saying something like, "How could God allow this to happen?" I wanted to ask them who they thought God was and how they thought He manifested Himself in people's lives. I was curious for something more.
Well, I will stop here and not continue my ramblings and just say that when Paul was writing about tribulation and comfort he said that we are to comfort one another. Whether or not someone believes in God they can still reach out and offer comfort to someone who is in pain. Our own experience with tribulation teaches us how it feels to suffer, grieve, lose our faith for a moment or perhaps longer, and we have more empathy and compassion for others who suffer.
carry on
Replies
Hello!! That was a good answer wasn\'t it!? I just Pray for Peace!! I see it on earth there are people,animals and plants.. In that group of living beings.. I just Wish more would care and help each other! More to Care and have some empathy, sympathy, compassion and a good conscience! Practice the Golden rule!! Right now I\'m big time worried about Michael. He\'s 6. He went back to school for 2 Days & now has Mono.! His liver and spleen is enlarged.. He looks so ill & Run down. It breaks my heartt seeing him that way. He\'s skinny.. He was a Preemie! His 3 year old Brother is more meaty and stronger.. And little Lil will be 2 on Sept. 15th. Best of Luck to you spreading the Good word. Taking care of each other however we can! Doing God\'s work on Earth however we can!! Take care! I\'m not feeling well my self.. Be well! God Bless!!
Katy, an insightful and thoughtful entry as usual. How true that things are happening all over the world, yet when it happens to us we think, \"How could this happen or why me/us?\" I tend to believe that God is good and omnipotent (however, when I\'ve been in pain I haven\'t always held to this). So I was thinking the other day, if suffering happens, God must allow it for a reason that is good. Of course, I can\'t say what the reason is, but maybe it is supposed to change me in some way.
Hi Katy. Your theme has been prevailant in the Christian shows I watch (ie: Joyce Meyer) finding comfort in those times that would seem to dictate the opposite.
As for the attitude of \"why us?\" or \"How could this happen to us?\" as a country, I feel that is an ego issue on the part of the USA..that we are immune somehow to these horrible things ( ironically, that is the attitude that fuels those who despise us so much that they do these attacks). Sadly, I feel that the initial lessons we seemed to have learned back then when the attacks were fresh are now remnants in the rubble much like the buildings themselves that toppled. We seem to be back to the \"me me me\" \"rush rush rush\" mode that as a Capitalistic nation drives our engine.
And that question \"Where was God?\" Well, that is a big question and sometimes I answer that with the fact that God gaves us free will and this is what has happened....I do hope that God was with the souls that suffered and that they were comforted during that time...
Yes it\'s a big question but I guess to some extent I just assume God was there, and he was there when millions of Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, and other tragedies like Rwanda, and he will be there when a single individual passes from simply falling off their bicycle and bumping their head. To me he is there regardless of the number of people killed, or the way people die, he is always there, for every passing. I don\'t believe God allowed 9/11 to happen. Men allowed this to happen. It is more than a tragedy, I\'ve got to say, that there are humans who are ok with killing masses of people. I will never understand that. That is stupid human mentality nothing more, but it is definitely not God\'s doing. That is little comfort though to the poor people who lost loved ones in these tragedies. The world needs to change, that is the only way these tragedies can be averted. Love, peace, and goodwill across all the Nations. Our leaders need to get their priorites right, stop focusing on greed and power and fear, and instead aim for World Harmony.
Nice entry Katy.
Love and Blessings,
Jodixo.