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Post by Zee on May 21, 2019 21:57:51 GMT
I admit, I can't. I felt attacked. Let's put that down to not enough sleep making me a little quick on the draw there. My sincere apologies. I'm on vacation starting tomorrow, I'll try and behave You're two of my favorite snarkers here. Can't you get along?😂😂😂 Not if I don't feel like it! You're next! What the fuck is your problem with me? Lol
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on May 21, 2019 21:59:54 GMT
You're two of my favorite snarkers here. Can't you get along?😂😂😂 Not if I don't feel like it! You're next! What the fuck is your problem with me? Lol 😂😂😂😂😂
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Post by iamkristinl16 on May 21, 2019 22:00:06 GMT
Did I say that ALL Christians do this? Maybe people of other religions say similar things, but the people that I have heard say it are Christians, of various denominations. I would love if someone could explain what they mean when they say things like this. Do they really think that their prayer persuaded God to save them? How do they explain it when God doesn't save someone? Those are the questions I have, as stated in my post. You could answer them instead of getting offended. Yes you kind of did when you said that this is a pet peeve about Christianity, and that it makes you question religion. Why not look to the other type of Christian, the ones who don't believe like this, and say that it makes you interested in religion. Or something. Rather than lumping everyone into "Christianity"? And, books have been written in response to those questions. Google "theodicy". I might have a go at it later, but at the moment I'm recovering from spending the day with 5th graders who are ready to be done with school so I have nothing left in me to take on people's beliefs about God. It’s a pet peeve about Christianity because...Christians say this stuff! I didn’t say all Christians. I grew up catholic and am not sure if these were common statements or beliefs or not. I just started noticing it when I became an adult and had more life experiences that made me question what exactly it means and doesn’t mean. I’ve asked people before and haven’t gotten answers that made sense to me.
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Post by monklady123 on May 21, 2019 22:04:54 GMT
And, one thing that annoys me is when people paint all Christianity with the same brush. Don't by annoyed at all of Christianity because of the beliefs of *some* Christians. This type of Christianity that's expressed by this sentiment (as well as others) is not anything that my particular church, or much of my denomination, believes. So you really should do some more research, if you care to find out differences I mean. Of course it is much easier just to brush it all off, and of course that is your prerogative... I almost hesitate to call myself Christian because so many give us all a bad name. I am pro-choice, supporter of the LBGTQ community, and strongly feel that religion has no business being in politics. I'm as liberal as they come. I am not what a lot of people would consider "Christian". I feel that my beliefs align with the teachings of Jesus. I think a lot of Christians forget what Jesus taught us. Now to answer the ops question, I hate when people say that God saved their loved one. It's insulting to people who did not survive. Who do some survive and others don't? Modern medicine, timing, just sheer luck, and sometimes who knows? But what I do hope is that in tragedy, God can help me find a way to turn that around and make it better. I also believe that when these tragedies happen, God is as broken-hearted as we are. And he wants us to do what we can to make the world a better place. It's what drives me crazy about Christian climate change deniers. They believe that we don't have the ability to destroy the planet, that only God can do that. That's such b.s. God expects us to take care of the planet, and expects us to do something when something goes wrong. Whether it be climate change or gun laws. I'm not an expert on these things. it's just what I believe. I like to call myself a hippy Christian. You’d probably fit right in at my church. Here’s our hippy pastor...the guy in tie-dye with the guitar, getting ready to lead a protest a few months ago. 😜
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 21, 2019 22:05:18 GMT
I do agree with you.
The mother who said it probably didn't mean it maliciously, though it definitely comes off as insensitive. She was probably just very in the moment and glad her kid survived.
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Post by birukitty on May 21, 2019 22:24:11 GMT
So good things are god’s doing, bad things are nothing to do with him? that's not exactly what I said (or at least, not exactly what I intended to say)....in MY worldview (and everyone is entitled to their own), God set the world in play (creation) and gave us free will to make good choices or bad choices. Bad choices have consequences - in this world and in the next (I believe in heaven, hell, AND purgatory but also in God's loving mercy and forgiveness). I don't believe that a murderer is so because God made him so -I believe that he exercised his free will and chose to murder. I don't believe that a good person is innately good because God made him so -I believe he exercised his free will and chose to do good. We all have the ability to make good choices but due to original sin, we all also have the ability to make bad ones - which we choose is dependent on our free will. [disclaimer - my personal beliefs and not necessarily those of the religion I follow - I'm not a theologian] I believe in this too. Isn't this part of the Catholic faith?
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Post by Merge on May 21, 2019 22:34:08 GMT
You're two of my favorite snarkers here. Can't you get along?😂😂😂 Not if I don't feel like it! You're next! What the fuck is your problem with me? Lol Girl, don't even start with me. 😂😂😘
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on May 21, 2019 22:39:52 GMT
Sometimes being the one surviving victim is not actually a gift. She’s entitled to her worldview though. Grief is a horrible state. I give grieving people a pass when they say things I seem less than brilliant. Hurt clouds ones capacity. When Christian people say things like “god has another angel now” I have to work really hard not to roll my eyes. There’s absolutely nothing in scripture to indicate that people become angels after life. But whatever. This is so true... one doesn’t have to look further than the Parkland shootings—-2 teens took their lives a year later from guilt/grief. And just this weekend there was a Columbine survivor who after the shootings, tailspun into depression, drugs, drinking...then seemed to have turned his life back to somewhat normal (on the surface), gave Ted talks, spoke to schools, law makers—-only to succumb to those demons as a result of the shooting 20 years ago and took his own life a few days ago.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on May 21, 2019 23:03:08 GMT
I agree. I would not say anything to the mom, cause I get where she is coming from, but I really find it disconcerting.
Its like the people that try to tell you when bad things happen it's God's will too, like that somehow make them acceptable or logical.
I don't believe that, and it doesn't make them any easier at all, IMO.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 21, 2019 23:20:25 GMT
As a cradle Catholic, while there was certainly an element of prayer for specific things - I mean there are the whole saint of travel, saint of health, etc, in MY experience, there wasn't the same personal relationship/intervention by God. I remember being a bit taken aback the first time I heard someone praying for the mundane (and obviously the example in the OP is nothing but mundane) but it's an example of a religious bent that was very different than the Catholic doctrine I grew up with.
Oh and as a total aside for those who didn't really the specifics of the situation as there's some erroneous mentions above about her daughter not being shot - her daughter survived a bullet to the shoulder and is still recovering physically and mentally.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
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Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on May 21, 2019 23:27:23 GMT
Hippy Christian handshake to my sisters gathered on this thread.
Mark me down as thinking it's a horrible sentiment.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
Jun 25, 2014 21:53:42 GMT
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on May 21, 2019 23:31:25 GMT
I hate that just as much as I hate “oh Jane Doe is in a much better place now” I wanna tell people to fuck off when I hear that.
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Post by lucyg on May 21, 2019 23:46:08 GMT
I think thoughtful people will usually expand a bit on those types of comments ( like thanking God for strength to carry on type of thing). Otherwise, it often comes across, to me, as superstitious. Better thank God or I will lose next time. Absolutely, some come across as reflexive or superstitious. But, again, I try not to assume. There's rarely time enough to expand. Carol Burnett tugged her ear. Other people make a gesture or thank God. It's possible to be both reflexive and deeply meaningful. I really like how you spelled out the part I've bolded, however, I'm sure that this will come across as offensive too. After all, aren't you then thanking God for giving you strength and maybe not someone else, or not as much strength to someone else? What's the difference with saying that and saying that you've been blessed? If it weren't for this board, I never would have believed that people could take such heartfelt, innocent ideals and twist them to mean something as offensive as they do. Her mother, Sonia Lopez, told ABC13 Eyewitness News that by God's grace, she survived the shooting. The horror! Actually, I see absolutely nothing wrong with that statement. One can't live an entire life trying to stay a step ahead of people intent on reading into everything that which isn't there. She didn't say "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo, my kid lived and your kids didn't. God loves her more.," yet that's the way some of y'all seem to want to take it. You see absolutely nothing wrong with it. So I guess everyone else is wrong. Honestly? It’s a slap in the face. I’m sorry you don’t see it, but that doesn’t mean a big chunk of the rest of the world is overly sensitive and your response is the “proper” one. I would also not be surprised if some people who can’t understand why anyone would be offended by their declarations of God stepping in to protect their child or to help them win the Friday night football game, are also the same ones who themselves get offended by “happy holidays.” So no, we liberals aren’t the only hyper-sensitive ones.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
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Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on May 22, 2019 0:05:32 GMT
I think thoughtful people will usually expand a bit on those types of comments ( like thanking God for strength to carry on type of thing). Otherwise, it often comes across, to me, as superstitious. Better thank God or I will lose next time. Absolutely, some come across as reflexive or superstitious. But, again, I try not to assume. There's rarely time enough to expand. Carol Burnett tugged her ear. Other people make a gesture or thank God. It's possible to be both reflexive and deeply meaningful. I really like how you spelled out the part I've bolded, however, I'm sure that this will come across as offensive too. After all, aren't you then thanking God for giving you strength and maybe not someone else, or not as much strength to someone else? What's the difference with saying that and saying that you've been blessed? If it weren't for this board, I never would have believed that people could take such heartfelt, innocent ideals and twist them to mean something as offensive as they do. Her mother, Sonia Lopez, told ABC13 Eyewitness News that by God's grace, she survived the shooting. The horror! Actually, I see absolutely nothing wrong with that statement. One can't live an entire life trying to stay a step ahead of people intent on reading into everything that which isn't there. She didn't say "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo, my kid lived and your kids didn't. God loves her more.," yet that's the way some of y'all seem to want to take it. First, I want to clarify that when I was taking about “those situations” I was talking about winning a sports game or Grammy. It’s not saying you won because god was just on your side. It more implies that God guided you more than set you up for the win. I think being more specific is less offensive in THOSE situations. I don’t think my example works for children being killed in senseless violent acts. There isn’t much you can say. There aren’t really words created for that depth of loss. Again, I think you can be annoyed and understanding at the same time, and I really believe that is how most of us are about issues like this. We aren’t overly sensitive. We are empathetic and can see how our choice in words impact others. I think all of us have learned more about how others feel and perceive through age and wisdom and through increased exposure to others through the internet . The fact that we didn’t know or realize our ignorance says little about who we were. How we receive that information and proceed with our new understanding defines who we really are.
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Post by refugeepea on May 22, 2019 0:11:35 GMT
This is the number one reason why I can't believe in God anymore. My friend's son was born with a heart condition. One of the medications caused a reaction for his entire body to be bruised from head to toe. He died at seven months living more in a hospital than at home. An innocent life.
But hell, be a serial murderer, be an adulterer, beat your kids, but if you find God it's all good. You get to be in heaven with kids that were ripped apart by bullets, had cancer or other health issues that lead to their death.
I've been told by numerous people two of my kids will go straight to heaven because of their special needs, they aren't "tested" like the rest of this on this earth. They were so super special in heaven they get a one way ticket to paradise. Except now I'm apostate and according to their rules, it will not happen (me being with them).
It comes down to if God can help someone find their pet or car keys but won't save a classroom full of first graders, I want nothing to do with that asshole.
I'm not opposed to the idea of an afterlife, but I'm done believing in a heaven a bunch of privileged men made up in order to stay in control.
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Post by catmom on May 22, 2019 0:29:12 GMT
It is just as horrific as the cartoon that goes around after ever school shooting. Oh lord, why didn’t you stop this? Because I am not allowed in there. People do that?!?! So gross.
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Post by refugeepea on May 22, 2019 0:54:15 GMT
I am a person of faith. I have found great comfort and peace in my faith, especially during times of tragedy. I'm not a stranger to great loss; I would not be alive today if it were not for my faith. I was a person of faith. I wanted to die on a weekly basis after attending church. I wanted to be in a heaven with my loved ones rather than this evil world. I'm glad it worked out for you. I know I did everything that was required of me. I knew I was doing what Jesus would want me to do. Now, I do what is best for me. I don't put God first I put me and my family first. If there is a God, I'm confident that he as a perfect omnipotent being would understand. A huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders.
Either way, it doesn't matter to me. When I was religious, it absolutely mattered to me. It cheapened God. When you are a musician who uses profane language and sexually graphic words, it's disrespectful to everything God is not. If it weren't for this board, I never would have believed that people could take such heartfelt, innocent ideals and twist them to mean something as offensive as they do. I really don't know what to say, but your comment makes me very sad and it's a further reminder to avoid any form of religion. You’d probably fit right in at my church. Here’s our hippy pastor...the guy in tie-dye with the guitar, getting ready to lead a protest a few months ago. 😜 As someone who belonged to a religion that did their own protesting, and probably the opposite of yours it bothers me when I see religions involved in politics. If they feel that strongly, then their tax exempt status needs to be taken away.
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Post by Linda on May 22, 2019 1:19:26 GMT
that's not exactly what I said (or at least, not exactly what I intended to say)....in MY worldview (and everyone is entitled to their own), God set the world in play (creation) and gave us free will to make good choices or bad choices. Bad choices have consequences - in this world and in the next (I believe in heaven, hell, AND purgatory but also in God's loving mercy and forgiveness). I don't believe that a murderer is so because God made him so -I believe that he exercised his free will and chose to murder. I don't believe that a good person is innately good because God made him so -I believe he exercised his free will and chose to do good. We all have the ability to make good choices but due to original sin, we all also have the ability to make bad ones - which we choose is dependent on our free will. [disclaimer - my personal beliefs and not necessarily those of the religion I follow - I'm not a theologian] I believe in this too. Isn't this part of the Catholic faith? I think so but as I said, I'm not a theologian so I don't want to represent it as the Catholic view and have done so inaccurately.
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Mary Kay Lady
Pearl Clutcher
PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
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Jun 27, 2014 4:11:36 GMT
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on May 22, 2019 1:51:44 GMT
I think it is insensitive to the other parents. Like her child was a chosen one, and the rest are not. And what about survivor's guilt?
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Post by chaosisapony on May 22, 2019 1:56:37 GMT
Comments like that are one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to Christianity, and honestly it makes me question religion even more. I often hear people credit prayer and God for "saving" or "blessing" they or their family member. So, if someone does die, does that mean that they didn't pray hard enough? Or that God didn't care enough about them? This, exactly. I have a big issue with the mentality some religious folks have that only some people are special enough that God chooses to save them. But all those other people with cancer or in the shooting? Fuck them, they obviously weren't worthy. No, thanks... please keep your religious views to yourself.
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Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,313
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on May 22, 2019 2:30:33 GMT
You should have time, in a year, to think beyond your own happiness and your own world view to perhaps choose your words more carefully. was there an article linked or just the headline quoted? I just have a hard with it taken out of context of the full conversation of interview. Maybe she was pressed to comment on "why your child", or how do you handle the fact your child lived while others died and she grappled with her thoughts and how to answer? She might of even said "I don't know why lived, I don't know.. maybe the lord chose her I just don't know". Then bam a headline. I could have it all wrong too because I haven't read the full article and haven't seen it in context. well I went to google and that's what the headlines say but I have listened to the news broadcast and she never says those words. She refers to God's grace but I listened 3 times and I don't hear "the Lord chose to save her". I listened on 2 different websites. Maybe someone else can hear it. i's a video but less then 2 minutes CLICK
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Post by shescrafty on May 22, 2019 2:44:08 GMT
I think a parent in this situation is sort of excused for the trite and offensive statement. The newspaper using it as a headline—. BAD JUDGEMENT. No, and as I said - if this sentiment was said out loud to me by a grieving person I would say nothing. I know very well how grief affects people, and I'm not about to make someone feel worse. I think my issue is more with the worldview/religious view that makes this way of thinking such a common one. I get irritated with people's need to find meaning where there was none, which seems to me to perpetuate the line of thinking that one was "saved" or "blessed" while another was not. And yes; unfortunately the particular media outlet in this case has a history of poor judgment with headlines. I hate when I read/hear how god saved someone or that god must know the person who lives is here for a greater purpose. A very close friend was able to post about her son passing the 4 year mark of being in remission. So many comments that followed talked about how god had chosen him to live or that god has a special plan for his life. I guess god didn’t give a shit about my daughters life.
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Post by shescrafty on May 22, 2019 2:50:26 GMT
I think it is insensitive to the other parents. Like her child was a chosen one, and the rest are not. And what about survivor's guilt? I would much rather have my child have survivor’s guilt than be dead. Ask any parent with a dead child and I am guessing they would agree with me.
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Post by refugeepea on May 22, 2019 3:56:37 GMT
A very close friend was able to post about her son passing the 4 year mark of being in remission. So many comments that followed talked about how god had chosen him to live or that god has a special plan for his life. I guess god didn’t give a shit about my daughters life. I didn't want to like your post, but yeah. People are giant assholes. How can you NOT take that personally? ((hugs))
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Post by Legacy Girl on May 22, 2019 4:10:58 GMT
The further I remove myself from organized religion, the more I see the absolute self-centeredness behind statements like this, cloaked in the packaging of religion. It is a horrible thing to believe, never mind say. Having been enveloped in a restrictive religious environment, in my past, I shudder to think about the times that I said similar hurtful things ... that mindset is engraved in some religious groups. That they are more superior, in every way, because they have God "on their side". Anyone who believes that she is "more superior, in every way" is not representing her faith in a way that is consistent with Christianity. One of my favorite verses of scripture is Philippians 2:3-4, which says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This is what it means to be a Christ follower. I find it unfortunate that so many have such intensely negative impressions of those who are engaged in a walk of faith. I am thankful for those in my life who choose to respond to my many shortcomings with grace and mercy. I strive to do the same for those I encounter every day.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 11:15:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2019 4:41:21 GMT
No, and as I said - if this sentiment was said out loud to me by a grieving person I would say nothing. I know very well how grief affects people, and I'm not about to make someone feel worse. I think my issue is more with the worldview/religious view that makes this way of thinking such a common one. I get irritated with people's need to find meaning where there was none, which seems to me to perpetuate the line of thinking that one was "saved" or "blessed" while another was not. And yes; unfortunately the particular media outlet in this case has a history of poor judgment with headlines. I hate when I read/hear how god saved someone or that god must know the person who lives is here for a greater purpose. A very close friend was able to post about her son passing the 4 year mark of being in remission. So many comments that followed talked about how god had chosen him to live or that god has a special plan for his life. I guess god didn’t give a shit about my daughters life. I am sorry for your loss. Life is horribly unfair.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 11:15:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2019 4:42:21 GMT
You should have time, in a year, to think beyond your own happiness and your own world view to perhaps choose your words more carefully. was there an article linked or just the headline quoted? I just have a hard with it taken out of context of the full conversation of interview. Maybe she was pressed to comment on "why your child", or how do you handle the fact your child lived while others died and she grappled with her thoughts and how to answer? She might of even said "I don't know why lived, I don't know.. maybe the lord chose her I just don't know". Then bam a headline. I could have it all wrong too because I haven't read the full article and haven't seen it in context. well I went to google and that's what the headlines say but I have listened to the news broadcast and she never says those words. She refers to God's grace but I listened 3 times and I don't hear "the Lord chose to save her". I listened on 2 different websites. Maybe someone else can hear it. i's a video but less then 2 minutes CLICKI linked the article w/her quote. She said it.
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Post by gar on May 22, 2019 8:47:05 GMT
The further I remove myself from organized religion, the more I see the absolute self-centeredness behind statements like this, cloaked in the packaging of religion. It is a horrible thing to believe, never mind say. Having been enveloped in a restrictive religious environment, in my past, I shudder to think about the times that I said similar hurtful things ... that mindset is engraved in some religious groups. That they are more superior, in every way, because they have God "on their side". Anyone who believes that she is "more superior, in every way" is not representing her faith in a way that is consistent with Christianity. One of my favorite verses of scripture is Philippians 2:3-4, which says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This is what it means to be a Christ follower. I find it unfortunate that so many have such intensely negative impressions of those who are engaged in a walk of faith. I am thankful for those in my life who choose to respond to my many shortcomings with grace and mercy. I strive to do the same for those I encounter every day. Well, it's 'unfortunate' that 'so many' Christians apparently mis-represent themselves and christianity while going about their day to day lives. I really don't have much knowledge about what it means to be a follower of Christ but I do know what I see and read on a regular basis from people who are supposedly just that. If someone shows themselves to be an arsehole why do they deserve a pass because they call themselves a Christian?
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Post by Merge on May 22, 2019 11:01:13 GMT
You should have time, in a year, to think beyond your own happiness and your own world view to perhaps choose your words more carefully. was there an article linked or just the headline quoted? I just have a hard with it taken out of context of the full conversation of interview. Maybe she was pressed to comment on "why your child", or how do you handle the fact your child lived while others died and she grappled with her thoughts and how to answer? She might of even said "I don't know why lived, I don't know.. maybe the lord chose her I just don't know". Then bam a headline. I could have it all wrong too because I haven't read the full article and haven't seen it in context. well I went to google and that's what the headlines say but I have listened to the news broadcast and she never says those words. She refers to God's grace but I listened 3 times and I don't hear "the Lord chose to save her". I listened on 2 different websites. Maybe someone else can hear it. i's a video but less then 2 minutes CLICKI originally posted my comments in response to the title of a long-form article in a Texas news magazine. There was a lot more context provided. Of course, I cannot now find the article online. I don't believe the mom's words were quoted from the TV interview - perhaps they had interviewed her separately for their story. I'll keep looking today when I have time.
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Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,313
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on May 22, 2019 12:34:35 GMT
"Ten people lost their lives on May 18, 2018. Many more were injured, including Sarah Salazar. The teenager suffered a gunshot wound to her shoulder. She is still recovering emotionally and physically from the horrific incident. Her mother, Sonia Lopez, told ABC13 Eyewitness News that by God's grace, she survived the shooting. "She told Him that she wasn't scared to die. The Lord chose to save her. I think it's just a miracle," said Lopez. "Sarah was never scared to go back to school. She understands that a shooting can happen anywhere." abc13.com/santa-fe-survivors-mom-the-lord-chose-to-save-her/5309184/I linked the article w/her quote. She said it.
That's one of the articles I did find. But when you listen to the audio and then read the print the part of the quote here when she says "Sarah was never scared to go back to school" was not preceded by the "The lord chose to save her. I think it's just a miracle". I am not saying she didn't say some "christianese" phrase that gives her comfort (she referenced the grace of God), but I am just so fed up with attention grabbing headlines that when you read the articles, or listen to the videos are never quite what they seem. Of course we do that to each other here on the board a lot. Someone posts a longer then average post about a situation and we can pull one sentence out of the whole thing and rip a person to shreds.
The article is nothing but bulletin points quotations that do not match with the video. I would be curious the conversations she had. How were the questions phrased.
Scriptures says sun rises on the evil and the good, and that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Bad things happen to all types of people. Good things will happen to all types of people. It's not a question of anyone being better.
As a complete aside, my dad's second wife is clinging to life right now. Came through surgery wonderfully but not waking up. My family and her family comprise all ranges of beliefs. My sister dabbled in Wicca, and is a borderline atheist, my dad goes to Mass when he can, her family is mostly agnostic, my nephew is bitter etc etc. My mom died on a transplant list so this real hard on him as you can imagine. My sister sent me a message saying "we could use one of your miracles right now". Now there is underlining bitterness in her comment, and maybe some desperation. But I didn't rise to the bait. She's in pain, I am not home with them either. Dad asked me to wait and come back later this summer when he will need me more. I don't believe in the concept of 'miracles' that you see in bible times but I do believe in the providence of God. He provides for us. I know what people are really saying when something happens and they declare it a miracle so I try and not pick apart their phrases and look to their intent. I know if my dad's wife dies folks will be angry at God, I know that if she lives they will be thanking Him for awhile till life goes back to normal and they remember they do not believe in Him. That's OK too. I am not praying for miraculous healing, I pray for peace of mind that whatever decisions they make this week they are able to live with. I am scared to say the wrong thing to any one of them. Her daughters, my dad, my sister. I basically send a text in the morning saying "i love you. I am thinking about you, I am praying". and then another in the evening (he has no minutes on his phone).
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