In these times we, each of us, turn to that which brings us comfort and solace, that which grounds and centers us, that which brings us some sense of peace and/or hope for a world in desperate need of it.
And then some ass-hats decide to ridicule and berate people for it.
Congratulations. You’ve earned my scorn. It’s not easy. So pat yourself on the back for having the same seeds of hatred in your hearts that leads people to do the terrible things that we have witnessed once again today.
]]>
I spoke up against someone who was telling people to stop praying and do something useful. I don’t know if it helped or not, but I hope it did.
]]>I spoke up against someone who was telling people to stop praying and do something useful. I don’t know if it helped or not, but I hope it did.
]]>One must help oneself before one can help others. If a prayer puts you in the mind-space to be a helper, then pray baby pray.
If a shot of whisky does the trick instead, then do that.
I don’t care. Just stop being dicks to one another. Now is not the time.
]]>One must help oneself before one can help others. If a prayer puts you in the mind-space to be a helper, then pray baby pray.
If a shot of whisky does the trick instead, then do that.
I don’t care. Just stop being dicks to one another. Now is not the time.
]]>Exactly.
]]>Exactly.
]]>there’s a difference between being a dick, and asking people to do something that helps the victims instead of praying. i acknowledge the opinion that telling someone to give blood or money instead of praying is blasphemy and worthy of being cast into hell.
on the other side of that opinion, i find it offensive not just to me, but moreso the victims, to pray instead of helping.
for those that are encouraging prayer, then i feel that you are being a dick.
]]>there’s a difference between being a dick, and asking people to do something that helps the victims instead of praying. i acknowledge the opinion that telling someone to give blood or money instead of praying is blasphemy and worthy of being cast into hell.
on the other side of that opinion, i find it offensive not just to me, but moreso the victims, to pray instead of helping.
for those that are encouraging prayer, then i feel that you are being a dick.
]]>but it doesn’t have to be an either or. People tend to listen a lot more when you say, hey, remember these are the ways you can help. Rather than “hey, prayer is useless and your god doesn’t exist or he wouldn’t have let this happen. You should do these things instead.” different intent, different results.
Besides, most people couldn’t do anything at that time. It was after closing time. So unless you are giving specific things a person could do at that exact moment, you telling them prayer is useless = you being a dick and simply pushing your own agenda.
]]>but it doesn’t have to be an either or. People tend to listen a lot more when you say, hey, remember these are the ways you can help. Rather than “hey, prayer is useless and your god doesn’t exist or he wouldn’t have let this happen. You should do these things instead.” different intent, different results.
Besides, most people couldn’t do anything at that time. It was after closing time. So unless you are giving specific things a person could do at that exact moment, you telling them prayer is useless = you being a dick and simply pushing your own agenda.
]]>except that since this happened, i have posted URLs and information where people can give, or get help
]]>except that since this happened, i have posted URLs and information where people can give, or get help
]]>Honestly it’s not what people say that makes them a dick, it’s how they go about expressing themselves.
]]>Honestly it’s not what people say that makes them a dick, it’s how they go about expressing themselves.
]]>I wasn’t talking about you. 😉
]]>I wasn’t talking about you. 😉
]]>Ridicule and berate, and you’re being a dick. Quite possibly also a bigot, depending on the subject matter.
Personally, I meditate to re-balance and center… to process the evil to which I am witness. My dad, on the other hand, he prays. Whether anyone or thing is listening is beside the point. Both serve the same purpose, regardless of what he or I may think about the mechanics of what we’re doing. They alter our internal state from one of grief and inaction into one of purpose and drive.
Until we do this, we’re useless to those who need our help.
Anyone with half the sense of the people participating in this discussion should be able to recognize that.
Acknowledging that I do not know the hearts of these people any better than the next guy…
I guarantee that there are victims today that appreciate the prayers and good vibes and well wishes and whatever other positive, intangible ‘energy’ is being directed at them. At least one person who died would tell you if they could they appreciate that.
I also guarantee that they all appreciate the more worldly assistance pouring in now and in the coming days.
Absolutely encourage people to go do something measurable. There is just no need, beyond self-serving ones, to project our personal feelings about what they do to help themselves process this upon them.
To a certain extent, all who bore witness to what happened in Boston today are victims. We all turn to something even if it’s the news.
]]>Ridicule and berate, and you’re being a dick. Quite possibly also a bigot, depending on the subject matter.
Personally, I meditate to re-balance and center… to process the evil to which I am witness. My dad, on the other hand, he prays. Whether anyone or thing is listening is beside the point. Both serve the same purpose, regardless of what he or I may think about the mechanics of what we’re doing. They alter our internal state from one of grief and inaction into one of purpose and drive.
Until we do this, we’re useless to those who need our help.
Anyone with half the sense of the people participating in this discussion should be able to recognize that.
Acknowledging that I do not know the hearts of these people any better than the next guy…
I guarantee that there are victims today that appreciate the prayers and good vibes and well wishes and whatever other positive, intangible ‘energy’ is being directed at them. At least one person who died would tell you if they could they appreciate that.
I also guarantee that they all appreciate the more worldly assistance pouring in now and in the coming days.
Absolutely encourage people to go do something measurable. There is just no need, beyond self-serving ones, to project our personal feelings about what they do to help themselves process this upon them.
To a certain extent, all who bore witness to what happened in Boston today are victims. We all turn to something even if it’s the news.
]]>