Did they consider that maybe God is answering everyone's thoughts and prayers?

[ck4829]

And I'm not being sarcastic at all about it, I'm a believer.

And so maybe...

*Tragedy happens*
"Thoughts and prayers"
*Red flag laws are legislated*
"I don't like this, we should make these laws as weak as possible."

*Tragedy happens*
"Thoughts and prayers"
*March for Our Lives rises up*
"I don't like this, they're clearly George Soros plants. Let's not listen to them"

*Tragedy happens*
"Thoughts and prayers"
*Beto O'Rourke appears out from a crowd and challenges Texan politicians to do their jobs*
"How rude, like really, do we need this right now?"

[crickets]

1. You make a very good point.

I haven't been a churchgoer for many years, but somehow this reminded me of a story from a sermon I heard as a child.

**
Once upon a time, there was a man walking along a cliffside path. He accidentally fell over the side of the cliff and, scrabbling for purchase, managed to grab a root that held his weight. Trying not to panic, he made an effort to climb back up but could not. He held onto the root for dear life, praying and praying for god to save him.

An angel appeared by his side and said, "Your prayers have been heard."

And the man cried, "Oh! You're here to save me! Thank you, thank you!"

The angel caught his eye, and gave him a piercing look. "I have a message for you."

"Yes, yes, what is it?" asked the man.

And the angel said: "Let go."

**
Obviously it made an impression on me, and I thought about it more than once afterward. I took it seriously enough to remember the gist of it decades later. This is a vastly shortened version, likely mangled by poor memory, but the point our rector was trying to get across was about faith and not second guessing god.

If there are sermons like this in churches these days, I don't think the politicians who bother to attend are paying enough attention to them.

[harumph]

2. god tends to get all the credit when good things happen

...and none of the blame when bad things happen. We attribute
to god many characteristics the basis of which are many unfounded premises.
Conventionally, at least in mainstream Christianity, god is presented as "all good," "all just" and "all powerful."
If hypothetically god exists, I'm inclined to think that at least one of those characteristics is false.