So a house in my neighborhood burned down

[Brainstormy]

It apparently caught fire in the afternoon. No one was injured but the entire place is charcoal splinters. My reaction was complete astonishment that the fire department had been able to contain the blaze--the houses are pretty close together--without anything, even trees or lawn on adjacent property, sustaining any damage whatsoever. Someone else's response was to put up a HUGE sign in the yard: "Thank you God for your mercy and blessings."

[Warpy]

1. My response would be to bake a basket of goodies for the firehouse

While they're usually decent cooks, I don't think it stretches to baking.

[TxDemChem]

3. Great idea.

Thank the ones who actually did the work.

[Warpy]

6. It's the difference between the religious and an atheist

The religious do something symbolic that gives all credit to whatever spook is in fashion.

Atheists do something concrete to thank the people who actually did all the work.

That doesn't mean the pious never thank anyone real. It just means most of then don't think of it first.

[AlbertCat]

8. The religious do something symbolic that gives all credit to whatever spook is in fashion.

And loudly displays how "wonderful" they are.

[Beearewhyain]

2. Physics

Is weird

[mr blur]

4. Thank you God for allowing this lovely warm fire so close to us!

would be rather more appropriate.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. I guess their god has ADHD.

And only pays attention episodically.

[CrispyQ]

7. They put the sign in their own yard?

Not getting this. Are they suggesting the people in the house that burned are not godly enough?

My reaction would be to start a community drive to help them replace their belongings.

There but for the turn of fortune go I.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. That was my first thought as well.

Every time people do this when they are safe, I feel as if they are condemning the people who didn't fair so well. And that really bothers me.