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As many of you know, I'm of no religious persuasion. Any reader that is might wish to ignore this post. It's not my intent to offend anyone or push any buttons.
There was a "memorial service" held at Fort Hood yesterday (Nov . 10) honoring the 13 personnel killed by a crazy man. Why didn't I watch it? For one reason, I get too emotional--sad and angry that it happened, and that innocent lives were taken. Watching grieving family members is more than I can handle.
For another reason, the religious aspect of the service bothers me. I realize it's part and parcel of a memorial service, but it triggers a negative response in me.
"Amazing Grace" is a most beautiful song, melody and chords wonderful. The lyrics trouble me. To be singing about "God's Grace" at a service where 13 people were slaughtered, strikes me as being hypocritical (for lack of a better word). Perhaps if only an instrumental version of the song was played, it would have been better.
When interviewed, some witnesses thanked God for being saved. When misfortune spares one, why does that person think he's been blessed? What makes him think he's been singled out to live while others die? No matter what the tragedy--earthquakes, floods, shootings--the survivors "thank God" or express some inane sentiment that "God was with me". What about those killed?
If humans give credit to God for anything and everything, from survival to a touchdown to nice weather, who gets blamed for mass murders, birth defects, hurricanes, battlefield deaths, etc., etc.? Is "mother nature" different from God? Why do we look at the world through rose colored glasses? How can people rationalize tragedy and misfortune?
There is no "God" that directs earthly events--natural or human. The universe is a system of cause and effects. Contracting cancer (or not) is not "God's will". It just is. It's the way things are--fortunes of chance, genetics perhaps, or just plain luck (good or bad). There is no "God is on my side" or "In God We Trust". It's all ludicrous, once you think about it.
In no way am I diminishing the memorial service held at Fort Hood. And veterans today should be honored with all the glory and respect they deserve. Let's just keep "God" out of it.
