Dear God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Oprah,
I wanted to first start with an apology. As you may have noticed, I tend to only get in touch when I want something, but I’m working on that. Oh, sorry. Guess you already knew that.Actually, I’m not looking for much this time other than a little clarification.As you well know, the world is in turmoil. More than 4000 American soldiers and over 100,000 Iraqis, including scores of innocent children, have perished in an assault that began as the result of a little “misunderestimation” by our current leader in the WMD’s department.Over 70,000 human beings have been murdered during the ongoing genocide in the oil-barren Sudan, with that number rising steadily; where men continue to be slaughtered and women brutally raped at an alarming rate. Yet, the world looks on in silence.Poverty and unemployment are on the rise and 45 million Americans are living without health insurance. Although our elected officials refuse to acknowledge the irreversible and irrefutable damage being done to the planet we have now thoroughly trashed, there is a really big elephant residing in America’s ecological living room.OK, so I may be a bit of a downer and I’m not the most fun at a party these days, but it’s not all my fault. It’s kind of hard to be jovial during such times of duress.So what’s the deal? Are you angry? Is it something we did or didn’t do? Or is this some sort of test? Obviously we’re failing miserably if it isMaybe I’m naïve, but if you didn’t want there to be gays, why did you create them? Was that a test too? Hmm. It’s all very confusing.That’s why I decided to go directly to the source. The President has implied on numerous occasions that he has some sort of direct line to you, so I thought what the heck? Maybe I could follow his lead and get my queries answered in a timely fashion too.Because right now, I’m filled with more questions than answers, like, when you said, “Thou shalt not kill,” that meant everyone, right? Like, no killing at all. None whatsoever. Nada,. Zilch. Zero. Never, right? That was my interpretation of that law, anyway.But it seems to me that many of your disciples may be employing a looser interpretation of your admonition not to snuff the life out of their fellow human beings. And it’s my humble observation that your message of love is seriously being trumped by the strong message of hate that many seem to be promoting under the guise of freedom, religion and pseudo-security. While some of those in charge profess to follow the Good Book, I find myself wondering if they only read the cliff notes, because it doesn’t appear that they are getting the full gist of your message.If it’s not too much to ask, I could also use a little explanation on some other key issues, like when are we supposed to employ “An eye for an eye versus “Turn the other cheek?” That’s always been a confusing one for me and I suspect a lot of other people find this bewildering based on the behaviors they often exhibit.Well, I guess that’s all for now. I’ll look for some sign that you got my message. Don’t worry if you can’t respond right away. I’ll understand. I know we’re keeping you pretty busy.Respectfully yours,Jill Jacob - New York/USAShare:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Hi Jill
I agree with you that all these things that are happening are sooo wrong, and it definitely gives Christians a bad name. I believe that thou shalt not kill means thou shalt not kill. And there is so much social injustice in the world… it frustrates me to no end. As a Christian, I often wonder the same as you, “where are you God?”
but then I realize that God doesn’t make people sin. That was our fault. God’s the one who’s willing to put up with our crap and love us anyway.
God is bigger than us, and He works in mysterious ways. He knows what He’s doing, even if we don’t.
Hope that helped!
A loving friend
Ashley
April 11th, 2008 at 2:04 am
jill,
you are absolutely right! god’s will is never hatred. in fact the scriptures say that “god is love”. it also says that if we say that we love god but hate those that he created (no matter how bad they are) then we are a liar and that the love of god is not in us. there are going to be people all over who hurt others do what they want and say “god told them to”. i’ll tell you right now, he didn’t. here’s the deal, god is in the process of putting everything back together. he loves all of his creation and wants it to be fixed. we don’t have to live like this, even though we think we do. the cool part is that he wants us to help. google “shane claiborn” or look up “buyshoessavelives.com” and you will see what god is up to in the world, even if you don’t see it reported on the news at night.
you are right, things are pretty crappy and seem to only be getting worse. the answer is you. what are you going to do about it. how are you going to bring a little bit of heaven here and now?
also, it’s ok to question and struggle with these things. i think we are in trouble when things are screwed up and we’re ok with it. struggle hard and question deep god is more than able to handle it.
peace.
jon
April 11th, 2008 at 11:16 am
LA ORACIÓN DEL ATEO
Oye mi ruego Tú, Dios que no existes,
y en tu nada recoge estas mis quejas,
Tú que a los pobres hombres nunca dejas
sin consuelo de engaño. No resistes
a nuestro ruego y nuestro anhelo vistes.
Cuando Tú de mi mente más te alejas,
más recuerdo las plácidas consejas
con que mi ama endulzóme noches tristes.
¡Qué grande eres, mi Dios! Eres tan grande
que no eres sino Idea; es muy angosta
la realidad por mucho que se expande
para abarcarte. Sufro yo a tu costa,
Dios no existente, pues si Tú existieras
existiría yo también de veras.
Miguel de unamuno
April 12th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Someone above mentioned Shane Claiborn, strangely enough, that’s what I was going to suggest. If you want to understand how things got this way, even while blatantly opposing God’s teachings, you should read Shane’s book “Irresistible Revolution.” I highly recommend this book to you. I think that it will really answer your questions, and might even restore your faith in God.
Heather
April 12th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I’m pretty sure that when Jesus said ‘love you enemy’, he meant it. I’m sorry that Christians are marching lock-step with a regime that is murdering.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
To most, a white canvas sprinkled with small black specks is just “alot of black specks”. And yet the canvas is white, some 99% white but all we focus on is the “small black specks”. There an amazing amount of good out there!
April 13th, 2008 at 7:48 am
“an eye for an eye” refers to the idea that an eye we have on earth will be replicated as an eye in heaven - ie we will receive a spiritual body in heaven equivalent to the physical one we have on earth. Widely misunderstood quote! “Turn the other cheek” is grace at its best of course.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
That was amazing. Thank you!
April 14th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
very well said! however don’t merge human’s mistakes with God’s power and love. if humans make a mess of the beautiful world God created, why should we blame God?
wouldn’t it be easier if God created us but programmed us to function exactly as he wants us to? everywhere would be peaceful and perfect no? but God is love, and due to his extreme love, He gave us free-will! So now that we have free-will and act as we like we shouldn’t point all our mistakes, and negative issues by blaming God.
Jesus is head-over-heels in love with you and me, but he will never push himself onto us. He is a divine ‘gentleman’. He will only come into our lives and mend our broken pieces only if we ask Him.
”Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.” Isaiah 30:15
”Almighty God, how happy are those who trust in you!” Psalms 84:12
peace be with you,
may God bless you.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Jill,
You must also question the will of the people. Civil wars and outright revolts have happened due to a leader the people don’t like/want/didn’t vote for taking power. Power is given, it is not entitled. You might do better asking God why there is so much apathy, why when faced with the loss of freedom, human life, civil rights and environmental disaster, humans continue along as if nothing has happened. Perhaps God is waiting for the people to act, perhaps it is our lesson, as good sons and daughters of God, to act.
Madfishmonger
April 15th, 2008 at 4:41 am
God’s got nothing to do with those things, “The fault is not in our stars but in ourselves”
April 15th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hello All,
well it is very easy to blame everything on God…oh God why did you…Oh God why can’t you…Oh God…and on and on…and human beings are such ungrateful beings and love to blame others but themselves…how many time or incidences you know that you may have been wrong but find a way or an excuse to blame someone else…God send messengers…God gave guidelines…God said informed us that you have a free will and a choice. God said if you want to succeed, if you want peace in this world, if you want to progress, if you want guidance…very simply follow the guidelines…but no we thing we’re smarter, better…what does God know…Bottom line it is us to be blamed for doing whatever we which…whatever we desire to do and not carrying for anyone…so we can not blame no one but ourselves…remember next time you point the finger look at it as 3 finger is pointing back to you…Stop blaming GOD and start blaming me/us (human beings) as it is our actions that causes these.
The war started everyone knew it was a false war but sat and watched it. Everyone knows over 500,000 in New Orleans was homeless and suffered but we spend billions to bring “freedom” to Iraq while people in this country are dying of lack of education, healthcare, jobs…heck we love to buy that nike shoes knowing that some kid in the factory worked a 18 hr shift and they paid him/her pennies…so we know but we live and are immune to it…don’t blame GOD…blame yourself for the action is it your hands…
April 15th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Yeah this Free will thing for people is so overated God.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I’m not going to join in the chorus of the faithful.
If I stand idly by while my child gets run over by a truck, I’d be arrested for negligence and rightly detested by society. If I compounded that error by protesting that I was allowing my child to exercise it’s free will, I’d be in a straitjacket by the time the words were out of my mouth. Nobody would step forward to say that my parenting methods were mysterious but obviously well-intentioned. Certainly, having one’s own children hit by a truck would remain a bad idea. Why should we hold an omnipotent, omniscient divine being to any lower standard?
Granted, if someone else noticed my child in danger and decided not to act, some blame might attach to them. It is the duty of any society to protect it’s young. It is still my child and ultimately my responsibility. If there is a God (and I’m certainly not convinced that there is), he’s either evil or negligent. His children are dying left and right, and most of these deaths are at the hands of his other kids; consider how society would respond to that situation, given a mortal parent.
If God can’t be bothered to accept the blame for my failures, I’m certainly not going to praise him for my successes. If God won’t take responsibility for war, I’m not going to thank him for peace. If he is so powerful that the universe is a week’s work for him, I’m certainly not going to be impressed with his efforts in New Orleans or Iraq. I’m optimistically choosing to disbelieve in God; it’s better than the malevolent alternative. I’m optimistically choosing to believe in the power of humanity to save itself, without or even in spite of any divine interference.
@ humanbeing:
It’s true that money from the Iraq war should be spent to save lives instead of taking them. What of your offerings and tithes? Are they better spent on a new sanctuary or on rice for a starving child? The energy and money you spend supporting the religious establishment could be used so much more constructively.
Just something to think about next time you drop a $20 in the plate.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:14 am
“If you’re looking for someone to pull you outta that ditch, you’re outta luck. You’re outta luck….God’s away, God’s away, God’s away on business. Business” –Tom Waits
April 16th, 2008 at 5:04 am
All that and you haven’t figured it out yet?
There is no God.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:56 am
Is it right to call the people at war, “Christians”? I am referring to the american soldiers who, everyday, mercilessly kill thousands for some cause which was probably fabricated by their government. Is there a need to kill?
Also, i wonder, is it possible for these people to consciously kill person after person, and then in the end just ask for forgiveness and end up There?
April 17th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Pip: War is awful, and I don’t know your beliefs about killing, but you cannot, must not even think about our soldiers as hell-bound, merciless people. If you choose not to support war, then at least choose to support troops, who go to war to protect fellow Americans. They can only take so much, and if society as a whole strips them of every leg they can stand on, even their leg of self worth, then we are murdering them. Too many soldiers suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Don’t make it worse for them.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Hee Hallo, this is not an ideal world!! this is the real world and there is war in the real world, in the ideal world soldiers probably kiss the anemy to death, in the real world the have to do it an other way.
Do you have the balls to figth in a war??, they do!!
May 17th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
i think everything in the world that happens is enividable..it doesn’t mean we wont have suprises or pain or happiness cos maybe in our lifes those things are just inevitable.. they will have been from the start. i worked that out last night. about 3 hours after first hopping onto this site. first it made me depressed then it made me happy now im kinda mixed in between. i realise i’ll go c my mates later have some laughs talk and bitch and these thoughts will be behind me for a bit; i will have had a joyous day. so theres no need to worry. obviously it was inevitable that i was going to work that out. i know i’ll tell people my theory. i tihnk perhaps everyone works out that people can’t help what they do na dsince the begining of time it was already mapped out. things make us feel sad for sure but whoever did it to you cant really help it. i would greatly like to think it is my duty to tell the world this. and that it inevitable im labled some sort of a hero by people you dont believe what i say .. just want peace in the world. but as i type this i guess a whoel bunch of people have had this thought before me. with or without the help and guidence of this site and its people.
i dont know what my point is really but hopefully it gives you inspiration? answers? something to fill up five minutes?
whatever you take it.
beside i cant help if it doesn’t
i was always gunna write this
its not my fault
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:44 am
First of all, do you even know who are you praying to?
Second, how do you know that God is responsable for all these things?
And third. These things are there to happend and you cannot change most of them. Try to mind the things you can change and improve. Small things first.