You're poor and dying because God hates you

[Tempest Virago]

I was sitting in on an AA meeting Wednesday afternoon, and that is sort of what spawned this. It is pretty disjointed and spat out really quick, so it probably sucks. Anyway...

AA meetings talk a lot about God, which is okay. I don't mind people being religious. But there's a point at which I start getting angry - that point is the point where phrases like, "If you have enough faith, God will give you what you need," and "God always helps those who deserve it," start getting thrown around. A couple of weeks ago, I heard some stuff like this at another meeting, put in a particularly patronizing way, and I got so visibly angry that my friend dragged me out of the meeting to listen to me rant for 5 minutes.

Supposing for a moment that God does exist, God does not give everybody who has faith what they need, and God does not always help those who deserve it. I have a friend who is seriously one of the sweetest, friendliest, most generous people I have ever met, and who has faith. He fell off a train tressel Wednesday night (if anybody here has seen the movie 'Lost Boys' it's the one in that movie) and is now in a coma in the hospital. In these people's worldviews, that shouldn't happen.

If God is what they seem to think - a force that cares about every individual and rewards those who deserve it - then why are plenty of good, faithful people homeless, or dying? If God is willing to take the time to help you quit alcohol, why won't he take the time to help somebody whose people are suffering from genocide? Why are you special? Maybe God just likes white, middle-class people better, I don't know. Not only is that a pretty shitty God, but it's a God I have an even harder time believing in than most.

[Richter]

The God they have there is the God they hope the idea of will pull someone's ass into a better life. 

[Corvidia]

I'm sorry, Tempest. Your friend has my best wishes for his recovery.

I sometimes think that the Calvinists have the most accurate view of the Christian god. Only those he's chosen are the ones who get any of his help. Everyone else is doomed to misery, pain, and hell.

[Prelate Diogenes Shandor]

I don't mind people being religious. But there's a point at which I start getting angry - that point is the point where phrases like, "If you have enough faith, God will give you what you need," and "God always helps those who deserve it," start getting thrown around. A couple of weeks ago, I heard some stuff like this at another meeting, put in a particularly patronizing way, and I got so visibly angry that my friend dragged me out of the meeting to listen to me rant for 5 minutes.

Supposing for a moment that God does exist, God does not give everybody who has faith what they need, and God does not always help those who deserve it. I have a friend who is seriously one of the sweetest, friendliest, most generous people I have ever met, and who has faith. He fell off a train tressel Wednesday night (if anybody here has seen the movie 'Lost Boys' it's the one in that movie) and is now in a coma in the hospital. In these people's worldviews, that shouldn't happen.

If God is what they seem to think - a force that cares about every individual and rewards those who deserve it - then why are plenty of good, faithful people homeless, or dying? If God is willing to take the time to help you quit alcohol, why won't he take the time to help somebody whose people are suffering from genocide? Why are you special? Maybe God just likes white, middle-class people better, I don't know. Not only is that a pretty shitty God, but it's a God I have an even harder time believing in than most.

Additionally, their worldview is biblically inaccurate as well... The biblical Book of Job basically centers around the Lord allowing the devil to torment and persecute a righteous man in order to settle a bet.

[Jenne]

To the OP:  the Pee-Oh-Pulls who believe in "God" never can answer all those hard-hitting questions.  Guess why?

[Cain]

Their God is a prop for their self-righteous "I've got mine because I'm a better person and, furthermore, fuck you" worldview.

This and nothing more.  Its like The Secret, only more socially acceptable.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

The Christian God is a total dick.

I can understand worshipping him, but maybe people shouldn't harbor delusions that he's "love" or anything like that.

[Aufenthatt]

Wouldn't it make more sence to be a satanist?

[Requia ☣]

Depends on the Satan, in one view the devil tried to force worshiping God down peoples throat.

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

Depends on the Satan, in one view the devil tried to force worshiping God down peoples throat.

It helps to hide it in some cheese.

[Cain]

Satanists are invariably boring, self-glorifying douchebags or Christians who've gone psychotic.  Either one seems a losing proposition.

[Richter]

LaVey figured out and put down in short order what it took a LOT of shrinks years to agree on.  I'd give more credence to his writings and less to his church, though.  You learn a lot as a Carnie.

[Pope Lecherous]

I was sitting in on an AA meeting Wednesday afternoon, and that is sort of what spawned this. It is pretty disjointed and spat out really quick, so it probably sucks. Anyway...

AA meetings talk a lot about God, which is okay. I don't mind people being religious. But there's a point at which I start getting angry - that point is the point where phrases like, "If you have enough faith, God will give you what you need," and "God always helps those who deserve it," start getting thrown around. A couple of weeks ago, I heard some stuff like this at another meeting, put in a particularly patronizing way, and I got so visibly angry that my friend dragged me out of the meeting to listen to me rant for 5 minutes.

Supposing for a moment that God does exist, God does not give everybody who has faith what they need, and God does not always help those who deserve it. I have a friend who is seriously one of the sweetest, friendliest, most generous people I have ever met, and who has faith. He fell off a train tressel Wednesday night (if anybody here has seen the movie 'Lost Boys' it's the one in that movie) and is now in a coma in the hospital. In these people's worldviews, that shouldn't happen.

If God is what they seem to think - a force that cares about every individual and rewards those who deserve it - then why are plenty of good, faithful people homeless, or dying? If God is willing to take the time to help you quit alcohol, why won't he take the time to help somebody whose people are suffering from genocide? Why are you special? Maybe God just likes white, middle-class people better, I don't know. Not only is that a pretty shitty God, but it's a God I have an even harder time believing in than most.

I wouldn't lose any more hair over this God thing if i were you.  It has always seemed to me that it's a feeble attempt to assign meaning to (and thus validate) believers' lives/existences.  During times of misfortune when circumstances imply there is no benevolent God looking out for his creations, it's just part of his mysterious 'plan' which is obviously beyond our limited comprehension... a copout if i ever heard one.

You're friend will be okay, hopefully.  I hope it works out the way you want it.  Good luck to you and your friend

[LMNO]

LaVey figured out and put down in short order what it took a LOT of shrinks years to agree on.  I'd give more credence to his writings and less to his church, though.  You learn a lot as a Carnie.

If you're curious, head on over to EB&G and ask Bella about Satanists. 

She's had first-hand experience with that particular form of douchebaggery-- her father is one.

[Jenne]

WAS.  He died recently.  But yeah, Bella got to hang out with Anton LeVey and his ilk back in the day, poor thing.