Interfaith Group

It is not meant to apologize for the commentary you see in that thread. I can't do that. But I would like to explain it from another vantage point. You see, I am trying hard to contribute, rather than destroy. To add, rather than inflict context. In that effort, I am going to use a blunt expression that is not flattering, so please know that I do not think Kent is aware of or intends his statement to be taken in this way. But the math works out the same, regardless of intent.

"Fuck you, got mine"

Again, I am certain he does not mean it in that way. I doubt he has any idea that is how 'thank god' comes across to some people, when the follow the logical chain to who did and did not survive, and why, and whether any responsibility can be assigned somewhere.

I'm sure he is genuinely grateful that he survived, and I am sure he genuinely credits god on some level with his survival, and that he means that in a positive way, without any malice toward the people who did not survive.

But I share the frustration you see in that other thread, because, as I said, the math works out the same. If god can be credited whatsoever with the infrastructure and medical expertise that saved him, as well as the circumstances by which he survived, then that has implications for the dead, that are not flattering.

That is why it draws an angry response from someone like me. That was my knee jerk initial emotional reaction when I read the headline/lead paragraph. It sounds monstrously callous and arrogant to me, on first reading. I had to actively suppress that reaction, and look to what he meant, to see that he doesn't mean it that way, and find a shred of anything I could empathize with whatsoever. I firmly believe, because I share the same nature, that the angry responses in that thread are due to the FYGM interpretation of his statement. Hence, the vitriol.

Anyway, like I said, not trying to excuse the anger you see in that thread, just trying to contribute, if that helps with some level of understanding.