Friday, September 09, 2005
God and Goodness
So as I watch the coverage of Katrina, and the endless shelters, and the mind altering suffering, I can't help but wonder when we got the idea that good people believe in God, and godless people believe in greed.
It almost seems accepted now, a thing that's not questioned. But I've found, controversial as it seems, that atheists and agnostics, or nonaffiliated people are far more good than the people mindlessly looking for a reward they believe will come. Atheists/agnostics know that this life is their only chance, and they owe it to whoever comes next to do the best they can.
Of course I'm not saying that all godless people are good, or that those that believe in God are greedy, but it does seem to work out that way many times. At least as often as the other way.
Here's what I keep wondering though. How did we let "them" dictate goodness, or aid, or any of it. How did we let them convince us that they would protect us?
Will people wake up now? I'm up. They've got my attention. I bet they have the Gulf Coasts' attention. I know New Yorkers, in imminent threat of some kind of attack, are paying attention.
But then there are the people who are good, and decent, god fearing or not, that say things like, "well we are Republicans, we'll take care of ourselves. We're not looking for handouts." Why not? What is a government for if not to protect? To help us in ways we are incapable of?
Is it to fool us into praying as they pass around the coffers to give to the God loving Haliburtons and big businesses?
I'm despondent, bereft, confused, and at this moment, feeling awfully godless at a time when God is pretty much all that's left.
It almost seems accepted now, a thing that's not questioned. But I've found, controversial as it seems, that atheists and agnostics, or nonaffiliated people are far more good than the people mindlessly looking for a reward they believe will come. Atheists/agnostics know that this life is their only chance, and they owe it to whoever comes next to do the best they can.
Of course I'm not saying that all godless people are good, or that those that believe in God are greedy, but it does seem to work out that way many times. At least as often as the other way.
Here's what I keep wondering though. How did we let "them" dictate goodness, or aid, or any of it. How did we let them convince us that they would protect us?
Will people wake up now? I'm up. They've got my attention. I bet they have the Gulf Coasts' attention. I know New Yorkers, in imminent threat of some kind of attack, are paying attention.
But then there are the people who are good, and decent, god fearing or not, that say things like, "well we are Republicans, we'll take care of ourselves. We're not looking for handouts." Why not? What is a government for if not to protect? To help us in ways we are incapable of?
Is it to fool us into praying as they pass around the coffers to give to the God loving Haliburtons and big businesses?
I'm despondent, bereft, confused, and at this moment, feeling awfully godless at a time when God is pretty much all that's left.
