As Ike approaches, incantations go out to an imaginary sky daddy
12 September 2008 by Stardust
Just read this headline at MSN’s mainpage. The media continues to perpetuate the god shit instead of emphasizing GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE AREA:
As Ike storm surge begins, ‘it’s time for prayers’
GALVESTON, Texas – Hurricane Ike rumbled through the Gulf of Mexico as a 350-mile-wide monster Friday toward the Texas coast, led by a massive storm surge that was already flooding homes many hours before the main event was to begin. Texas Gov. Rick Perry said authorities had done everything they could to evacuate more than 1.2 million people from the coast and “now it’s time for prayers.”
Perry said the hurricane could cause more than $100 billion of damage, making it the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, while Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who called the storm “potentially catastrophic,” warned that as many as 100,000 homes could be flooded.
My heart does go out for victims of natural disasters. And “praying” is just saying as Gov. Perry says that they have done everything they can do. But when will anyone ever say that people must use their brains and common sense in order to have a chance to survive these things because that is what it actually takes . . . human survival skills.
-
Prayer will not stop a hurricane or any other forces of nature beyond our control.
When “prayers are answered in Florida, for instance and the hurricane changes course, what about the prayers of those in the new path of inevitable disaster?
To the news media, STOP THIS PRAYER BULLCRAP and encourage people to follow evacuation orders to get the hell out of the storm’s path. Homes can be replaced, things can be replaced but no god will save your life.
Other things that have been done is the national guard and rescue units are on alert ready to help clean up and help the ones who chose to stay and pray.
12 September 2008, on 9:18 pm
Admittedly, when a lot of politicians and other sorts in the public eye say it’s “time to pray” they are actually saying “let’s hope for the best.”
That said, there are plenty of Christards out there who actually believe their incantations to caprecious invisible friends actually can affect the path of a natural disaster. Why don’t we ever hear any of these sorts imploring the populace to sacrifice an ox at the alter to offer a pleasing odor to the lawd? Prayers are nice, but what the modern-day diety on the go really appreciates are charred beasts of burden!
12 September 2008, on 11:37 pm
I’ve been yakking about the, apparently unconscious, use of this lingo in the media for a long time.
The “Thank Gawd”, “Gawd forbid”, “Hearts and prayers” and any number of wishful thinking fantasies about a Sky-Daddy effecting natural events often ruffles my erswhile “feathers”.
[cue Owl image?]
It points up to me the fact that, almost without exception, all media people, as well as all current Political leaders are unquestionably and seriously delusional about the nature of the Universe. As exemplified by the recent Palin fracas, they ALL believe that this World is governed by an “Almighty Creator”, who has a definite “Plan” for the unfolding of life on this ID planet. Evolution is, practically speaking…even for those who claim to basically, or partially accept Darwin…not really a part of their totally conditioned way of thinking.
Of course…sticking with our “Western” culture…except for the Muslims, who, more honestly, wouldn’t really flinch at things like hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. being openly attributed to their “Allah” version of “there’s really only One” deity…i.e…essentially the same deity, worshiped under a different name…the Judeo/Xtian variety like to conveniently let “Him” off the hook, and blame the purely metaphorical “Mother” Nature.
Again, the Mother/Father duality which, by tradition, always, even subtly, I claim, allows the blaming of the woman. In doing that, which coincidentally flies in the face of the “Not my will, but thine be done” mantra; they can continually…and rather selfishly…try to appease and appeal to their version of Sky-Daddy to somehow alter His “Infinte, All-Wise Plan”.
It makes absolutely no sense at all; BUT…sense…or rational thinking…has absolutely nothing to do with most people’s “everyday”, ultimate approach to the understanding of the World…ala Science, or even an INKLING of a more Rational Cosmology.
It most likely “ain’t gonna change” in the foreseeable future. Why? Because no one wants to be insulting, or nitpicking, to the other “guy” by bringing up such a complicated thing like actually explaining the Scientific “reality” versus the purely Mythological “belief” fantasy.
Personally, it still bothers me every time I hear that stupid stuff; and I’m often chided by my “companion” for often hollering at the TV…something which invariably includes:
You stupid, fucking, delusional idiots” in my futile outburst!
13 September 2008, on 7:23 am
Media representatives will claim that they are not promoting prayer but simply reporting. I’m not so sure. I think that by covering story after story in this manner, they are in essence promoting prayer as a common and viable solution. Perhaps they should share liability when death or injury results from this sort of idiocy?
13 September 2008, on 9:50 am
Media representatives will claim that they are not promoting prayer but simply reporting. I’m not so sure. I think that by covering story after story in this manner, they are in essence promoting prayer as a common and viable solution.
Hi vjack, You are absolutely right. Since the majority of people hold some variety of superstitious belief, it is likely that most of the media are god botherers of some sort. They are the ones promoting people to use magical incantation in lieu of common sense and human action. And for all the prayers and magical wishes, what is happening today? Rescue workers…human beings…have to go in and save the asses of the ones who stayed behind because their god didn’t show up, as usual. Instead of promoting prayer, promote common sense. What people need to do is follow mandatory evacuation orders and get out. For those who can’t on their own, take the help the authorities are giving to help you get to safety because no god comes.
Authorities fear that tens of thousands of people who defied orders to flee will need rescue
13 September 2008, on 1:31 pm
Maybe they should do what the mayor of New Orleans did and say if you don’t evacuate, you’re on your own.
You do know Perry went on the 700 Club and called atheists a virus, right?
13 September 2008, on 2:07 pm
I’ve been through Andrew and I do feel for those who stayed behind, but only because I know how absolutely horrifying it can be to go through a storm of that category. That said, I didn’t have to deal with flooding and/or storm surge in my experience, and I suspect they’re in for far worse in a way.
It’s insane not to evacuate when mandated for many reasons, but a really important one is that none of those hundreds of rescue workers can go to your aid if you call in during the hurricane. A very effective PSA here in South Florida plays recordings of real 911 calls made during various hurricanes, in which you hear panicked, desperate citizens who refused to evacuate pleading for help – and Dispatch having to tell them that they cannot send out help right now. You just can’t deliberately endanger one life for another’s, especially if conditions are so bad that the rescue might not even reach the people asking for it.
If Perry’s such a doGbotherer that he would make that comment on the 700 Club, AUM, I predict a lot more doGbothering talk, wringing of hands, and public incantation when this is all over. In the end, like Star pointed out, what will make the difference for the displaced and dispossessed will be the assistance of their fellow human beings.-
13 September 2008, on 5:05 pm
AUM, did he really?! I knew I hated Texas but that’s the icing on the cake…
13 September 2008, on 5:27 pm
Or we could go the other way and say that Hurrican Ike hitting Texas is god’s punishment for the policies of the Bush administration.
14 September 2008, on 12:40 pm
Tommykey,
Nah, that won’t work on xtians. God punishes heathens, the religious are “tested.”
16 September 2008, on 6:02 pm
Twenty dead in Galveston and Brazoria counties as of right now; I wish they’d say how many of the casualties were people who refused to evacuate. This is a lesson that needs to be emphasized strongly and often, so that in the future homeowners think twice about staying despite orders to leave.