Will the ranting atheists please stand down?

[Anonymous]

My brother is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish in Newtown. He was a first responder. He has been ministering to the families and the community ceaselessly. Their memorial mass last night was overflowing.

While reading the news coverage of the vigil, I see countless comments by strident atheists mocking everything about faith and God, from MSNBC to CNN to Huffington Post...everywhere. Who are these people? Why are they spending their time in the wake of this tragedy smugly proclaiming people of faith to be fools?

I even saw one article slamming an elderly priest who was interviewed immediately after tending to families at the fire station for "laughing inappropriately," insinuating he thought this devastation was funny, when it was clearly a hysterical, sobbing reaction to trauma.

My small request to anyone who is tempted to proclaim the atheist gospel to give it a rest for now. Show some respect. If you have no words of comfort, just don't say anything at all.

[Anonymous]

Um, are we allowed to say the same thing to believers in the big spaghetti monster in the sky?

[Anonymous]

Don't the better than thou tend to be the religious and not the atheists?

[Anonymous]

What I don't understand is why atheists are so insecure in their viewpoint that the feel the need to mock others. What's it to an atheist if someone else finds comfort in faith or prayer?

[Anonymous]

Ok, fine. But I need people to stop posting bullshit about this event being the direct result of the removal of god from schools.

[Anonymous]

The families with faith are the only ones who have a shot at getting through this. Let me explain: I know several families who have lost children tragically, and while none of the parents bounced back easily, the ones with any sort of faith (actively practiced a religion) have fared much better than those without religion. I imagine they are able to find some peace in believing their kids are in heaven and that they will one day be reunited. Just an observation.

[Anonymous]

And your sample is obviously scientifically valid .

[Anonymous]

Geez pp, get a life. Sadly I know a bunch of families who have suffered tragic losses. And I couldn't imagine being able to carry on like some of them have. But the religious ones really seem to pick up the pieces. And they aren't merely stoic....they publicly acknowledge their kids are in a better place, etc. Someone without faith can't do that. Scientific? No. But I've seen it, so I'm commenting on it here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez pp, get a life. Sadly I know a bunch of families who have suffered tragic losses. And I couldn't imagine being able to carry on like some of them have. But the religious ones really seem to pick up the pieces. And they aren't merely stoic....they publicly acknowledge their kids are in a better place, etc. Someone without faith can't do that. Scientific? No. But I've seen it, so I'm commenting on it here.

Because then suffering has meaning, and can be redemptive. Innocence destroyed can still be rectified. Justice can still be realized.

If we are all just worm food, then this shooter actually had a better life than his victims. He lived longer than most of them. He chose the time and place and manner of his death. He's not around to see the suffering he caused. He has the same fate as his victims: nonexistence. No justice. No peace. Ho hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And your sample is obviously scientifically valid .

Not looking for scientific certainty jackass. It's obvious that religion provides comfort.

[Anonymous]

So, what you're really saying is that your way of thinking is better than others. Got it.

I would never mock someone turning to their faith to get through a tragedy. I have 2 friends who lost babies and that is what helped them. Glad it did, and I would never tell them their way was in some way wrong.

I don't go on message boards and get nasty about priests or pastors ministering in their communities. They are community leaders, too. Do I have problems with some organized religions? Yes. But, in a tragedy, people seek comfort in different places, among them being their local church communities.

What I am hearing here, though, is superiority. How do you know someone without faith wouldn't have some other community to turn to? I know for damn sure my family and friends would be there for me in a time of crisis. Just because I don't believe in heaven or the afterlife, I'm doomed to despair? I don't think so.

[Anonymous]

I'm not saying anything about you, PP. I'm just saying what I've observed. And I honestly don't think I would be able to persevere (or merely skate by) if I suffered such a tragic loss...but I've noticed that people who have faith somehow seem to not only soldier on, but thrive. It amazes me. And I don't think it's the support they receive from family, friends or their communities....it is something from within. I wish I had such faith...

[Anonymous]

I do not mean to devalue the OPs feelings or grief or the grief and feelings of those she intends to protect.

But...

OP's tone sounds a bit preachy and dismissive to those with beliefs other than OP's own. Which I get is exactly what the point is, but tit for tat won't help. Just let it be. The church will provide some solace to those who want to seek it at the church, and atheists should know when to pipe down. But we are all capable of being sanctimonious, regardless of our religious affiliation.

[Anonymous]

I personally do not think clergy should be talking to the press about comforting people ... the whole clerical privilege thing. Why do they need to see themselves on CNN? Why do they need to comment on the kinds of questions distraught parents have been asking? I'd be really mad if I had conferred with a clergyman and then heard my question coming from his mouth in a CNN interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, fine. But I need people to stop posting bullshit about this event being the direct result of the removal of god from schools.

+1