Playing Favorites

The country seems to be in a lull between natural disasters. Hurricane season is off to a slow start, spring tornadoes have abated, and wildfires have yet to erupt on a large scale. Rest assured, though, that catastrophes of this type (along with others, such as flooding) will soon find their ways into the lives of many. And when they do you can rest equally assured that media crews will be on scene with the breaking news.

Amid the widespread damage incurred by these events, there is usually at least one residence that escapes unscathed. Surrounded by complete destruction, our fortunate homeowner looks into the camera and says, “God was watching over us”. Wow! This guy must really have connections. I cannot help but wonder why the news crew doesn’t race across to the nearest ravaged home-site, find the unfortunate homeowner, and ask, “What in the hell did you do to deserve this?”. After all, if we take the first statement at face value, doesn’t it logically lead to some heinous behavior on the part of the poor soul who has just lost everything?

Many of us give god the credit when good things happen, but who gets the blame when tragedy befalls? We’ve all seen the athlete point an index finger to the heavens after hitting the game winning home run or scoring the decisive touchdown. No pointing skyward, though, when he strikes out or fumbles on the one yard line. How about extending the middle finger in these cases? It would at least level the theological playing field, wouldn’t it? And, if we give the glory to god for our successes, should he not be privy to the ignominy for our failures?

There is an alternative to these explanations: god is elsewhere and paying attention to far greater enterprises than weather patterns or sporting results and the like. If god made the weather, than those living in the paths of associated phenomena occasionally get their clocks cleaned while neighbors do not. To assume good fortune is due to the goodness of god is just about the most pretentious statement one could make for it simultaneously assumes ill fortune is wrought upon those less deserving.

Karma? Well, this theory also has its roots in religion so I’m not too sure if we’re any better off with. It does, however, address the belief that our good acts will pay off in future dividends while less-than-desirable behavior will be equally punished at some point of time, but it still implies some sort of personal responsibility for events that occur in our lives.

While there are, indeed, outcomes that result from our direct participation, there are an even greater number of events that are random. Tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes can seemingly strike anywhere at any time. They are no different than missing a horrific auto accident or any other tragedy by scant seconds. Let’s chalk it up to the randomness of nature or, perhaps, the right place at the right time (or, if you prefer, the wrong place at the wrong time).

I know some of you are thinking it: shit happens. Some of it is good and some of it is bad. How about letting god off of the hook for either one?