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August 31, 2005

An Exercise in Futility

It boggles the rational mind:

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- As parts of flooded New Orleans slip into chaos and Gulf Coast communities struggle to deal with the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana's governor is declaring Wednesday a day of prayer.

In declaring Wednesday a day of prayer in the state of Louisiana, Blanco asked residents to ask "that God give us all the physical and spiritual strength to work through this crisis and rebuild."

"As we face the devastation wrought by Katrina, as we search for those in need, as we comfort those in pain and as we begin the long task of rebuilding, we turn to God for strength, hope and comfort," Blanco said.

Right-o. Since God apparently couldn't be bothered to listen to all those prayers for saving the city, there's good reason to think he's going to listen now.

The tenuous grasp on logic that exists in the mind of many when it comes to their religious beliefs is sad. If the hurricane misses the city, they thank God. If it hits the city, but it doesn't flood, they thank God. When the levee breaks, but they survive while others drown, they thank God. When the whole damn city is underwater, with untold numbers dead, with civilization breaking down in the Big Easy, they still look for some reason to believe.

Here's an idea: there is no God. Or, if there is, he really doesn't care about you. All we have is each other.

Governor Blanco, your state and her people might be better served declaring a day of "Get Out and Help Those Affected Rather Than Talking to the Sky." Something about hands that help being better than lips that pray...