-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Natural disasters confront believers with the problem of evil: how could an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good God allow evil or suffering to occur? Some believers claim that God has a purpose that humans are unaware of. As a demonstration of their faith, it is common to hear the faithful thank God for their survival. There is never any mention of blame for those who didn’t survive.
During an interview with a backdrop of devastation, CNN correspondent Wolf Blitzer wasn’t getting that common response from tornado survivor Rebecca Vitsmun. Moments before the tornado tore through it, Vitsmun escaped her house with her 19-month-old son. A perfect moment to express the usual platitude. When it wasn’t forthcoming, Blizer decided to force the issue:
You’ve gotta thank the Lord, right? Do you thank the Lord for that split-second decision?
Vitsmun hesitates awkwardly, smiles, and says: “I-I’m actually an atheist.” Thanking God would have minimized Vitsmun’s courage when she saved herself and her son.
Increasing funding for the National Weather Service, NOAA, and FEMA will save more lives than any amount of prayers.
H/T: Jerry Coyne, Mark Joseph Stern.