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A Conundrum
NMB, Florida October 21, 2001 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
A CONUNDRUM: "IT MUST BE WHAT GOD WANTED"
An Afghanistani, when asked about the attack on America, replied that "It
must be what God wanted." Thinking people all over the world think
differently than most here in America. Their thoughts are not occupied in
the same way about the same things as we think about them. There is no
meeting of the minds. There is no common history, experience or language
between people separated by possession of things and thousands of miles.
This is seen most frequently closer to home. Most newly married live near
each other, speak the same language and share experiences. More than half
of those who get married get divorced. Men and women, according to this
statistic, do not think alike. Despite this they got married. In our
present society in this place at this time there is little connection of
having sex and being married. I am not so sure that most Americans believe
in marriage, Mom and Dad, a home place, and stability - never mind the
differences and problems that arise. I think the sex thing connects young
people, period.
For someone to think that "It must be what God wanted", that someone does
not think. He does, instead, believe. Our problem with believers is that
even if you show the proof over and over again it does not register. "It
must be what God wanted". Fatalism is involved and acceptance of horrible
and terrible things as part of life's normal experiences.
I would like to present a "conundrum". Now a conundrum is a statement that
brings together disparate things that make up a riddle. The riddle here is,
why does your belief in God differ from that Afghanistani's belief in God?
I do not know the answer except that he believes that God wanted what
Americans did not want and that answer suffices for him.
I do not believe that God entered this picture of death, joy of bringing it
and no shame but praising God for helping to bring about this season of pain
and suffering to a nation of smug revelers and stunned observers in the rest
of the world. A conclusion: Let's continue bombing and throwing food at the
same time. Now, THAT is a conundrum! What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
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