How Could God Allow It To Happen
Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
In my last article I wrote about God and prefaced the article saying that I never write about religion and most likely never will again. Well, I lied. Here's another one about God, religion or whatever one would label an article like this. The only reason I write it is because I just talked to two recent military returnees from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and that coupled with a TV program I watched, got me going in the direction of the Maker.
One life-long soldier and friend who I was close with for years never used to give me his opinion on what he thought of America's wars in that region. I never pushed him on the matter either. All he ever used to tell me was, "My country sent me there to do a job and I'll do it." Salt of the earth soldier. However, now that he will not be deployed in a war zone again and retirement looms close for him, he talked a little more from his feelings.
Furthermore, and more importantly regarding this article, I talked to a young soldier, a much younger one who saw much action. He was a sniper. Recently, he got into a heated discussion with some family members about God. Apparently, he was asked if he believed in God. He told the quite religious family members that he wasn't sure anymore. The family members were aghast and could not believe what they were hearing. They pounced on him! After all, he used to go to church on Sundays and believed in God all of his life.
The young veteran said he saw things and did things he was taught to do to survive and protect his allies that he cannot believe God, if there was one, would allow to happen. When I heard this, it hit a chord with me as I had just watched a television show on Hitler and how many Jews, Gypsies and others he killed and how many assassination attempts came close to killing him but always something happened to thwart them, quite often small coincidences. I wondered how a God could allow that to happen! So, when I heard the young soldier saying pretty much the same thing I had pondered, it hit home. We were thinking alike.
I personally believe his doubt of a god is a good thing. I think many people are brainwashed about God in the sense they are told things and they fall into line because someone tells them to do so. I believe the young soldier will be better served by pondering that very valid question about God and come to his own understanding of it all. With the correct help from knowledgeable people and self reflection he may find the correct answer. As for me, a big part of the answer lies in a quote that I stumbled on about a year ago that is self explanatory. I'll leave it to the readers to discern anything of truth or value in it, on their own. For me, it makes the most sense regarding war and many other crazy things man does to his fellow man. Here's that quote and as far as I know, there is no valid known author:
"I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly. I have done something," He replied. "I created you."
Furthermore, and more importantly regarding this article, I talked to a young soldier, a much younger one who saw much action. He was a sniper. Recently, he got into a heated discussion with some family members about God. Apparently, he was asked if he believed in God. He told the quite religious family members that he wasn't sure anymore. The family members were aghast and could not believe what they were hearing. They pounced on him! After all, he used to go to church on Sundays and believed in God all of his life.
The young veteran said he saw things and did things he was taught to do to survive and protect his allies that he cannot believe God, if there was one, would allow to happen. When I heard this, it hit a chord with me as I had just watched a television show on Hitler and how many Jews, Gypsies and others he killed and how many assassination attempts came close to killing him but always something happened to thwart them, quite often small coincidences. I wondered how a God could allow that to happen! So, when I heard the young soldier saying pretty much the same thing I had pondered, it hit home. We were thinking alike.
I personally believe his doubt of a god is a good thing. I think many people are brainwashed about God in the sense they are told things and they fall into line because someone tells them to do so. I believe the young soldier will be better served by pondering that very valid question about God and come to his own understanding of it all. With the correct help from knowledgeable people and self reflection he may find the correct answer. As for me, a big part of the answer lies in a quote that I stumbled on about a year ago that is self explanatory. I'll leave it to the readers to discern anything of truth or value in it, on their own. For me, it makes the most sense regarding war and many other crazy things man does to his fellow man. Here's that quote and as far as I know, there is no valid known author:
"I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly. I have done something," He replied. "I created you."
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Steve, Great article. The quote really makes you stop and think. [I wondered if you're article was about the little girl beaten with a brick in the trailer park and then dismembered. That's also when I wonder how God could allow such a thing to happen.]Hi Nancy--always nice hearing from you.
No, I didn't even hear about the brick thing, but you know Nancy, every day something crazy happens similar. When I was eight, I was almost killed by some nut--I write about it in my book. I was lucky to have been saved at the last minute--many are not. So, maybe that's partially why I do some of what I do to make a difference---who knows, maybe I'll get analyzed one day and find out...lol.
Thanks...............
A Plus for consideration. That's an easy one, and fear of His reprisal aside, God is the 1% among us who determine how and if the world turns and the rest of us merely the benefactors or commodities of His whim. Good day.Dave--good to know you're still alive. And sir, you may be correct--what the hell do I really know about this stuff anyway--it's not like I'm some priest or something--just my views.
Stay in touch and be well.
SteveThank you Steve. And as is with anything that has to do with matters of the heart as God or belief in is, as the very essence of God or his son is belief, because that it is maintained is the only way to salvation. All we mere mortals have is our opinion and we all know how that saying goes, we all have one. I must say though that if there were more people in the world like you it would certainly make my opinion much harder to be sure of. Peace.Thanks Dave--nice compliment........appreciate it......checks in the mail...............
S
Excellent article Steve. I like your quote at the end from an anonymous source. God or spiritually is a personal journey. I hope that young soldier is able to get some counseling by professionals; to help him ease of the war mind. My heart goes out to him.Thanks Marianne,
The soldier did get counseling before he left the military and from what I hear it was quality help. But, things like this take time to work thenselves out--some never work out well, however, with todays great counseling, I think many more will be better off than in the past.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to write.
Steve
Usually people question the existence of God when bad things befall them and praise God when good things happen for them. In a war situation it's life or death, friend or enemy, win or lose that matters so war is bad, real bad, it makes people wonder is there a god above ?
Thank you for writing, Steve.Yes, that's probably a problem--to only look to the Creator in times of good or bad.
War sucks. Don't get me wrong. I believe in war at certain times. I just have an issue with protracted, stupid or in some wars, well many wars throughout the ages--political wars initiated by a few people on both sides. War, should be a last resort and no games or "politics" should play a part--go in and kick ass and get the hell out. If someone abuses us or a country abuses the people or nation again, go back in and kick butt again. Not 10 years in a country or fighting for ego type reasons by some countries such as has occurred throughout the ages.
Yes, people certainly think about God in war. There's an old saying--there are no atheists in foxholes. Probably pretty true..........
Steve
Great article, and the quote at the bottom has great merit. When God created the Universe he spoke into existence... he also spoke natural laws into existence, and he isn't going to break them; they are permanent. As the God of billions/zillions who do you pick and choose to help, especially when there is so much sin in the world. Do you choose the innocents-only children. Do you choose only Christians, or how should he work that out?
What part of FREE WILL do people NOT understand. One of the natural laws is our free will to choose to obey or not, to choose Jesus or not, to choose to do good or not.To murder, steal, hate, love, give, marry, live, etc. To pervert the Gospel or to live by it correctly, it's all choice, period. It's all documented in his Word, and clearly stated, so to take it or leave it.... is our choice...FREE WILL, and no excuses later.
Man/woman was given dominion over the earth, and they gave it to the Devil through temptation. So you don't believe in the devil? Well you can't have a positive without a negative; so good vs evil is very real. Heaven and Hell are the positive/negative for obedience. Everyone asks 'Why did God let this happen?...Why isn't it obvious the MAN/WOMAN (people) through the Devil's influence made this happen! God uses us to change things like the quote "he created us" said; Jesus said "greater works than these that I do will you do in my name". Whose walking that close to God these days, with that kind of faith? A few. Why aren't the miracles making news, or being questioned? When someone gets healed of cancer, or an arm or leg grows back...why isn't that front and center?
No, it's like the DEVIL gets someone to do a HORRIBLE EVIL, and we want to know why God Allowed it, so does that mean he should take away the natural laws of freewill from every person on the earth, so that act did not happen? We all become zombies, who can't decide what cereal to eat in the morning, so that nothing bad ever happens? So you are God, how would you choose to solve those natural law problems, if you decide now to make a change. Once you take away free will, what power does that give the Devill now? What does that world look like? Should we be made to believe in God and be like the Stepford Wives? Just asking.Wow! You bring forth a lot to ponder... a whole bunch. Interesting to hear about if there is a good there has to be a bad. Intersting to hear about natural laws. Interesting to hear about free will and if that was taken away what would we or the world be like. You bring some good things up that will make me think--which is a good thing! Thanks for the great food for thought for my brain to chew on.
SteveSometimes I get carried away, but it's an important subject. one of my analogies is that, if two guys are behind you at a ball park, and one keeps hitting you in the back of the head, but when you look around he keeps pointing at the other guy (intent on watching the game), eventually you will jump on the innocent one....if you believe the guilty one. I feel like that's what the devil does. He whacks someone, then points them to God with the question "Why would he allow it?.
All of us do not want the terrible murders and heinous things happening, and neither does God. There are times he intervenes, when people are obedient.
For example: The case of 9/11...one plane went down in PA headed for the WH/Capital. NYC and Pentagon were hit, so who didn't pray for them?? Did someone pray for WH/Capital protection? Intercessors may be called for one, and not the other...that's why obedience is so important. One obeys, one or two do not, maybe that prayer caused the PA passengers to rise up?? Was it all left for chance?? I don't think it was left to chance.
I've said enough...Your article was great and it should have set lots of people thinking. People should be raising questions.
...Happy New Year.Thanks Elle--it got me thinking too--thanks.
Happy New Year to you as well.
Steve
God has very little to do with the "blueprints" we and our spirit helpers arrange before each incarnation; if a child is mauled by a tiger or run over by a bus, that is firmly in her "blueprint" to teach those around her harsh lessons about loss, grief, sacrifice, bereavement and sorrow to give them opportunity to grow spiritually; I call this the 'tyranny of Heaven', as I am most unhappy about any part of this pre-arranged stuff and nonsense of the spirit world.
God has put this all in place to allow us to wrest opportunity from the center of hardship, a silly but uncompromising hard and fast fact.I wonder if you're correct about all this...seems kind of hopeless and unyielding--I'm not sure. But, I'll listen to everyone as I can use all the help I can get in most things. Until next time my friend.
SteveI agree with you,"...seems kind of hopeless and unyielding"
I used to struggle with all that happens that is bad and if there is a God why doesn't He stop it if He is so good. I would recommend a book entitled, "Is God to Blame." I do not recall the author. This material helped me answer a lot of doubt.
Let me comment about one aspect of love. Love, in its essence, must be received as a gift and can not be taken from someone. I can't force my wife to love me, she must give her love to me, on her own, freely and without condition or its not true love. God created us to have free wills in the hope that we would love Him. But it is our choice to love Him or not. Nevertheless, He loves us unconditionally, even the murderer.
God, in love, gave us the 10 commandments to show us the way to live as a race. Think about the 10 commandments and envision how our race would be if everyone obeyed each commandment all the time. We would be living as intended and loving each other and our God. We have all violated the commandments to various degrees. When we do so we create the problems we see on the planet, including war.
My son has a friend he grew up with that just came back from active duty. He was ordered to killed a man and did so with one shot. The man was riding by on his motorcycle and never knew what hit him. My son's friend cried to me wondering why he did such a horrible thing. He will never be the same over the ordeal. One cannot take someones life and not be changed forever. God did allow this to happen. If He did not allow this to happen and stopped the bullet, He would violate His own laws of creation, the law of free will which is our God given right. God is not to blame, we are.Interesting points, Jim. As for your example about the soldier shooting a person on a motorcycle, I have heard other stories that are similar. They will never be the same but that does not mean they cannot get it together. As for the 10 commandments: that made a lot of sense and I wonder if that is a key to a lot of what we have been talking about.
Thanks for writing about a topic that is certainly worth much consideration and understanding for us all.
Steve
My new egalitarian rabbi, has six commandments, and four do-the-best-that-you cans!Ha-ha....you can't lose with the stuff he use.... boxer Muhamahad Ali's famous & in this case, appropriate saying regarding your rabbi......
Steve, your conclusion really moved me. I've wrestled with this question for so long, and I can barely imagine how hard it must be for that young man and others who fight in wars, especially when they go in with ideals that have very little to do with the brutal realities they're forced to face. My heart goes out to them.
My belief is that God is a creative force from which we have emerged, and we're still in the process of evolving. God doesn't rescue us from the consequences of our actions, because that's how we evolve. Unfortunately when we send young men to war, and we haven't exposed them to the truth of what they will encounter so they can make an informed decision about whether they really want to do it or not, they're the ones who pay.
Hard to make sense of that if you're the kid who's had to blow somebody's head off.Hi friend from S. Africa,
The US military is volunteer. Everyone SHOULD know what they may have to face, but do all of them--no not really. Once they go to boot camp they learn some real realities because the US military is a very experienced force now--second to no one. However, a kid from the suburbs who might never have had a fist fight now gets thrown into HELL--it is very tough--emotionally. War should never be gone into without deep deep thought. But, man (governments) have been doing it since the dawn of time. As for God and your idea on it---interesting--more food for thought. This article is making me think a bunch...I smell burning....my brains on overload.
Steve, you are right on target and said it better and more eloquently than anyone I know!
Thanks Fran...
You and I think alike...great....I hope....haha
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Great article.
I am new to this site and was wondering if it was/is the right choice for me.
The open mindedness of both you and those who have commented tell me that I have made the right choice.
There is nothing that I would rather read or talk about then God/spirituality as long as no has an agenda.
Thanks again for your respectful and open tone on this matter.
Kind Regards, dawn
Hi Dawn,
Thanks...
The people are great here. I consider some of them good friends who I look forward to hearing from. I hope you become one of those friends too!
I think open mindedness is the only way to be in most matters. Also, thank you for noticing my tone, I appreciate that.
Hope to be talking to you often.
Steve
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