Lost in the wilderness?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

My friend got similar sentiments when she lost her four year old to meningitis. It really would have been helpful if Jesus had taught his disciples when to shut the fuck up.

And if La La the garden fairy spirit had got hers to as well.

[floo]

Just like your attitude... Why would people think you give a shit when you ignore the truth that Christ died so the life lost both the woman and child could continue in the next life. Do you have a god who has sent people who raised the dead and healed the sick? Thought not, but you consider yourself able to insult a faith that does?

Jealousy is not a good thing...but is shows how much you ignore that your beliefs, your gods and attitudes can be equally held responsible for the tragedy given that you believe they have power to influence the lives and events of mankind.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

You cannot provide any proof that assertion is true!

[Leonard James]

I'm afraid the bottom line is that we have to try to put these things right ourselves.

No gods, spirits or fairies are going to do anything to help.

[floo]

I'm afraid the bottom line is that we have to try to put these things right ourselves.

No gods, spirits or fairies are going to do anything to help.

Very true!

[Alan Burns]

My friend got similar sentiments when she lost her four year old to meningitis. It really would have been helpful if Jesus had taught his disciples when to shut the fuck up.

Early last year a close friend of our friend Becky lost her three year old daughter, Mariana to meningitis.  Mariana's parents, Mike and Lucinda, were so grateful for the help, support and prayers offered from their friends.  Below is a copy of the email exchange I had with Becky.

Dear Alan,

Thank you so much for your email- the poem is lovely and is a wonderful comfort for suffering.

Lucinda & Mike are surviving on love and prayers- I'm sure this poem will bless the whole family.

We really missed Celebrate- sorry to hear you were unwell...

With love to you all,

Becky


Sent from my iPhone

On 13 Apr 2015, at 09:39, alan burns <dr_a_burns@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Andrew and Becky,
>
> Sorry you were not able to join us at Celebrate this year.
> We had a wonderful week, despite me being ill with a tummy bug for four days.
>
> The childrens' Mass on Thursday morning was dedicated to Mariana.  It was a truly joyful celebration.
>
> One of the highlights was a Baptist minister from Scotland, Rev Jim Graham, who gave two brilliant talks in the main hall.  During one of them, he quoted the poem below when he was talking of his wife's death two years ago.  I thought it might help.
>
> Love and prayers,
> Alan & Fran
>
> My life is but a weaving
> Between the Lord and me;
> I may not choose the colors–
> He knows what they should be.
> For He can view the pattern
> Upon the upper side
> While I can see it only
> On this, the under side.
> Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
> Which seems so strange to me;
> But I will trust His judgment
> And work on faithfully.
> ‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
> And He knows what is best;
> So I shall weave in earnest,
> And leave to Him the rest.
> Not ’til the loom is silent
> And the shuttles cease to fly
> Shall God unroll the canvas
> And explain the reason why.
> The dark threads are as needed
> In the Weaver’s skillful hand
> As the threads of gold and silver
> In the pattern He has planned.
>

[OH MY WORLD!]

Whatever floo, how about evidence for all your whoppers? When you can do that then you have the right to demand the evidence from others.

[floo]

Early last year a close friend of our friend Becky lost her three year old daughter, Mariana to meningitis.  Mariana's parents, Mike and Lucinda, were so grateful for the help, support and prayers offered from their friends.  Below is a copy of the email exchange I had with Becky.

Dear Alan,

Thank you so much for your email- the poem is lovely and is a wonderful comfort for suffering.

Lucinda & Mike are surviving on love and prayers- I'm sure this poem will bless the whole family.

We really missed Celebrate- sorry to hear you were unwell...

With love to you all,

Becky


Sent from my iPhone

On 13 Apr 2015, at 09:39, alan burns <dr_a_burns@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Andrew and Becky,
>
> Sorry you were not able to join us at Celebrate this year.
> We had a wonderful week, despite me being ill with a tummy bug for four days.
>
> The childrens' Mass on Thursday morning was dedicated to Mariana.  It was a truly joyful celebration.
>
> One of the highlights was a Baptist minister from Scotland, Rev Jim Graham, who gave two brilliant talks in the main hall.  During one of them, he quoted the poem below when he was talking of his wife's death two years ago.  I thought it might help.
>
> Love and prayers,
> Alan & Fran
>
> My life is but a weaving
> Between the Lord and me;
> I may not choose the colors–
> He knows what they should be.
> For He can view the pattern
> Upon the upper side
> While I can see it only
> On this, the under side.
> Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
> Which seems so strange to me;
> But I will trust His judgment
> And work on faithfully.
> ‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
> And He knows what is best;
> So I shall weave in earnest,
> And leave to Him the rest.
> Not ’til the loom is silent
> And the shuttles cease to fly
> Shall God unroll the canvas
> And explain the reason why.
> The dark threads are as needed
> In the Weaver’s skillful hand
> As the threads of gold and silver
> In the pattern He has planned.
>

What an evil b*stard the deity is if it exists and cons people into thinking it has their welfare at heart, when clearly it doesn't!

[OH MY WORLD!]

"...cons people..."
Very interesting indeed!

[Alan Burns]

What an evil b*stard the deity is if it exists and cons people into thinking it has their welfare at heart, when clearly it doesn't!

Next to Becky's hospital bed, one of the many prayer cards is signed:

With love from Mike, Lucinda and Mariana in heaven

[Rhiannon]

Next to Becky's hospital bed, one of the many prayer cards is signed:

With love from Mike, Lucinda and Mariana in heaven

The problem, Alan, is when religious people - usually well-meaning - try to feed this stuff to bereaved parents who aren't religious but who nevertheless are trying to make sense of what happened to their child. This is where guidance on keeping quiet rather than dishing out religious platitudes would come in handy.

[Rhiannon]

Sass, I'm sorry that you lost a child. It's not something that anyone ever gets over, I know. Those I know who have been through it say that they found a way of living with it. I'm glad that your faith brought you consolation.

[OH MY WORLD!]

Oh my, if you were to go from just what Rhi is dishing out, one would be conned into believing it's only Christians that say the wrong things at the wrong time. No, if one is real, it's plain that's a human thingy. A monkey sitting on a rock knows that.
Fact is Rhi spewed a very disgusting and offensive remark on this very thread. For the shock factor.

[Shaker]

It didn't shock me in the slightest. But then I'm a grown-up, and not standing in for Bashful with the mock horror-smelling salts shtick.

[ippy]

Neither useful or acceptable. Why did the 4 year old get meningitis?

What had the disciples to do with it or them speaking.

Not even logical is it. Have you lost any children in your family?

We have and I assure you we have had them saved by the LORD, too. Losing a child is something that never goes away. And each birthday none are forgotten. Why not blame your pagan gods... what did they do to help the child?
That's right, they don't do anything because you know they are fake. Whereas Christ and the disciples healed by the power of their God. Maybe more children would be healed if instead of you and other pagans teaching man to reject God, they taught them to embrace him so at least letting them have the chance for their child to be healed.

It is offensive what you wrote but then again you meant it to be. Pity your paganism does not teach you how to behave and treat others.

3

ippy

[Rhiannon]

It didn't shock me in the slightest. But then I'm a grown-up, and not standing in for Bashful with the mock horror-smelling salts shtick.

Well this is it. It wouldn't have shocked me back when I believed, let alone now.

[OH MY WORLD!]

Heya Shake,
No, I would expect your type to love gutter.
What tells me that there is a lot of faking going on is the fact Rhi goes nuts on a person using the phrase ,our women, but she loves Shake using the word, old maid. Why? Cause Shake isn't a Christian, only on Christians will she fake an outrage and try and create a sexist monster where one does not exist.
You're special Shake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96xhahbLgHc

[ippy]

Early last year a close friend of our friend Becky lost her three year old daughter, Mariana to meningitis.  Mariana's parents, Mike and Lucinda, were so grateful for the help, support and prayers offered from their friends.  Below is a copy of the email exchange I had with Becky.

Dear Alan,

Thank you so much for your email- the poem is lovely and is a wonderful comfort for suffering.

Lucinda & Mike are surviving on love and prayers- I'm sure this poem will bless the whole family.

We really missed Celebrate- sorry to hear you were unwell...

With love to you all,

Becky


Sent from my iPhone

On 13 Apr 2015, at 09:39, alan burns <dr_a_burns@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Andrew and Becky,
>
> Sorry you were not able to join us at Celebrate this year.
> We had a wonderful week, despite me being ill with a tummy bug for four days.
>
> The childrens' Mass on Thursday morning was dedicated to Mariana.  It was a truly joyful celebration.
>
> One of the highlights was a Baptist minister from Scotland, Rev Jim Graham, who gave two brilliant talks in the main hall.  During one of them, he quoted the poem below when he was talking of his wife's death two years ago.  I thought it might help.
>
> Love and prayers,
> Alan & Fran
>
> My life is but a weaving
> Between the Lord and me;
> I may not choose the colors–
> He knows what they should be.
> For He can view the pattern
> Upon the upper side
> While I can see it only
> On this, the under side.
> Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
> Which seems so strange to me;
> But I will trust His judgment
> And work on faithfully.
> ‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
> And He knows what is best;
> So I shall weave in earnest,
> And leave to Him the rest.
> Not ’til the loom is silent
> And the shuttles cease to fly
> Shall God unroll the canvas
> And explain the reason why.
> The dark threads are as needed
> In the Weaver’s skillful hand
> As the threads of gold and silver
> In the pattern He has planned.
>

You're like one of those prats that come up with that sanctimonious, never mind they've gone to a better place, nonsense, the worst bit is you probably don't realise how unnecessarily hurtful and tactless, you're being and probably never will.

ippy

[Shaker]

Whatever floo

What a stunning riposte to Floo's absolutely correct point - the depth of thought, the sophistication, the subtlety!

[Walt Zingmatilder]

The problem, Alan, is when religious people - usually well-meaning - try to feed this stuff to bereaved parents who aren't religious but who nevertheless are trying to make sense of what happened to their child. This is where guidance on keeping quiet rather than dishing out religious platitudes would come in handy.

A caricature view of the advice given across the board by Christians.
Do you watch a lot of Dot Cotton on Eastenders.

What do you think La La the garden fairy divinity would have you say Rhiannon?

[Shaker]

Since I doubt if Rhiannon believes in such a thing your comment is, typically, vacuous.

A further point is that, even if she did, a believer in one type of supernatural entity (poorly if at all defined and wholly unevidenced, naturally) and one set of bizarre, implausible and equally undemonstrated claims about reality is in no position to jeer at another person with a different entity and a different set of claims.

Your beliefs about the nature of the universe are right up there with La La the garden fairy and don't you forget it, sunbeam 

A further point still is that your dismal attempt at a No True Scotsman fails miserably since you obviously missed the fact that the sort of thing you try to characterise as a caricature made up by Rhiannon actually came from Christian believers - see Alan's #37 for details.

[ippy]

That's not very fair, people have assumed Alan doesn't distinguish between those who find his comments greatly comforting ( other Christians ) and for those who are not and the words are hollow and not comforting.

He well might see that in some circumstances,  some responses are not appropriate.

He has picked some where it is appropriate.

Sometimes people do find it comforting to receive a message like Alan is quoting, it depends on the individual concerned.

You need to know the person you are responding to, well

Thanks for the post Rose, however, you've missed out whatever that woman that works at your local supermarket Tuesdays on checkout 3; and how Alan's comment efected her, now that would be a little less obvious.

ippy

[Alan Burns]

You're like one of those prats that come up with that sanctimonious, never mind they've gone to a better place, nonsense, the worst bit is you probably don't realise how unnecessarily hurtful and tactless, you're being and probably never will.

ippy

One day you will know the truth, ippy

[Alan Burns]

The problem, Alan, is when religious people - usually well-meaning - try to feed this stuff to bereaved parents who aren't religious but who nevertheless are trying to make sense of what happened to their child. This is where guidance on keeping quiet rather than dishing out religious platitudes would come in handy.

But the only thing that makes sense of what has happened to them can be found in Christian faith.

[Shaker]

But the only thing that makes sense of what has happened to them can be found in Christian faith.

You can make up anything that purports to make sense, Alan. Indeed, you've just done exactly that. The usual arrogance about Christianity and the implicit but clear snub to the consolations offered by other religious worldviews is duly noted also.

Someone, I forget who for the time being, once said quite rightly that all (petitionary) prayer ultimately boils down to: Dear Lord, please let two and two not be four. If you are unable to see that the sort of narratives we've been discussing of late are precisely and exactly the sort of auto-consoling stories we'd expect people to invent in extremities of the utmost anguish and desperation - potentially the worst emotional torture humans are capable of experiencing, I'd say -, stories to make the terrible truth not quite so terrible or indeed not even true, then there's no reasoning with you.

But we knew that already.

[Shaker]

One day you will know the truth, ippy

Do you not feel that even if you're not too old for it, the rest of us are too old for the 'wait till your father gets home' spiel?