# Turning your life over to God? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 19, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307 "2012-02-19T05:53:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/21 "2012-02-20T18:57:47Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > The next hit single: > > “If God is my copilot, why did I crash and burn” I always liked “God was my copilot but we crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him." ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/22 "2012-02-20T18:59:57Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I always liked “God was my copilot but we crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him." “Unless you eat of my flesh, and drink of my blood, you shall not have life within you.” ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/23 "2012-02-20T19:28:33Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > But the fact that her husband got a call from a former coworker for a contract job is proof that “God always provides.” > > My eyes were rolling so much that if they would have come up cherries, quarters would have dropped out my ass. Reminds me of a 2nd cousin who was doing missionary work in India (converting the heathens and whatnot). His letters made it clear that they could use a small refrigerator. Some not-very-subtle hints were dropped. Well my grandfather sent them the money to buy their fridge. He was not a religious man, but was very family oriented, and a nice guy. The next letter to everyone? Jesus had bought them a new refrigerator. Thank you Jesus! No mention of my grandfather at all. Needless to say, that was the last time he sent them any money. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/24 "2012-02-20T19:35:02Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Reminds me of a 2nd cousin who was doing missionary work in India (converting the heathens and whatnot). His letters made it clear that they could use a small refrigerator. Some not-very-subtle hints were dropped. > > Well my grandfather sent them the money to buy their fridge. He was not a religious man, but was very family oriented, and a nice guy. > > The next letter to everyone? Jesus had bought them a new refrigerator. Thank you Jesus! No mention of my grandfather at all. Needless to say, that was the last time he sent them any money. Perhaps it was the note he sent with the money: “Next time, just ask for the damn money instead of dropping all those clumsy hints. Jesus Christ!” ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/25 "2012-02-20T19:36:25Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I think the songwriter is confusing Jesus with The Force. Yes. If Alec Guinness isn’t speaking over my shoulder, I ain’t buying it. ---
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/26 "2012-02-20T19:46:15Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > I haven’t listened to the song in question but I’d guess the songwriter uses the example of driving as a metaphor for directing one’s life, as many others have done before. Clearly that’s the case, but it turns out to be a terrible analogy. Christ or no Christ the driver essentially gives up, failing to take the recommended corrective action; the analogue to “directing one’s life” in that fashion would be (I suppose) laying down and letting come what may. From a religious perspective I suspect better advice would be not _Jesus, take the wheel_ but rather _Jesus, please guide my hands according to your will_ or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/27 "2012-02-20T19:57:41Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Perhaps it was the note he sent with the money: > “Next time, just ask for the damn money instead of dropping all those clumsy hints. Jesus Christ!” You win one (1) internet. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/28 "2012-02-20T20:15:08Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I always liked “God was my copilot but we crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him." Then there’s, “If God is your copilot, move over” (I guess that means you’re a shitty driver) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/29 "2012-02-20T22:16:14Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > I haven’t listened to the song in question but I’d guess the songwriter uses the example of driving as a metaphor for directing one’s life, as many others have done before. The [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydBPm2KRaU&ob=av3e). It’s not the Christianity or the country music I object to. It’s the glurge. ---
**Author:** ![gunnergoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e95f7d/32.png) [@gunnergoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gunnergoz)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/30 "2012-02-20T22:49:07Z")
This “Turning your life over to God” thing can have some positive effect upon people whose lives are going sour due to alcoholism and similar addictions. The assumption is that, in some personalities, the unchecked human ego can lead the owner astray and into a life full of regretful choices: however, if one learned basic morality, i.e. right from wrong, when young, then reverting to those basic values and choices (rather than doing what your ego is telling you is the “sure thing”) will often lead to less catastrophes in life and sometimes even results in happier outcomes. As others have noted, the philosophy is easily perverted by some into one where “God’s will” is whatever you darn well please, thus justifying nearly anything and everything in unwholesome and negative behavior. The Evil Ego disguising itself as God’s voice, so to speak. Is this way of thinking a substitute for solid driving skills on the freeway? Nope. Would I recommend it to someone whose parachute(s) just failed? Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/31 "2012-02-20T22:52:26Z")
> [@gunnergoz](#): > > Is this way of thinking a substitute for solid driving skills on the freeway? Nope. Would I recommend it to someone whose parachute(s) just failed? Yup. I take it you’ve never had any complaints about your advice afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/32 "2012-02-20T23:00:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I take it you’ve never had any complaints about your advice afterwards? Well, if they go _splat_ they were obviously listening to Satan, right? ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/33 "2012-02-23T00:00:19Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Metaphor aside, there are plenty of people who subscribe to the same idea - that you should give your life over to God and simply follow in whatever direction he sends you. > > But is this what God wants? Is he even prepared to take over your life? Does he really want to drive your car for you? 1. Yes, I think so. It’s no different from parents who want their kids to obey them, particularly when they’re young and don’t know what’s best for them yet. Presumably since we’re humans, and not God, we don’t always know what’s best for us, yet God does, which is why He wants us to obey Him. 2. Yes. 3. No. God isn’t going to do anything for you that you can do for yourself. Why should He? Does a parent continue to dress their child everyday even after the child has learned how to dress him/herself? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/34 "2012-02-23T00:51:59Z")
He is prepared and wanting to take over your life, that is how man becomes God, becoming His child. In that song it is a example of a happening that is also reflective of her life (as evident from the words of the song not related to the driving incident). It is a example of a moment of clarity that God gives us to decide. In that moment of a life threatening situation the person relates the situation that they are in to the overall situation that their life is in. In this case the solution is not to try to control, but to let go, which was the right solution for this driving issue. By letting go she is also letting go of the other issues that she has been trying to control. They are interrelated, and the end result for the car (safely stopped), is also the end result of her out of control life issues. So yes God wants to take the wheel, and control of our life, because He wants to be in us, with us, act through us. She could have perhaps said Jesus give me the skill to bring this car safely out of the spin, yet that cry ‘Jesus take the wheel’ was what her heart knew what she needed, she did not need strength or skill, but to let go and trust. Her heart recognized this God moment. As for if it was the correct thing to do in this world, it doesn’t matter, if God is in it He determines the correct thing to do regardless of what all the experts and or authorities recommend. God works above this world and is not limited by it. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/35 "2012-02-23T01:15:30Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > He is prepared and wanting to take over your life, that is how man becomes God, becoming His child. In that song it is a example of a happening that is also reflective of her life (as evident from the words of the song not related to the driving incident). > > It is a example of a moment of clarity that God gives us to decide. In that moment of a life threatening situation the person relates the situation that they are in to the overall situation that their life is in. In this case the solution is not to try to control, but to let go, which was the right solution for this driving issue. By letting go she is also letting go of the other issues that she has been trying to control. They are interrelated, and the end result for the car (safely stopped), is also the end result of her out of control life issues. > > So yes God wants to take the wheel, and control of our life, because He wants to be in us, with us, act through us. > > She could have perhaps said Jesus give me the skill to bring this car safely out of the spin, yet that cry ‘Jesus take the wheel’ was what her heart knew what she needed, she did not need strength or skill, but to let go and trust. Her heart recognized this God moment. > > As for if it was the correct thing to do in this world, it doesn’t matter, if God is in it He determines the correct thing to do regardless of what all the experts and or authorities recommend. God works above this world and is not limited by it. It should be noted that Kanicbird thinks that if you are one of God’s little worker-ants _[God will get you out of drunk driving convictions](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14480032&postcount=254)_. So factor that in. If you’re gonna turn your life over to a God, it might as be on that gives you VIP access to reality. ---
**Author:** ![just\_some\_guy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@just\_some\_guy5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/just_some_guy5)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/36 "2012-02-23T01:24:16Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I was in a store the other day and the radio played the Carrie Underwood song “Jesus Take The Wheel”. And I wondered if, in addition to being bad music, it was also bad theology. > > The song, in case you haven’t heard it, is about a women driving down a road. She hits some ice and her car is starting to go out of control. Her response is to develop a strong Christian faith, take her hands off the steering wheel, and call for Jesus to take the wheel. I recall having initially thought the same thing when I heard the song. But then, thinking more about how a frightened young woman might react after hitting the ice, I’m not sure letting go of the steering wheel is any worse than the alternative (e.g., wildly yanking the wheel in all the wrong directions). ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/37 "2012-02-23T01:33:22Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Reminds me of a 2nd cousin who was doing missionary work in India (converting the heathens and whatnot). His letters made it clear that they could use a small refrigerator. Some not-very-subtle hints were dropped. > > Well my grandfather sent them the money to buy their fridge. He was not a religious man, but was very family oriented, and a nice guy. > > The next letter to everyone? Jesus had bought them a new refrigerator. Thank you Jesus! No mention of my grandfather at all. Needless to say, that was the last time he sent them any money. My son is adopted and years ago I was on an adoption centric message board. Adoption is not cheap and one woman said she afforded her adoption by praying. She let people know that they were struggling to afford the adoption. Then she prayed…and a neighbor volunteered to pay her to watch her kids. And she prayed, and her husband decided he really didn’t use that motorcycle and sold it (:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::dubious::smack:), and she prayed, and her parents gave her a few hundred dollars, and she prayed, and her husband got overtime. And, after a few months of petitions to God, the adoption was paid for. Praise the Lord. And I said “gee, I’m a deist married to an atheist. We didn’t bother to pray and just had a relative my husband had met twice drop dead and leave us a bunch of money - easily enough for the adoption. That seems way more efficient.” (True.) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/38 "2012-02-23T02:34:07Z")
> [@just\_some\_guy5](#): > > I recall having initially thought the same thing when I heard the song. But then, thinking more about how a frightened young woman might react after hitting the ice, I’m not sure letting go of the steering wheel is any worse than the alternative (e.g., wildly yanking the wheel in all the wrong directions). Maybe Jesus should record an answer song: “Carrie, Steer Into the Skid”. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/39 "2012-02-23T03:35:28Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > It should be noted that Kanicbird thinks that if you are one of God’s little worker-ants _[God will get you out of drunk driving convictions](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14480032&postcount=254)_. > > So factor that in. If you’re gonna turn your life over to a God, it might as be on that gives you VIP access to reality. If I do door-to-door missionary work for Him, can I get away with over-15 stat-rape? 🙂 (It occurs to me that door-to-door missionary work would offer occasional opport- erm, temptations . . .) ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307/40 "2012-02-23T03:49:58Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > If I do door-to-door missionary work for Him, can I get away with over-15 stat-rape? 🙂 (It occurs to me that door-to-door missionary work would offer occasional opport- erm, temptations . . .) I’d say that killing a person with your car because you’re drunk is worse than having consensual sex with a 15 year old girl. However, I’m not theologian, so you’ll have to ask Kanicbird about the details of what his made-up God is willing to give you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-your-life-over-to-god/613307.md?page=3)