# Who Is God Punishing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 3, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960 "2020-04-03T14:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [April 7, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/41 "2020-04-07T18:07:46Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > As pointed out, yes. But more to the point, how many times have we cursed each other. telling someone to drop dead, saying i hope you have a accident, and the all purpose fuck you. And how many of those things have been cursed against us. You believe in curses? Is there any evidence that cursing others does anything substantial? ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/42 "2020-04-08T05:26:03Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You believe in curses? Is there any evidence that cursing others does anything substantial? Curses backed by cold steel seem to have some effect. In a long-running experiment, British subjects have prayed for the health of their monarchs for nearly 600 years. Their monarchs have not, on average, lived longer than the British public of their time. Therefore at least one of the following pertains: [ul] [li] Brits pray to the wrong deity.[/li][li] Their deity isn’t listening.[/li][li] They say the wrong prayers.[/li][li] They omit blood sacrifices.[/li][li] Their deity doesn’t like Brit royals.[/li][li] Their deity is busy elsewhere.[/li][/ul] For whatever reason, prayer is shown not to work. Thus the truism: Jehovah answers all prayer but the answer is usually NO. Not a very good return on investment IMHO. What was Conan the Barbarian’s line? “Great Crom, give me strength! And if you don’t, to Hell with you!” Cursing is about the same - praying for bad stuff to happen to someone. I can cast curses all I want but audits and inspections are scarier. That’s why the orange terror hides his financials. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/43 "2020-04-08T08:28:35Z")
We do not know God’s purpose in sending us this disease. In fact we can be pretty certain that we will never understand His intention. Surely a just God would punish those who caused Him offense and spare the others. In this case we all seem to have pissed Him off. Take a look at [Lincoln’s Second Inaugural](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln's_second_inaugural_address) and also his [MMeditation on Devine WIll.](http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/meditat.htm) Both are short and full of things to consider. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/44 "2020-04-08T13:08:21Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > We do not know God’s purpose in sending us this disease. In fact we can be pretty certain that we will never understand His intention. Surely a just God would punish those who caused Him offense and spare the others. In this case we all seem to have pissed Him off. > Take a look at [Lincoln’s Second Inaugural](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln's_second_inaugural_address) and also his [MMeditation on Devine WIll.](http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/meditat.htm) Both are short and full of things to consider. Maybe a “JUST” god would only punish those who caused him offense. So if one floods the world killing everyone except one family, I suppose there were no newborn infants who died, except the newborns who caused him offense. And of course, Exodus 20:5. NIV …I, the LORD your God , am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. So I guess one way to cause god offense is to be born someone’s great grandchild.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/45 "2020-04-08T14:11:00Z")
Yes, it has always puzzled me that the Creator of the Universe could not be more specific in His punishments. He seems to have only the bluntest of instruments at His disposal. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/46 "2020-04-08T15:40:55Z")
> [@ethelbert](#): > > Yes, it has always puzzled me that the Creator of the Universe could not be more specific in His punishments. He seems to have only the bluntest of instruments at His disposal. It is perfectly possible He does have very exact instruments. Such punishments would look quite ordinary and not attract attention. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/47 "2020-04-08T15:57:13Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > It is perfectly possible He does have very exact instruments. Such punishments would look quite ordinary and not attract attention. So he disguises punishments so no one knows they’re being punished but rather are subject to the whims of random chance. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/48 "2020-04-08T16:24:04Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So he disguises punishments so no one knows they’re being punished but rather are subject to the whims of random chance. Well as I said, it is quite likely we will never understand why He does what he does. Confused and lacking understanding we might very well to ascribe His actions to random chance and whimsy. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/49 "2020-04-08T17:10:04Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Well as I said, it is quite likely we will never understand why He does what he does. Confused and lacking understanding we might very well to ascribe His actions to random chance and whimsy. Well I hope none of your great grand parents made him mad. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/50 "2020-04-08T18:14:43Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Well as I said, it is quite likely we will never understand why He does what he does. Confused and lacking understanding we might very well to ascribe His actions to random chance and whimsy. Well that will be a nice change. Usually being confused and lacking in understanding leads to random acts of chance being ascribed to a whimsical deity. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/51 "2020-04-09T02:09:04Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Well that will be a nice change. Usually being confused and lacking in understanding leads to random acts of chance being ascribed to a whimsical deity. That was a well-written comment. Thank you for it. I suppose one way of looking at it is an attempt to wonder why in the world these horrible things happen. The other way is throwing up our hands, deciding events have no meaning and not considering how we ought to do better. It is a fine puzzle. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/52 "2020-04-09T02:54:38Z")
> [@ethelbert](#): > > Yes, it has always puzzled me that the Creator of the Universe could not be more specific in His punishments. He seems to have only the bluntest of instruments at His disposal. Before claiming universal dominance, Jehovah was Baal’s war deity. We look like nails so expect a divine hammer. Misses targets a lot, though. Wipes out trailer parks filled with believers and can’t hit districts of atheist queers. Sad. Or maybe that’s a signal - divine wrath wreaked upon those who wish it for others. Be careful what you pray for. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/53 "2020-04-09T03:01:00Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > Before claiming universal dominance, Jehovah was Baal’s war deity. We look like nails so expect a divine hammer. Misses targets a lot, though. Wipes out trailer parks filled with believers and can’t hit districts of atheist queers. Sad. Or maybe that’s a signal - divine wrath wreaked upon those who wish it for others. Be careful what you pray for. What in the world makes you think the God wants to kill “atheist queers?” For that matter what makes you think He wants to protect “trailer parks filled with believers?” You are talking as if you know what God wants to do, and you know He fails in doing it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/54 "2020-04-09T03:04:40Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > What in the world makes you think the God wants to kill “atheist queers?” For that matter what makes you think He wants to protect “trailer parks filled with believers?” **You are talking as if you know what God wants to do** , and you know He fails in doing it. “Christians” are _constantly_ telling everyone what God wants or why he’s doing whatever He did. Westboro, Falwell, Robertson, et al. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/55 "2020-04-09T03:31:47Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > That was a well-written comment. Thank you for it. > I suppose one way of looking at it is an attempt to wonder why in the world these horrible things happen. The other way is throwing up our hands, deciding events have no meaning and not considering how we ought to do better. > It is a fine puzzle. I can think of more ways of looking at it that that. I don’t think women who declare themselves to be covered in Jesus’ blood concern themselves with the why of these things at all; it’s God’s will, _tout court_. Why adults think the world works that way is a fine puzzle indeed, but ultimately irrelevant. As long as they cover their mouths when they cough, that’s the important thing. Not my business if they think they’re doing it to keep their souls from escaping or something. But I won’t pretend it’s any different than superstition. And I’ll push back if people here start to think their superstitious rituals should take precedence over the health of the general public. As it is I’ll just look to the south and wish yet again that we could all jump up and down on the Canada/US border until the US cracked off and floated away. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/56 "2020-04-09T08:10:27Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > “Christians” are _constantly_ telling everyone what God wants or why he’s doing whatever He did. > Westboro, Falwell, Robertson, et al. Oh, but I was asking you. Perhaps I was unclear. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/57 "2020-04-09T09:27:01Z")
I don’t think He’s punishing anyone. It’s warning signs, earthquake and pestilence. Times running out. Notice back decades ago no one could be marked for buying and selling. Now… We have a way to put a chip in people. Did it escape anyone’s notice that a person who has stated they want the population reduced is working on a vaccine… ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960/58 "2020-04-09T10:49:40Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I don’t think He’s punishing anyone. It’s warning signs, earthquake and pestilence. Times running out. Notice back decades ago no one could be marked for buying and selling. Now… We have a way to put a chip in people. Did it escape anyone’s notice that a person who has stated they want the population reduced is working on a vaccine… I suspect you are mistaken. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-god-punishing/850960.md?page=2)