I'm pissed off.

[kayre]

"The victims don't need your prayers." I've been seeing that on FaceBook a lot this week. I'm hurt and angry, but I know better than to respond there, so here I am.

Yes, I am praying for the victims and families, and for an end to gun violence. I also have written to my US Representative and both Senators; regularly donate to an anti-violence group; and am watching for local demonstrations I can attend in support of true gun control. I'd love to know what each person posting "the victims don't need your prayers" has done besides posting intolerance and judgment of other people.

And if they mean "politicians should shut up about their prayers and DO something"-- well, that's not what they said, and they are responsible for what they actually said.

Comments

[kyrielle]

What you said. I have a friend who linked several articles calling out the "prayer shaming" and also pointing out that many of us who pray truly believe it *makes a difference*.

Now, if a politician is saying "praying for them" as a way of avoiding any action but still "reacting", then those are empty words and useless; ditto, for that matter, if they say "we have to stop this gun violence!" and stop there with no further action.

But yeah, tired of the "THEN DO SOMETHING". For one thing, praying is something; but for another, why does praying mean nothing else is being done? People may be praying and writing to their politicians. They may be praying and donating blood. They may be praying and giving money to relief organizations. They may be praying and working to help people in their own community, improving social services. They might be praying and doing all of those (in which case, they are far better people than I, honestly).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/03/what-we-lose-when-we-prayer-shame-politicians-after-a-mass-shooting/