UK Guardian columnist Michelle Hanson wrote
this article that has sparked quite a debate on social
media about God and why He saved an American
doctor and let 1,200 Africans die of the Ebola virus.
The writer, who said she gave up on God many
years ago, wondered how God works. Find the
article below...
"Lucky Dr Kent Brantly, the American doctor
who has recovered from Ebola, having been
given a dose of the experimental antibody
serum Zmapp, whizzed home to the US, and
given another dose. He is now thanking God
for saving his life. Through the medical team
and drugs, he admits, but ultimately, it seems,
God was in charge. And he chose Brantly, not
the other 1,200 mainly west African people
who have died horribly, which seems a bit
picky." Continue...
It must be lovely for Brantly to be so sure of
things. I tried, aged 10, to work out whether
God was around or not, but couldn't. "What
was his actual shape?" I wondered. And how
could he be everywhere, all at once? How big,
for example, was his toenail? Did it cover
Ruislip, where I lived? I imagined him
constantly on the go, distant enough for an
effective overview and able to home in on
catastrophes and act. But it was very hit and
miss. Would he be on the spot when you
needed him, like Brantly did? On and on I
went for years, trying to believe in him. I even
went camping with a tremendously religious
youth organisation, but despite the prayers and
observances, even the devout did some
frightfully rude things in their tents. And there
was no divine retribution. I gave up on God, for
ever.
Millions didn't. They seem to be obeying his
instructions to the letter, which isn't doing the
world any favours. But at last, a bit of good
news. The Jehovah's Witnesses are
mellowing. They have a new tactic. Instead of
just knocking on doors, they're also allowed to
stand beside their literature, smiling, near
shops and stations, letting us approach
voluntarily. Marvelous. It's a shame they didn't
do this years ago, when my old friend was a
Jehovah's Witness. She was terrified sick of
being sent to knock on our door. Luckily it
never happened.
If only all religions would take this hands-off
approach and let us all believe whatever we
like. No pressure. I hope that one day, that will
happen. I would say "Please, God," but I can't.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are
those of the comment writers alone and does not
reflect or represent the views of Somayina.
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