FFRFMCC Commentary: “A Thought Equals Thinking. A Prayer Equals Not Thinking”

Well, here we are again.  Another preventable tragedy where more children have lost their lives.  Others have had their lives changed forever, both physically and emotionally.  And families have again been torn apart.

We all feel that human need to at least say something.  What is often said can be found on and between two ends of a spectrum.

A true rationalist might say, “My thoughts and condolences are with the victims and their families.”  Those who have a difficult time deciding between rationalism and superstition in these situations might say, “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”  And those on the extreme Religious Right who completely choose to ignore rationalism might only say, “My prayers are with the victims and their families.”

Government officials, and those in the news media, know they must show compassion in some way.  Thus, “thoughts and prayers” are always the preamble to any discussion.  After the mass shooting at a community college in Oregon in 2015, President Barack Obama boldly and justifiably stated that “our thoughts and prayers are not enough.”  This was a result of his frustration, after offering what was tantamount to a religious sermon following the Newtown, CT shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, that calling for prayers and reliance on Godly spirituality were obviously not working to solve this problem.  Thanks to his dismissal of the importance of “thoughts and prayers,” the dialogue regarding these tragedies has been slowly changing, with more and more people acknowledging the mantra which began with Barack Obama.  Except of course, from many of those we task with taking responsible action beyond “thoughts and prayers.”

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy was a Congressional House Representative in the district where Sandy Hook Elementary School is located when that shooting took place in 2012.  Since then, he has been a vocal activist calling for the legislation of more restrictions on gun sales in this country.  Many have applauded his work for more strict gun control laws.  So, after the shooting yesterday in Parkland, FL, it was no surprise the media called on him to weigh-in once again on these senseless mass shootings.  Of course, he began by offering his “thoughts and prayers.”  But then, later in the interview, he somewhat contradicted himself by taking it a step further than Barack Obama in saying, “Thoughts and prayers are meaningless, unless we take action ourselves.”

Meaningless.  Do you mean to say Mr. Murphy that God only listens to prayers when his minions do all the work?  And, if we are the ones who must do all the work, then why waste that time with meaningless prayer when it could be better spent on constructive action?

This is a point I’m sure many non-theists would strongly agree.  But in doing so, we must also consider the difference between a “thought” and a “prayer.”

When offering “thoughts” to victims of violence and their family members, what is it we are actually doing?

I would argue, we are at least thinking.

And when we think about something, then perhaps even a single thought can transform itself into action that can result in changes for the better.

But, when we include “prayer” for victims and family members, what direction are we taking?

It should be obvious that those who side with prayer are then choosing to transfer the responsibility of thinking to something of which they have no certainty exists.

While a thought can be a propellant for action, prayer does nothing but suggest we must shift our reliance to an unseen, untested, and often unwilling savior.  And then, we must hope this savior will not fail us.

Granted, a “thought” by itself will not change anything.  A “thought” should be compared to fuel that is never pumped into an automobile.  Though very potent, fuel serves no benefit if it sits alone by itself outside the automobile.  Unless provided with fuel, the automobile will never move, and therefore take us nowhere.  And without the automobile to prove its worth, the fuel is quite meaningless.

With that in mind, let us now think.

Hmmm…

• Someone was able to legally purchase an assault weapon, capable of killing and maiming dozens within minutes.  But this same individual was not even old enough to purchase alcohol.  Is there something we can do to change that?  Let’s give it some thought….
• It is easier for someone to own a gun than it is for someone to gain access to a driver’s license.  Is there something we can do to change that?  Let’s give it some thought….
• The average gun-owning household in America has eight guns.  Is there something we should do to change that?  Let’s give it some thought….
• It’s been nearly 14 years since President George W. Bush allowed the prohibition against the sale of assault weapons to expire.  Has the situation regarding mass shootings gotten better or worse since then?  Let’s give it some thought….
• Australia conducted a “buy-back” of guns from its citizens in 1996, with people voluntarily “selling” or just giving up over 700,000 guns to the government. This has reduced homicides due to gun violence by 25% since 1999.  Is this something the U.S. should consider?  Let’s give it some thought….

So, just as fuel and automobiles are co-dependent, so are thoughts and actions.  Effective change for the better cannot happen without first injecting critical, rational thinking.  And we humans must take responsibility for that thinking.  Prayers to an invisible god do nothing but remove our thinking brains from an equation that could solve a problem.  Everyone, especially those of religious faith, must understand that self-reliance always provides much greater satisfaction than dependence on others to solve our problems.  Yes, just as a grown child learns to deal with their problems without troubling mom and dad, the believers must learn the same by declaring, “I love you God, but I won’t be asking for your help anymore.  We can handle this on our own.”

And what a wonderful world it would be to see prayer extinguished through the realization of self-reliance.

Yes Virginia, there is a big difference between a “thought” and a “prayer.”  In realizing this, maybe the discourse on this subject may soon begin, not by offering simple “thoughts and prayers” for the victims and their families, but with an honest dialogue generated from critical thinking about how to make things better.  And then, turn those thoughts into actions without being stifled by nonsensical superstitions.

Thoughts are good.  But again, they are only the fuel.  We also need that automobile to move.

A prayer, in all truthfulness, is nothing but fuel for an automobile that has no engine.

Let the thinking begin….

Submitted by:  Tom Cara, Director, FFRFMCC