Comment by Ed on November 27, 2011 at 1:48am

You've studied your situation and come to a correct conclusion. Old habits die hard.

Were you implying a wrongdoing occurred that resulted in your daughter's injury on the playground?

Hiring a lawyer can be a slippery slope in our litigious society.....

 

“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?”          -Epicurus

 

Comment by Boatman on November 27, 2011 at 6:36am

I think Skepticlese called upon his lawyer simply so he could make that "preyed upon" pun.

 

BTW- I LOVE puns.

Comment by Ed on November 27, 2011 at 9:58am

@ Gordon

 

I can be really dense at times......   :^ )

 

Comment by Skepticlese on November 27, 2011 at 10:10am

Thanks Ed. The lawyer comment was just a pun-I happen to be one myself(hope that doesn't change your view of me--many can deal with an atheist, fewer still a lawyer, but it takes a mighty open-minded person to tolerate the combination).

Comment by Robert Karp on November 27, 2011 at 10:36am

Skepticlese I'm sure most people have desperate times when they simply have no one to turn to. I have found that during these times, inward "prayer" can be just as soothing. I use prapyer but it is more like meditation. You can close your eyes and focus on calming your mind in an effort to focus on what really matters. Whether that is someone who is sick, or if it is your own pain, just becoming aware of yourself and your feelings can alleviate much of the desperation that makes us feel like there is other outlet other than prayer. You say you sat there and felt helpless but by being there you were doing everything your child needed you to do. I also have children and have also been with one of them in the hospital. But your strength is your own. Look inward next time you are feeling desperate. You can be your own source of both insiration and solice.

Comment by Jason on November 27, 2011 at 10:42am

You advised you were raised Christian… you were taught to ask god for help in crisis. In other words – you were trained to do this.
For most people - In an emergency situation – logic and analysis fly out the window. A person will fall back on their training. Like a first responder (police, fire or EMT) – they fall back on their training in an emergency. After it’s all over with -they may tell you they didn’t even realize what they were doing. Their training just took over. Like a gut reaction.
I too was raised (trained) Christian. When the mortar fire was falling all around me in Iraq – for a split second – I was asking god for help. Then I quickly came to my senses and took cover. It was just a gut reaction.
If another emergency occurs - we will probably do the same thing again.
I hope your daughter fully recovers.

Comment by Skepticlese on November 27, 2011 at 12:14pm

Jason, first, thank you for your service. I know how hard it can be to hold different views while in the military (I'm a vet from the old Ops Desert Shield/Desert Storm days). The cliched adage "there's no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole" has been propounded by the same folks who can't understand why you don't need to chat with the chaplain or attend services with the rest of the platoon. You're right about our training and it takes even more training (mental training, that is) to kick those old habits. Keeping focused and, as my old sergeant used to say "Do Not Panic," will help to see one through. 

Comment by Skepticlese on November 27, 2011 at 12:21pm

Robert, great advice. I think we sometimes forget that we are often outwardly focused, trying to make logical sense of the world around us and shun the inner, psychological effects and how to deal with them as somehow mystical or too New-Agey for serious consideration. We need to realize that "inward payer" as you call it is really mental focus and the calming effects of concentration and relaxation. This isn't New Age drivel, it's biofeedback. Appreciate you pointing it out.

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