I can’t help but notice that #prayforjapan was trending on Twitter. If you’re of, let’s just say, a certain age, or not that technically inclined, that probably means very little to you. Don’t worry, Wikipedia is around to help you. Or, find a young person and ask them.
Putting it bluntly, that annoys me. That #prayforjapan is trending, that is, not that you might not know what trending means. Basically, it means an awful lot of people are mentioning praying for Japan after the earthquake and tsunami that have decimated the region.
That pisses me off because – and let’s be frank here – praying in and of itself does absolutely fuck all to help Japan. You might as well sacrifice a stoat or masturbate to pictures of George Takei. But Twitter is currently full of people who appear to think that praying for Japan – or even worse, just putting #prayforjapan in a tweet – is all they need to do to help those in need.
Let’s get this straight: I’m an atheist. I don’t believe religion should have a place anywhere in politics, policy-making or public policy. I’m okay with people having a religion and praying and all the rest of it – if it brings them comfort, so be it. I draw the line at forcing that religion on others, and at using religion as an excuse. And don’t get me started on the Pope (although I can just point you at this video, which at least covers some of it). Seriously, don’t get me started.
So when I see someone say, “I’m praying for you” to someone (I see it from time to time on some forums I frequent), I can appreciate the sentiment intended when it is meant as “I’m thinking of you” (which is what I presume an less godly person would say). But when someone is genuinely in need and the response is only prayer then – and I mean this in the best possible way – fuck off and take a damned reality check. If you believe in a god that can intervene in such away as to help those in Japan then, surely, that god could have prevented or even caused the disaster in the first place?
Oh yes, and if anyone starts blaming earthquakes on the rise of homosexuality, promiscuity or a godlessness – as some tried to after the Christchurch earthquake – then they should be put in a home.
And, if you want to help those in Japan, pray if you must, but whatever you do, pop over to the British Red Cross website and donate some money too, and make a real difference.
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