Divergent: things that are credited to "God's hand" can simply be attributed to pure coincidence
Yes. Here's an old thread posted by 00DAD: Jehovah is the God of Parking Lots:
Have you ever noticed that JWs that have completely swallowed the
kool-aid are really whacked in their thinking when it comes to
interpreting life's events. No matter how things turn out, good or bad,
they always--and I mean ALWAYS--spin it to confirm the belief that
Jehovah is blessing THEM and not unbelievers.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Food for thought: There
are no atheists in foxholes, or so we're told. But we'll never know if
the soldiers blown to bits were praying to their God at the very moment
their body exploded.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
I
knew a really annoying "Brother" that was always going on and on
telling everyone how much God was blessing him in this or that. Now
don't get me wrong, I think people should be appreciative, but he was
always saying stupid stuff like, "Jehovah really blessed me today," but
it was always about really trivial stuff and not ever about anything
really important. Now mind you, this guy was an elder and regular
pioneer, very respected in the circuit as well as in the congregation.
He was a highly sought after speaker in congregations all over Southern
California and frequently was featured on Circuit Assemblies and
District Conventions. Nevertheless, he often fell victim to this
fallacious way of thinking about God's alleged involvement in the
mundane affairs of life that is sadly ubiquitous among JWs.
For example, when he'd tell me about his latest "proof" of God's blessing I'd ask, "How so?"
Brother
Blessed (BB) might say something like, "Well when I went to the Post
Office this morning, I got a parking space right away even though the
lot was full!"
Me, "So Jehovah is the God of Parking Lots?"
BB, "Whaddya' mean? Are you making fun of me?"
Me,
"Well, it sounds like you're saying that the Creator of the Entire
Universe thought it was important enough to drop everything else He was
doing and just focus on making sure that YOU found a place to park so
YOU could mail your mail."
BB, "That's right."
Me, "And all those other people that didn't find a parking place, God's NOT blessing them. Is that right?"
BB, "Yes, that's right."
Me, "And why is that?"
BB, "Because I'm serving Jehovah and they're not."
Me, "And you know this how?"
BB, "Because I got the parking place and they didn't."
Me, "That's your proof?"
BB, "Yes."
Me, "This mail, was it something 'theocratic' or just ordinary correspondence?"
BB, "It was just me paying my bills is all."
Me, "Then what makes you think Jehovah would bless that?"
BB, "I know because he did. I got the parking spot and everyone else was just circling around with no where to park."
Me,
"I see ... I think. So WHY would Jehovah bless YOU and not the other
people in the parking lot, especially considering the letters you had to
mail were not of any spiritual importance?"
BB, "Because I'm
pioneering and needed to get out in service afterwards. Also, I have a
Service Meeting part tonight I need to get home and prepare."
Me, "Oh-kay ... So all that pioneering and meeting attendance is just so you can get good parking places?"
BB, "No, them's just the perks."
Me,
"So God will 'bless' you when it comes to parking even though you can't
speak English properly, but that's OK because you spend 90 hours a
months walking up and down Ventura Boulevard in a suit being ignored by
the few people that are, for-whatever-reason, also walking down the
street, but going the opposite direction."
BB, "Exactly! Now you're getting it."
Me, "What about your wife leaving you? I mean that was really tragic for you wasn't it?"
BB, "Yes it was. You know, she broke my heart! Why are you bringing that up? That really hurts!"
Me,
"I know it does and I'm sorry. But where was Jehovah's blessing there?
Wouldn't you rather have a faithful wife than a good parking space at
the post office?"
BB, "Why are you saying this? You're making me mad. I don't like where this conversation is going ...."
Me, "No, I'm sure you don't and come to think of it neither do I!"
