I just read the sad, sad news story of Destiny Norton, who was kidnapped and killed in Salt Lake City last week, within a few blocks of where we lived when we first moved to Utah. Jana mentioned that her father was baptized into the LDS Church the day before his daughter’s abduction and murder, and this compounded my grief for him. No parent should have to suffer the loss of their child, especially in such a senseless way, but here was a man who was trying to do everything right–apparently he was a part of a group of people who had lived on the street and were cleaning themselves up.
I’m drawn to the faith dimension of this story. I’ve sat through dozens of talks where people thank God for blessing them with material wealth because they paid their tithing, good grades because they fulfilled their Church calling, etc. I’ve heard some believers suggest divine justice when illness or other calamities befall wayward members. I understand why people do these things. They’re simply trying to fit events into their understanding of the world–a world in which God cares about even the trivial things, such as what we wear and eat and read. But I often wonder if this isn’t an overly simplistic view of the world, and this tragedy argues the same: a man cleans up, a man follows Jesus into the waters of baptism, the next day a man’s little daughter is brutally murdered.
As a father and as one who has struggled to reconcile the cruelty of life with belief in a compassionate God, my heart goes out to Ricky Norton. I hope he finds comfort in his newfound faith. But if he rages against God, I will understand as well.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Caroline T. // Jul 27, 2006 at 6:37 am
A very thought-provoking post. Yesterday I was also thinking about the irony of religion (especially Christianity) while I was on the Metro.
In the past few months, I’ve tried to reconcile the supposed two-faces of a loving Christian God. I am taught at church that God cares about my every whim and that He wants to answer my prayers. I am also taught that if I have faith, then my prayers will be answered.
But what about the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia or the victims of Hurricane Katrina last year? I’m sure these people prayed to God for safety, yet many of them lost their lives. Why weren’t their urgent pleas for help answered?
I guess I’ve come to the conclusion that the role of religion is to provide peace and comfort in our often turbulent lives. Being a faithful Christian won’t guarantee me a steady job or a happy family; rather, being a faithful Christian helps me to get through the inevitable tough times of my life.
But the question still troubles me—why must good people, like Ricky Norton, suffer so much? I really don’t know.
2 PodMonkeys // Jul 27, 2006 at 7:23 am
I’ve always heard the answer to such questions is that “Its all for a greater good, within a greater plan devised by God. It is a plan only HE can understand.” Personally, I take that as a BS way of not trying to explain it, while trying to not lose a believer. Another answer, is that “it is a test of ones faith.” Which really does not paint God in a goodly light. But those are just my opinions.
I personally see spirituality as within us, and not in control of anything other than what we can personally control. The more the group works for humanity, the more the group loves each other and mankind, the more spirit there is. The way I see things, murders and natural disasters are not something controllable by us, nor brought about by gods, but as Caroline says, it is the faith that helps us through. Maybe it is a test, but I don’t think it is a test setup on purpose. Rather, the events just sort of happen, and then it is up to us to act upon them.
But again, these are just my thoughts on this. I feel sorry for Mr. Norton and his child, and hope he pulls through. I hope his new family with the church is there for him and helps him keep faith in the human race.
3 Miko // Jul 27, 2006 at 7:36 am
Maybe his faith is as good as Job’s and God’s just testing him…? I agree, the fundamental paradox of bad things happening to good people is one of the things that convinced me that I really don’t have a personal relationship to “one bearded, white haired Caucasian God”. My prayers are with him today: may his faith not be shattered by this, may it be strengthened, & may the forge of life temper him to be a better person.
4 Caroline // Jul 30, 2006 at 8:04 pm
What a very sad story. It’s situations like these that make me wonder just how much God does take a personal interest in us. Seems like he just lets bad things happen pretty indiscriminately. And by extension, I suppose the good things happen pretty indiscriminately to us as well.
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