Why is the Left attacking “thoughts and prayers”?
{$excerpt:n}

This piece originally appeared in the Washington Examiner. 

Are prayers offered to those affected by human tragedy worthless? Are they just empty words and thoughts that take no action?

Most Americans have felt or been impacted by prayer and their faith; many consider their relationship with God to be their top priority in their lives. More than half of Americans pray every day, according to Pew Research. When Americans offer prayer, they offer to use this most valued relationship to help others in need. While many see prayer as impactful in a time of crisis, unfortunately, many on the Left launched an attack on its legitimacy and its impact.

One of the leading trends this week was #thoughtsandprayers — but not for the reason you would suspect. It was dominated by those mocking those sending thoughts and prayers to the victims.

America needs #GunControlNow, not #thoughtsandprayers. The former will save lives and the latter is just an empty platitude. pic.twitter.com/lSIufcTVMB

— Duke Skymocker (@DukeSkymocker) October 2, 2017

Here’s your #ThoughtsAndPrayers — they’re meaningless; it’s action what’s really needed pic.twitter.com/jybuCwexYs

— Zackfig (CTR Guild) (@Zackfig) October 2, 2017

Dear Congress: Screw your #thoughtsandprayers! We need #GUNviolence legislation. Now! Action>Prayer. Do your damn jobs! #LasVegasShooting

— Rabbi Latz (@RavMABAY) October 2, 2017

But it wasn’t just the fringe activists on the internet that led this charge.

Leading gun control advocate and former astronaut Mark Kelly said in a widely shared video, “Your thoughts and prayers aren’t going to stop the next shooting.”

Senator Bob Casey tweeted, “it is not sufficient to just offer thoughts and prayers.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted, “Thoughts & prayers are NOT enough.”

Former DNC Chair Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz tweeted, “Congress must send more than thoughts and prayers.”

Congressman John Larson said, “Silence and prayers for victims and families is not enough.”

Igor Volsky, the Deputy Director of the Center for American Progress Action, one of the biggest progressive groups, tweeted, “@SenJoniErnst took $3,124,273 from @NRA to pray about gun violence but do nothing about it.”

Are you noticing the trend?

They are all working off of similar talking points, and it’s all about trying to gain politically. Despite offering no specific solution that would have prevented the Las Vegas massacre, they are pushing for their same gun control agenda they have been for years, whether or not it relates to this shooting. We are still learning the full details of what weapons he used and how they were acquired, and after we have those facts, Americans should have discussions about our laws.

It’s disappointing enough to try to take political advantage from a tragedy without the facts, but why also disrespect those of us who put heavy value on prayer?

Unfortunately, it seems like a philosophical difference on who has the most power: government or God? If you believe God has no power to change what our experience is on Earth, then you believe that government (or maybe businesses and people) need to act for anything to be accomplished. That seems to be the prevailing view on the Left.

Winning elections or changing laws cannot prevent mass murderers; these laws haven’t prevented tragedies when tried elsewhere. The impact of prayer, while difficult to measure, is seen by Americans who use it — otherwise, why would they do it? With 55 percent of Americans praying every day and 45 percent relying on prayer and religious reflection to make major decisions, our leaders and our peers should be respectful of our beliefs and not minimize them in order to meet their political goals.

The post Why is the Left attacking “thoughts and prayers”? appeared first on Red Alert Politics.

Source: Red Alert Politics