Tragedy Begs Question of a Merciful God

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Tse Moana

So, four of the six in that boat, four of the five who died, could not swim. What idiot allowed children who cannot swim to go out and play in a river?

I don't think there was a boat involved. It sounds like they were just cooling off in the shallow water of the river and one got out into the current, too far. When one got swept away the others tried to help.

Newspaper quotes don't convey emotions. We also don't know what else she said that wasn't quoted.

I would assume this woman is weeping for her lost children and has turned to her faith for comfort. In the face of a tragedy of this magnitude, she's trying to cope and has rationalized they've gone to God. What else can she do?

[Tse Moana]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I don't think there was a boat involved. It sounds like they were just cooling off in the shallow water of the river and one got out into the current, too far. When one got swept away the others tried to help.

You're right, there's no boat mentioned in the article. But then still, I would not let children who cannot swim play in a river, no matter how shallow the part the were in was. With a river you never know how it may react, it can have treacherous undercurrents that can sweep someone away before they realise it. As happened here.

Letting non-swimming kids play in a shallow, closed off pool or something under supervision) okay, but not in a river or sea.

[Stormieweather]

Originally Posted by Tse Moana

Letting non-swimming kids play in a shallow, closed off pool or something under supervision) okay, but not in a river or sea.

Where were their life jackets??! What idiot would take a bunch of children, never mind a bunch of children who had never had swimming lessons, anywhere with water and not make them wear life jackets? And why would a parent not check this out in advance (ie: what safety measures will you be using to keep my children safe)?

Stormie

[Pangloss62]

What idiot would take a bunch of children, never mind a bunch of children who had never had swimming lessons, anywhere with water and not make them wear life jackets?

Some well-meaning but undereducated and undertrained members of a St. Louis mission. Not too many evangelical missions in urban St. Louis are gonna have life jakckets, and not too many black kids from urban St. Louis are gonna get swimming lessons. Having said that, that bitch Joyce Meyers should have coughed up some of her fortune to give those kids more than religion.

As a spoilt white kid from the suburbs, it astounds me how little public amenities urban kids have. I was lucky to have summer camps with councilors, swimming lessons, and any number of organized activities to keep me running around in a safe and fun manner.

Elspode's question pertaining to the concept of a merciful God when we are faced with tragedy and grief is a very difficult one . As usual , I do not have any answers , but the book ' The Problem of Pain' by C.S. Lewis is a classic on the subject . It is well worth reading .