When people recommend that you trust in Jesus or God, do they also mean that you should give up trying yourself? That hardly seems reasonable but it does arguably follow -- after all, if you keep trying to help yourself, how can you say that you fully trust Jesus or God to help you? What's worse, there is evidence that at least some Christians approve of exactly that: give up trying to solve your problems so that Jesus can take over.
Over the holidays I heard a song by Kelly Clarkson (she sang it, I don't know if it's original to her, but I had never heard it before) called "Jesus Take the Wheel." It's about a woman driving and her car slides on ice on the road. She has a baby in a car seat in the back.
When you slide on ice, you are supposed to turn into the skid and pump the break. In the song, the woman takes both hands off the wheel and cries out "Jesus take the wheel" and then bemoans her inability to control her own life--using the out of control car as a symbol of that.
In the end, the car stops and no one is hurt, but I'd want CPS to check into what else she's asking god to do for her baby's safety where she, as a mother, is totally dropping the ball. The fact this song was presented as a holiday favorite in a music special on TV is just disturbing.
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I doubt that Kelly Clarkson would sing this song if she didn't agree with the lyrics and approve of the message it sends. I suppose that some people who liked the song only liked the music and never paid any attention to the contents of the lyrics, but I'd doubt that to be the case of most or all of the listeners. Like I noted above, if you truly and fully trust another to do some task, then you don't keep trying to do it yourself. So if you are supposed to place your entire trust in Jesus to do something, why would you keep trying to do it as well?
This is actually a Carrie Underwood song.
The original is, if I’m not mistaken, is a Carrie Underwood tune.
Here’s the Underwood YouTube version link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT4f9gfCJvk
I gather Clarkson’s “cover” rendition was from a show I absolutely NEVER watch…
“American Idol”?
To this atheist, and longtime (now semi-retired) singer/musician/private music teacher, I think too many people get WAY too serious about song lyrics, in general. It’s like ‘they’ almost live their lives addicted to what any number of popular-style, ultra commercial, song writers wail away on…of course, hopefully, for major big bucks.
Cynically, listening to that tune, I started, ‘as is my wont’ (”I wont, I wont”?), mentally tinkering with the lyrics with notions like:
“Jesus fix my car…Jesus pay my rent…or just make me rich(?)…get rid of Cancer…stop the Earthquakes, tsunamis, religious child abuse…or just plain stop the whole friggin’ Cosmic delusion.
But, of course…you don’t exist…you’re totally imaginary; actually, I’m just blathering to myself.
WTF?”
Seriously…?
Regarding that particular song, for the majority of Christian listeners, I assume, they realize it’s kind of a case of “Writer’s Conceit”; i.e… NOT to be taken literally. But then again, there are way too many Christians who are seriously and totally literalist Bible believers; so there are always those brainwashed few who might just ACTUALLY “let go of the wheel” in similar situations. The daily News stories are not infrequently filled with tangential examples of similar wacko religiously motivated behavior.
In that respect, lyrics such as that, can, like ALL rather subconsciously oriented religious programming, be quite dangerous…bordering, IMO, on outright insanity.
The real problem with this one is if things start to happen for the better, then it’s “Jesus answered my prayer”, and they use that as their proof that their Jesus does love them. But if things happen for the worst then it’s simply, “God works in mysterious ways”, or “You just don’t understand the big picture in what God has in plan for you”, excuses.
It reminds me of that Super Bowl commercial from Focus on the Family about Tim Tebow and his mom.
This to me is just pieousy in that Tim Tebow’s mom took a risk and won. But who’s to say it wasn’t just pure luck? It’s just that couldn’t that $2.5 million dollars be spent on something more useful such as Haiti or even perhaps parts of New Orleans that is still in desperate need of money, as oppose to some form of pieous commercial that in some ways can send the wrong message(s) as well? But then I guess Focus on the Family is more concerned(focused) about their image(vanity) as opposed to giving a rat’s a** about what their Jesus would do.
The problem with this one is if things turn out for the better then the Christians use that as an excuse or their proof that having faith in their Jesus does work. And if it doesn’t then it’s the same old excuses like, “God works in mysterious ways”, or “You just don’t understand the bigger picture of God’s plan in life for you” crap.
It reminds me of the Super Bowl commercial from Focus on the Family about Tim Tebow and his mom.
So Timmy’s mommy took a risk and won. But who’s to say that it wasn’t just pure luck? In a way it still can send the wrong message(s) as well, such as “I don’t need to take the advice of my doctor(s) all I need to do is trust in God.”. And couldn’t that $2.5 million be spent on something more useful such as Haiti or even parts of New Orleans that is still in desperate need of money as opposed to some pieous commercial? But then I guess Focus on the Family is more focused on their own image(vanity) as opposed to giving a rat’s a** as to what their Jesus would do.
Now when the President of the United States “Let Jesus take over” (Dubya) things become a little more serious. It worked out just swimmingly with the two stupid wars and the collapse of our financial system. Thanks Jesus and George W. George will pray for us!
DianeF:
That’s funny. I actually sent a similar note to someone via e-mail last night and named the singer as Carey Clarkson! Obviously I have issues with confusing these two women. While I’m embarrassed by the error, the point remains. But yeah–apparently I’m not good telling them apart!
I also wanted to note I saw the same thing at the SuperBowl post interviews–players thanking god. Honestly, if they believe divine scale-tipping was what cause the game to go in their favor–and not skill, strategy, and effort/execution on their part alone, they need to give back the trophy.
I was pulling for the Saints. And I’m glad they won. But seeing them credit their victory to god made me wonder how, if they actually believe divine cheating was involved, they can keep that trophy and call it “earned”?
I call it earned, because I accpept they did win through superior execution. But if they don’t believe it was soley their own abilities and efforts that won that game–isn’t it wrong to keep the award?
This reminds me of an old joke about a man caught in a flood. As the waters rise, a boat comes by the rescue him. The man says, “Thank you, but Jesus will save me.” The waters continue to rise, and the man is forced to the second floor of his house. Another boat comes by, but again the man says, “Thank you, but Jesus will save me.” Finally, the flood waters force the man to his roof. A helicopter comes by, but the man says, “Thank you, but Jesus will save me.” The waters rise, and the man dies. As the man arrives in heaven, Jesus greets him. The man, upset with having drowned, says, “My Lord, I have trusted in you all my life. How could you let me drown?” Jesus replies, “Hey, I sent two boats and a helicopter! What more did you want?”
Its a shame we cant look into the football players minds because I have to seriously wonder how many of those that thanked god for their victory REALLY believe that god had something to do with it. Or if on the other hand that their comment is just like the politicians who go on belssing america and the like.
Is it from pure belief or is it simply that its come to be expected as a response in such conditions.
I also wonder why god dislikes the Colts so much he would intercede in the game to give the Saints the win.
I live in New Orleans & like the rest of Who Dat Nation I was thrilled by the Saints Super Bowl victory. I went to the Saints’ victory parade with some of my fellow NOSHA (New Orleans Secular Humanist Association) compatriots and we had a similar discussion on why it took god 43 years to answer the prayers of Saints fans. This is a very Catholic city & I have heard numerous fans, players, coaches & the owner mention how they thank their god for this victory. It pisses me off when I hear this BS as it totally devalues all of the hard work & dedication the players and coaches put in to earn a Super Bowl win. If they really believed that god ordained them this win then why spend two weeks feverishly preparing for Peyton Manning. All you have to is show up & let gods plan unfold if you follow this line of “reason.” I have found it interesting that throughout history that god almost always seems to be on the side with the biggest & best army or the best prepared, motivated, talented sports team. Still, given the unexpected run to the Super Bowl coming after our recent experience with levee failures, I haven’t complained too much as this victory has really made a positive impact on our community & region. I look at the Saints as being our secular religion as they have brought the residents of our region together in ways that theism can never even dream of replicating. Who Dat? We Dat! Screw religion.
I just have to tell this true story. I must have about 12 years old with my father in a 3 ton truck, middle of an icy winter, with roads like glass and tram tracks even icier.
The truck hit the tracks, spun and slid down hill backwards along those slippery steel tram lines. Pop tried initially to spin the wheel but it didn’t respond, so he let go of everything., just looked in his rear view mirror. I said “What do we do now?” …. Atheist father. “Hope a bloody tram’s not coming. Be ready to jump. We’ll stop at the bottom of the hill anyway.” Yep there are times that doing nothing and getting ready to jump is the best option. Praying wouldn’t have made a bit of difference. My “Old Man” always was unflappable.
Dear Louisiana,
Sorry about the whole “Hurricane Katrina” thing. I was busy helping your troops fight in Iraq. My personal friend, George W. Bush, asked me to oversee things there. Hope you get better soon.
Love,
GOD
P.S.
How about a Superbowl win? Would that help?