34 Reported Dead over 200 injured in Belgium Terror Attacks

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by polak

No but it's a hell of a good start. Obviously psycho's will exist forever, it's biology, but a large portion (if not the majority) of these attacks would go away if people didn't think they would get a second crack at life after death.

Having had glass blown all over me in the 70's thanks to the IRA I can categorically say that the only thing that would change is they wouldn't blow themselves up, just us, which isn't really any better.

'We', the west, have blown up millions of people in the third world and we don't believe in anything.

[polak]

It's easier to stop people who don't want to be caught and don't want to die.

[Regulator75]

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by polak

It's easier to stop people who don't want to be caught and don't want to die.

I'm not sure it makes that much difference really, the IRA and basques managed to blow up a hell of a lot of stuff.

[jayswin]

Guys can we stop with the tired "haha do you know what you're actually doing when you say thoughts and prayers"? It's silly. Clearly in the context of great tragedy people are just sending their well wishes and expressing greif. How petty.

[Stealth22]

As terrible as the events have been, it's pretty awesome to see the people of Brussels stepping up to help out anyone affected...specifically those posting on Twitter offering rides or places to stay.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

And what exactly is that supposed to do? The first step in the right direction is to eliminate such magical, ludicrous thinking.

Lunatics killing in the name of religion and people decide to pray in response.

Yeah getting rid of praying will solve ISIS and Islamic extremism. What an idiotic stance to take.

Lunatics killing in their perceived view of religion and the 99.9999% of peace loving religious folks now can't pray? Lunatics indeed.

[polak]

I think it was more of a commentary on how people will post BS statements like "thoughts and prayers" on social media so they can feel better about themselves but offer zero real support...

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by polak

I think it was more of a commentary on how people will post BS statements like "thoughts and prayers" on social media so they can feel better about themselves but offer zero real support...

Oh my bad forgot you had access to their credit card statements stating whether they've donated money to a "real support" charity.

Care to post where your real support went?

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by polak

I think it was more of a commentary on how people will post BS statements like "thoughts and prayers" on social media so they can feel better about themselves but offer zero real support...

Or changing their FB profile picture (insert newest cause here).
Slacktivism at it's finest...

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Or changing their FB profile picture (insert newest cause here).
Slacktivism at it's finest...

Or posting on a message board about how they feel and then doing absolutely nothing to help......

Slacktivism indeed....

[polak]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Oh my bad forgot you had access to their credit card statements stating whether they've donated money to a "real support" charity.

Care to post where your real support went?

If that's the case it'd be a lot more helpful they posted that they donated and where others could do the same.

I'm not on here posting "thoughts and prayers" and changing my profile pic to some belgian flag. I have no money donate. I know I can't help. I'm not pretending that I am.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Or posting on a message board about how they feel and then doing absolutely nothing to help......

Slacktivism indeed....

Thoughts and prayers...

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by polak

If that's the case it'd be a lot more helpful they posted that they donated and where others could do the same.

I'm not on here posting "thoughts and prayers" and changing my profile pic to some belgian flag.

But you're doing the same thing posting how much religion sucks....what actual real life work have you done to counter religion?

If you've done nothing you're no matter than the folks who post " thoughts and prayers"

Instead you post "religion sucks" in 1000 words and then do nothing...actually you're worse

[PepsiFree]

I might be out of place but I think it's worth it to discuss the context and situations that led to this. A whole thread of random updates and repeated posts stating "wow this is horrible" seems pointless and self-serving.

That said, couple things:

- I agree that this sudden backlash against people praying for Brussels (and Paris) is dumb. Believe in religion or not, it's a way to say "I'm thinking of you and hoping for the best" and all you're saying is "Your hope and thoughts are based on something stupid so save them." It's sad.

- In the same (but opposite) vein, ridding the world of religion solves nothing. This is a human problem, not a religion problem. You're giving something to rally around but without religion they'll find something else to rally around and these extremist groups are just going to fracture further into smaller, potentially more extreme iterations.

Brussels wasn't about religion. It's an excuse. Excuses are easily replaceable.

[polak]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

But you're doing the same thing posting how much religion sucks....what actual real life work have you done to counter religion?

If you've done nothing you're no matter than the folks who post " thoughts and prayers"

Instead you post "religion sucks" in 1000 words and then do nothing...actually you're worse

How so? Me actually stating my case about religion on here is more impactful then wasting internet bandwidth typing up "thoughts and prayers". At least with my ranting maybe I was able to convince a person or two about the flaws of religion. Even that is more impactful than writing "thoughts and prayers" and changing your profile picture, both of which accomplish nothing besides making the person doing it feel better about themselves.

This is coming off way too harsh though. I don't actually have much of an issue with people saying "thoughts and prayers" as it's the same thing as saying "condolences" or whatever well wishes people might say. I just think it takes a stupid turn when its done on social media. Feels like its more "look at me, i care!" more so then posting it here anonymously in response to hearing the news or actually saying it to the victims.

[Luder]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Or changing their FB profile picture (insert newest cause here).
Slacktivism at it's finest...

[Cyclops]

When a friend loses a loved one do you immediately pull out your wallet and tell them that you will chip in for the funeral? Probably not, most people offer condolences and give them a hand with things.

Apparently that isn't good enough anymore though, because condolences are pointless.....

[polak]

Originally Posted by Cyclops

When a friend loses a loved one do you immediately pull out your wallet and tell them that you will chip in for the funeral? Probably not, most people offer condolences and give them a hand with things.

Apparently that isn't good enough anymore though, because condolences are pointless.....

Condolences on Facebook when you don't know a single Belgian and couldn't find Belgium on the map are pointless...

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by polak

Condolences on Facebook when you don't know a single Belgian and couldn't find Belgium on the map are pointless...

Seriously, you have to know someone to give a ####? I probably agree that the Facebook thing is a bit glib at times but it doesn't negate people's horror and sadness at an awful situation, their empathy is real even if shallow.