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Maxirad
Guest
Under what circumstances should Catholics let a national tragedy ruin their day if they have don’t have any personal connections to that tragedy? Keep in mind that I’m an American.
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Allegra
Guest
I try not to let anything ruin my day, if I can help it. I don’t think one is morally obligated to feel utterly devastated every time something terrible happens in the world. What is important is that we don’t become desensitized to the sufferings of others and continue to have compassion.
meltzerboy
New member
It depends on how you are touched by the tragedy. I would think that a national tragedy is likely to affect most people, Catholic or non-Catholic, on some emotional level, so it’s not really a question of allowing it to “ruin their day,” but instead expressing a normal human reaction of sadness and grief. I don’t think most people have much of a choice in the matter. It also need not be limited to a national tragedy but might also be something tragic that occurred abroad.Under what circumstances should Catholics let a national tragedy ruin their day if they have don’t have any personal connections to that tragedy? Keep in mind that I’m an American.
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pianistclare
Guest
The day would only be ruined if we did not take time to pray for those affected by tragedy.
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KendraDZ1902
Guest
National tragedies aren’t supposed to ruin one’s day? 9/11 was most definitely a national tragedy and it ruined my day. I’m sure December 7, 1941 was a day ruiner. I think one would be callous if national tragedies didn’t upset them. Some tragedies feel worse than others. 9/11 felt much worse than Katrina and both are deemed as national tragedies. I don’t think feelings have anything to do with religion. I’m sure the vast majority of Americans’, no matter what religion, day was ruined on 9/11.
Why are you asking this?
Why are you asking this?
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CradleJourney
Guest
It’s really a very recent development that we learn about national tragedies on the day (and yes, now even the minute) they happen.
Before, you’d hear about it that evening or the day after in the newspaper. Or depending on where you lived, it might take days or weeks to hear about a tragedy.
And for most of human history, you would never hear about most tragedies unless they occured in your area.
I try to keep this in mind because I tend to become overwhelmed and distraught when tragedies happen - like the recent attack in Kenya (I live in the US).
I’m not saying one should be oblivious to world/national events or to fail to offer prayers for those involved.
But for me, reminding myself that in another time, I would never have know it happened or would not have known about it “right then”. That allows me to focus - cheerfully - on my work, my kids, the flower blooming in my yard - instead of gradually becoming locked in a maze of almost perpetual grief and sorrow over the sufferings in the world.
Before, you’d hear about it that evening or the day after in the newspaper. Or depending on where you lived, it might take days or weeks to hear about a tragedy.
And for most of human history, you would never hear about most tragedies unless they occured in your area.
I try to keep this in mind because I tend to become overwhelmed and distraught when tragedies happen - like the recent attack in Kenya (I live in the US).
I’m not saying one should be oblivious to world/national events or to fail to offer prayers for those involved.
But for me, reminding myself that in another time, I would never have know it happened or would not have known about it “right then”. That allows me to focus - cheerfully - on my work, my kids, the flower blooming in my yard - instead of gradually becoming locked in a maze of almost perpetual grief and sorrow over the sufferings in the world.
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Bradski
Guest
I think you need to rephrase the question again. It is nonsensical to ask when something ‘should’ ruin your day. It either does or it doesn’t.Under what circumstances should Catholics let a national tragedy ruin their day if they have don’t have any personal connections to that tragedy? Keep in mind that I’m an American.
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SayehMahtabi
Guest
I respectfully disagree; if anything, I’d take the opposite position: Unless the tragedy is affecting you personally, feeling devastated is simply appropriating other peoples’ pain. Rather than doing this, we should set aside our feelings and try to serve those affected to the best of our ability. Being upset helps nothing.I think one would be callous if national tragedies didn’t upset them.
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KendraDZ1902
Guest
If something didn’t upset me, I probably wouldn’t help. If I didn’t have feelings for people, I couldn’t serve them.I respectfully disagree; if anything, I’d take the opposite position: Unless the tragedy is affecting you personally, feeling devastated is simply appropriating other peoples’ pain. Rather than doing this, we should set aside our feelings and try to serve those affected to the best of our ability. Being upset helps nothing.
I’m not talking about “I personally know this person therefore I feel for them and those who I don’t know don’t matter,” but empathy motivates me. I’m a compassionate person and if I lost my empathy and compassion, I wouldn’t care enough to help. So, for me, being upset helps. It is a motivational tool. Lol.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
I think that we get news so soon after it happens anymore-nationally and internationally-and if it is a tragedy there is sometimes nonstop news coverage so I guess it is how we handle it as far as ruining our day. I know for me, that I can get overwhelmed thinking about how the Chtistians and others are suffering in the Middle East and Africa and if I dwell on it constantly it will ruin my day. It would not be normal not to react to a national or international tragedy in some form.
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