An Atheist Praying For Arizona

I’m no exception when I say I’m praying about the situation in Arizona this week. But I’m a little different in that I’m not usually one to pray. I’m not religious; I’m awed by and grateful for the universe, and always conscious that as humans we’re not capable of comprehending all of reality, but I don’t think anyone’s listening. No big dude in the sky.

But a prayer doesn’t have to be about God. It can be a simple, blind, and occasionally desperate act of hope. Hope that among those things we don’t fully understand in the universe, there is something called Justice that is real, and powerful, and will win out in the end.

At this point, the people have spoken, the cards are all on the table, and all we can really do is pray that what’s slated to happen won’t come to be. I’ve been focusing in on the people I met in Arizona on my recent visit and praying for them individually. Praying that the shy 15-year-old kid who told me he gets good grades but probably can’t go to college won’t be suddenly sent away to a country he’s never known. Praying for the brave people who, when I arrived at the Arizona State Capitol, had been keeping vigil outside in the blazing heat for 50 days. Praying that the palpable tension I felt everywhere in the air there won’t devolve into untamed violence.

This is a situation where the nature of justice is so obvious, where truth is just begging to be heard; where innocent people’s lives are hanging in a shaky balance that can only be righted if our nation takes a major stand for tolerance. I’m not confident the right thing will happen, because I don’t believe there’s anyone checking in. But I’m going to pray.

Posted by:

Rachel Bishop