Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) upset some people of faith in the aftermath of the tragic shootings at two New Zealand mosques that left 49 people dead. She asked “what good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?”
At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 15, 2019
But I couldn’t say “imagine.”
Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.
What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?pic.twitter.com/2mSw0azDN8
She clarified shortly after her initial tweet that she was referencing “the NRA’s phrase used to deflect conversation away from policy change during tragedies.” She added that she did not mean to criticize New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
(“Thoughts and prayers” is reference to the NRA’s phrase used to deflect conversation away from policy change during tragedies. Not directed to PM Ardern, who I greatly admire.)
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 15, 2019
Still, many people of faith took offense at her reaction and argued that thoughts and prayers are very needed in times like these.
Actually, prayers are exactly what's needed in times like these. And before. And after. Perhaps if more people were in faithful prayer and not hyperventilating over the virtue signaling they love to hear from politicians like you, we could achieve more as a people. https://t.co/DU6ZGAVffO
— JD Rucker (@JDRucker) March 15, 2019
These poor, innocent people were murdered by a despicable terrorist in their house of prayer, and you choose to denigrate prayer in the aftermath? What is wrong with you?
— Chet Cannon (@Chet_Cannon) March 15, 2019
this is incredibly insensitive to my muslim brothers and sisters who were slain in cold blood while they were literally praying because they want to be closer to their creator and they want to become better people. https://t.co/uq9VzofTsN
— siraj hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) March 15, 2019
You are pathetic @AOC. Grow up.
— M. Zuhdi Jasser ???? ???? (@DrZuhdiJasser) March 15, 2019
Give it, whatever it is you do, a rest.
They were praying, worshipping to God when they were slaughtered.
For believers, God is all we ever truly have. And yes. Prayers is always the first place and the last place we go in the face of horror. https://t.co/y3LPRd7vuZ