Thoughts and prayers do absolutely nothing for the victims or their families. The decent thing to do would be to take up collections to help pay for funerals and to see the families through their loss.

But I suspect it may be too much like hard work in many cases.

helpful, it also isn't necessarily harmful, either...unless it becomes an excuse for inaction, which is unfortunately how most people (mostly conservatives) use that phrase/gesture.

Hell, it's become such a cliche response for conservatives that it really just comes off as mocking or patronizing whenever they fucking do it now....and more often than not, that is why they do it. They know the phrase is (understandably) ridiculed and they're using it for the sole purpose of trying to piss people off and "trigger the libs."

At least when a liberal-minded person says it, I know they're probably at least being sincere in the sentiment--even if it might not be constructive.

I am not offended by people saying thoughts and prayers are not enough. Like you it's only the ones who believe that's all they need to do is pray, to stop tragedies from happening that I find offensive.

It's their attitude that frankly is offensive to me. They might as well be saying, "there must be a reason why God let's this keep happening, even though we pray to him to stop it." God isn't the one going around glorifying guns and violence. That's screwed up humans, using their free will, chosing to do horrific things, and even encouraging others to do the same. Especially this society where too many value their guns over human life.

In my personal view God weeps with us, and offers us the strength to cope and go on, but he cannot force humans to love him, follow his laws, or to stop hurting their fellow humans.

Very in line with my own beliefs. One of my posts about this is here:

https://democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20591155

...is the 2nd Amendment.

Led by the Supreme Court that has otherwise declared the Constitution unconstitutional the rest of the document doesn't matter.

but voted for a man for President, who has more than likely broken every single one of them multiple times. They ought to have the letter H tattooed on their heads in scarlett.

Exemplifies all seven Deadly Sins.

He lacks any Fruit of the Spirit, and embodies the very opposite of them.

Why, oh why don't most Republicans see it for themselves?!

Send out where? To whom? With what consequence?

I would like to understand how this process works. What is the intended result?

Recommended.

prayers are not action

thoughts are not action

Action is what is required.

are at Mass. It's more than preventive and not just optics. The deputy walks the grounds, especially all entrances, and sits near the main entrance for the hour and a half the children, their teachers, and other adults are at prayer.

An ounce of church outreach to law enforcement is worth the effort. Law enforcement have families and children and are sympathetic to protecting churches. But they have to be asked.

But - I'm actually kinda' glad we've (finally) gotten to the point where we're pointing to, and calling out - a certain amount of meaningless empty gesture (and mouthings)

And, yes .. everyone is aware that not all such expression is either cynical, shallow, or without any true feeling.
But, for too long ... And particularly at the hands of our leaders and representatives ...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

if you bring up policy matters.

do nothing but make the "sender" feel as if they've done something positive for about 20 seconds.

In other words, do the thing you are praying about. Otherwise it's just an empty gesture.