God?s Own

This week, Saumya Balsari wonders why God talks to the President of the United States, and not to her.

We’ve always known God works in mysterious ways. Ours is not to question why. Last week, the papers told us that the President of the United States claimed God told him to invade Iraq. Not only did God apparently command annihilation of the enemy, but also an attack on Osama bin Laden's stronghold of Afghanistan. God made it quite clear it was part of a divine mission to bring peace to the Middle East, security for Israel, and a state for the Palestinians. Now, that’s a lot to ask of any human. It’s a task for Prometheus.

Frankly, I’m jealous. I thought God was busy saving kings and queens, not chatting. Why does God only talk to the Prez, and not to me? Or does God talk to me, and I’m not listening? This opens up a host of other questions: When does God talk to America’s Commander-in-Chief? Is there a particular divine primetime hour? Is it a one-to-one, a one-off? Is it a chat (does God do small talk?), or a brisk in-out-Roger-type-of-conversation? Is there a special hotline? A toll-free number to ring, or a high-tech Nano I-wheel to touch? Where does God talk – in the White House?

According to a BBC series that will be broadcast this month, Bush apparently made the assertion during his first meeting with Palestinian leaders in June 2003. The President has clearly had his own divine advisor for a very long time. What a godsend! But what about the rest of us? I must admit, it’s encouraging to know that in the past, Woody Allen has felt as bewildered as I do: “If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank”. Allen even went so far as to (mistakenly) say a long time ago: “God is silent, now if only we can get Man to shut up.” Fortunately, others have been far wiser. Heinrich Heine reportedly said on his deathbed, also a very long time ago, “God will pardon me, it is His trade”.

I had never truly understood the meaning of the words “God’s own country” and “God’s own” before. Now, of course I do. I understand “divine right and “godspeed” as well.

(Saumya Balsari is the author of the comic novel 'The Cambridge Curry Club', and wrote a play for Kali Theatre Company's Futures last year. She has worked as a freelance journalist in London, and is currently writing a second novel.)