Legit question for folks of this group! [View all]

A bit of my background: I was brought up in a religious, but not overly so, household. Baptized, Sunday School, confirmed, even a bit of church summer camp. Gave it all up when I was told things like “God has a plan” in response to family deaths and tragedies that should happen to no one. If my suffering and pain is part of someone’s plan, that’s not a plan I wanted any part of.

That said, when people say things like “Trump was saved through God’s grace,” what does that mean to a progressive Christian? To me, a non-religious person, it sounds like an insult to the people God didn’t save. Like, what about Competore? What about the 60 people killed in Vegas by the mass shooter there? No grace for them? Is this kind of arbitrariness taken as a positive aspect of Christianity that is just over my head?

I kind of feel the same way when football teams thank God for their victories. Like, ok, are you saying God loves you more than the other team? That can’t possibly be true, to my way of thinking. But maybe I’m missing something.

I have a clear bias. I know that. These statements must have a positive meaning that I’m not understanding. Otherwise, people would not say them. Can someone shed some light on what I missed in my religious upbringing to help me understand?

Thanks in advance.