This type of logic is destructive. Christian's see that it is destructive but they are, for the most part, enabling it because their very own faith hinges on the same argument. Christians 'know' what God wants and if they don't know (which none really do) it is scary for them to admit or even think about it as it means the strength of their faith is at stake. In hind site Christians use the G Card to explain things for which the true explanation is either unknown (i.e. the cause of the plane crash is still being investigated) or unfathomable (i.e. dropping a bomb on a civilian building with the knowledge that non-violent men, women and children were there), or sometimes in place of reasonable explanation for emphasis. It takes personal accountability away from the person using the G Card (in their mind and the mind of other fervent believers).

To non-Christians the G Card is ineffective as their faith or lack thereof is not hinged on the basis of the existence of the Christian God and His will. For the Christians reading this imagine someone who practices Islam making the claim that "Allah told me to take the infidel's life. Allah's will be done." Chances are you will call bull$h*t as you don't believe in Islam. The reasoning that Allah is the cause of a murder not only doesn't make sense since Allah doesn't exist but it looks as if that person is delusional as well.

The best outcome of using such empty justification would be giving a good person a bad reason to do something good where a good reason is actually available (i.e. God wants me to help the poor. God stopped my hand from striking her). The only problem with having positive outcomes due to the G Card is that people become dependent on God (which is what organized religion in general wants to achieve) and attribute more and more experiences to God's will. "Use me God. I can't do this without you. I surrender my will to you." Associating things that you do with a motivation stemming from your God isn't just irresponsible; it's more addictive than the most addictive drugs on earth. Viewing God as 'on your side' is self-serving, naive and not to mention rude (as non-believers are held in contempt by default).

It seems like many people who commented experienced the G Card in a similar context by someone else using it to justify a decision without having to think of real justification. It makes me wonder if laziness, ignorance or fear is the most common instigator of the G Card; or for that matter the organized side of spirituality?

Love it! Great point!

EXACTLY. Can you believe my husband used this one about getting a vasectomy? Completely against my wishes? A complete 180 from telling me the name he had picked out for his future son the first night we met? Yeah…'cause the ZILLION places in the Bible (which he admits to not having read all the way through, but is very proficient at twisting to get/get out of whatever he currently wants) that mention Godly children and children are a blessing and all that stuff are just, y'know, for other people. Bleargh!!