History Main / TheGodsMustBeLazy

* ''Fanfic/RosarioVampireBrightestDarkness'': For all of their claims that they want to protect humanity, the Almighty and the angels typically just sit back and watch as Tsukune and his pals fight for their lives against such threats as [[AntiHumanAlliance Fairy Tale]] and [[EldritchAbomination Alucard]]. Rason even calls them on it in Act IV chapter 16, where they blatantly refuse to intervene against Hokuto's plan to revive Alucard.
* In the ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' fic ''[[Fanfic/BoundDestiniesTrilogy Wisdom and Courage]]'', Din, Nayru, and Farore essentially just sit back and watch as [[BigBad Veran]] steals their [[MacGuffin Triforce]] and uses it to commit all manner of atrocities ForTheEvulz. At one point, Link and Zelda, the Goddesses' [[TheChosenOne chosen ones]], even outright wonder ''why'' the Goddesses aren't doing anything about Veran; they only strip Veran of the Triforce when she's been fatally impaled on the Master Sword, ''after'' she's used its power to completely destroy both Hyrule ''and'' Termina and killed hundreds of innocent people in cold blood.
* Averted in another ''Legend of Zelda'' fic, ''[[https://www.mediaminer.org/fanfic/s/legend-of-zelda-fan-fiction/the-legend-of-link-lucky-number-13/19769 The Legend of Link: Lucky Number 13]]''. Gods are free to intervene in mortal affairs in any way they see fit, including creating/destroying new species, entire planets, and possibly even ''universes.'' Savvy gods like Link Sr deliberately "farm" mortals (notably the Sermonians) by giving them power and resources [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly in exchange for worship]].
** Played straight with [[TopGod Fate and Destiny]] themselves. They are similarly hands-off toward lesser gods the same way those lesser gods are with mortals, even if one of those gods is threatening them directly. It's later shown that Fate ''does'' take active steps to suppress threats, but does so [[TheChessmaster by proxy]], such as letting [[spoiler:Hadrian and Charon be depowered by the Originals]], and by letting Link dispatch of [[spoiler:his father]].

* At the start of ''VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaV'', the four CPU goddesses ([[Creator/{{Sega}} Neptune]], [[UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} Blanc]], [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 Noire]] and [[UsefulNotes/XBox360 Vert]]) have slacked off from their work because there is no more threat from any piracy group. Histoire kicks them out to do some work in which, Neptune finds herself [[BadassDecay going from level 99 back to level one]]. Oh and thanks to them slacking off, someone started a group to ''actually kick the gods out'' and become independent from their rule (which is one of the main plots of the game).

'''Sisko:''' The hell they don't. What about Bajor? You can't tell me that Bajor doesn't concern you. You've sent the Bajorans orbs and Emissaries -- you've encouraged them to create an entire religion around you. You even told me once that you were "of Bajor!" So don't tell me you're not "concerned" with corporeal matters. I don't want to see Bajor destroyed and neither do you. And we all know that's exactly what's going to happen if the Dominion takes over the Alpha Quadrant. You say you don't want me to sacrifice my life -- fine, neither do I. You want to be gods -- then be gods. I need a miracle. ''Bajor'' needs a miracle. '''''Stop those ships!'''''

The [[TropeNamer trope name]] comes from the film ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy''. If this trope is averted (i.e. gods take more active roles in fighting evil) see BoltOfDivineRetribution, BargainWithHeaven, BenevolentGenie, GuardianAngel, PalsWithJesus, PatronGod, DivineAssistance, DivineConflict, DivineIntervention, DivinePunishment, GaiasVengeance, GodWasMyCopilot, EmissaryFromTheDivine, GoodVersusEvil, HeavenVersusHell, HellInvadesHeaven, HealerGod, GodOfLight, GodOfOrder, LightIsGood, GodOfGood and GodIsGood. The villainous version of this is OrcusOnHisThrone. Compare InMysteriousWays where [[AmbiguousSituation it's left unclear whether or not this trope is in effect]].

See also AlienNonInterferenceClause, AlmightyIdiot, AllPowerfulBystander, AmnesiacGod, BeingGodIsHard, DisabledDeity, DivineMisfile, GodIsFlawed, GodIsInept, GodIsNeutral, GodIsDispleased, GodlySidestep, GodsHandsAreTied, GoodIsImpotent, BeingGoodSucks, GoodIsBoring, GodsNeedPrayerBadly, PowersThatBe, HaveYouSeenMyGod, PiecesOfGod, NotSoOmniscientAfterAll, ReasoningWithGod, OfferingsToTheGods, TheWatcher, NotQuiteTheAlmighty, NeglectfulPrecursors. If the good deities aren't just lazy but flat out don't exist or are absent that's DevilButNoGod or GodIsDead.

Should the deities involved be [[{{Jerkass}} unpleasant]] or [[BlackAndGreyMorality incredibly]] [[GrayAndGreyMorality morally]] and [[ValuesDissonance ethically]] [[BlueAndOrangeMorality complex]] see TricksterGod, JackassGenie, JerkassGods and AbusivePrecursors. If this trope is PlayedWith enough to possibly be sent to its LogicalExtreme or flipped entirely see AscendedDemon, TheAntiGod, DemiurgeArchetype, DestroyerDeity, IncrediblyInconvenientDeity, GodOfDarkness, GodOfChaos, HolyIsNotSafe, LightIsNotGood, GoodIsNotNice, GoodIsNotSoft, DarkIsNotEvil, SatanIsGood, MadGod, NatureIsNotNice, OrderIsNotGood, GodOfEvil, GodIsEvil, FallenCupid, FallenAngel, BothOrderAndChaosAreDangerous and GodAndSatanAreBothJerks.

This is to prevent the feeling of DeusExMachina but InUniverse [[BrokenAesop it doesn't work very well]], the message seeming to be that GoodIsBoring, GoodIsImpotent and BeingGoodSucks but EvilIsCool, EvilTastesGood and EvilIsEasy. The explanation for this is usually that {{God}} solving people's problems [[SlidingScaleOfFreeWillVersusFate would prevent free will...]] but if you think about it, monsters and such coming to wreak havoc sure is screwing around with free will and the least the angels could do is get off their bums and [[BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil keep a damn balance]]. In the worst case-scenarios this can lead to characters enacting some form of {{revenge}} for [[SelectiveObliviousness such]] [[IgnoranceIsBliss ignorance]] by starting a RageAgainstTheHeavens, undergoing a FaithHeelTurn, becoming a NayTheist or choosing to try FightingYourGod to KillTheGod; alternatively the one actively forsaking their GodJob can be branded a LoserDeity.

The [[TropeNamer trope name]] comes from the film ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy''. If this trope is averted (i.e. gods take more active roles in fighting evil) see BoltOfDivineRetribution, BargainWithHeaven, BenevolentGenie, GuardianAngel, PalsWithJesus, PatronGod, DivineAssistance, DivineConflict, DivineIntervention, DivinePunishment, GaiasVengeance, GodWasMyCopilot, EmissaryFromTheDivine, HeavenVersusHell, HellInvadesHeaven, HealerGod, GodOfLight, GodOfOrder, LightIsGood, GodOfGood and GodIsGood. The villainous version of this is OrcusOnHisThrone. Compare InMysteriousWays where [[AmbiguousSituation it's left unclear whether or not this trope is in effect]].

Should the deities involved be [[{{Jerkass}} unpleasant]] or [[BlackAndGreyMorality incredibly]] [[GrayAndGreyMorality morally]] and [[ValuesDissonance ethically]] [[BlueAndOrangeMorality complex]] see TricksterGod, JackassGenie, JerkassGods and AbusivePrecursors. If this trope is PlayedWith enough to possibly be sent to its LogicalExtreme or flipped entirely see AscendedDemon, TheAntiGod, DemiurgeArchetype, DestroyerDeity, IncrediblyInconvenientDeity, GodOfDarkness, GodOfChaos, HolyIsNotSafe, LightIsNotGood, GoodIsNotNice, GoodIsNotSoft, DarkIsNotEvil, SatanIsGood, ChaosIsEvil, MadGod, NatureIsNotNice, OrderIsNotGood, GodOfEvil, GodIsEvil, FallenCupid, FallenAngel and GodAndSatanAreBothJerks.

In a setting where there are [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demons]] and [[OurAngelsAreDifferent angels]] or the [[TakeAThirdOption equivalent forces]] of cosmic evil and good, evil will go out and raze villages, kill people and destroy countrysides. Meanwhile, {{God}} will only exist as a symbolic force to inspire heroes. Either that or you'll have the PowersThatBe incapable of or unwilling to stop a rogue GodOfEvil. Either way they won't have a hands-on approach.

This is to prevent the feeling of DeusExMachina but InUniverse [[BrokenAesop it doesn't work very well]], the message seeming to be that GoodIsBoring, GoodIsImpotent and BeingGoodSucks but EvilIsCool, EvilTastesGood and EvilIsEasy. The explanation for this is usually that {{God}} solving people's problems [[SlidingScaleOfFreeWillVersusFate would prevent free will...]] but if you think about it, monsters and such coming to wreak havoc sure is screwing around with free will and the least the angels could do is get off their bums and [[BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil keep a damn balance]]. In the worst case-scenarios this can lead to characters enacting some form of {{revenge}} for [[SelectiveObliviousness such]] [[IgnoranceIsBliss ignorance]] by starting a RageAgainstTheHeavens, undergoing a HeelFaithTurn, becoming a NayTheist or choosing to try FightingYourGod to KillTheGod; alternatively the one actively forsaking their GodJob can be branded a LoserDeity.

See also AlienNonInterferenceClause, AlmightyIdiot, AllPowerfulBystander, AmnesiacGod, BeingGodIsHard, DisabledDeity, DivineMisfile, GodIsFlawed, GodIsInept, GodIsNeutral, GodIsDispleased, GodlySidestep, GodsHandsAreTied, GoodIsImpotent, BeingGoodSucks, GoodIsBoring, GodsNeedPrayerBadly, PowersThatBe, HaveYouSeenMyGod, PiecesOfGod, ReasoningWithGod, OfferingsToTheGods, TheWatcher, NotQuiteTheAlmighty, NeglectfulPrecursors. If the good deities aren't just lazy but flat out don't exist or are absent that's DevilButNoGod or GodIsDead.

See also AlienNonInterferenceClause, AlmightyIdiot, AllPowerfulBystander, AmnesiacGod, BeingGodIsHard, DivineMisfile, GodIsFlawed, GodIsInept, GodIsNeutral, GodIsDispleased, GodlySidestep, GodsHandsAreTied, GoodIsImpotent, BeingGoodSucks, GoodIsBoring, GodsNeedPrayerBadly, IncrediblyInconvenientDeity, PowersThatBe, HaveYouSeenMyGod, PiecesOfGod, ReasoningWithGod, TheWatcher, NotQuiteTheAlmighty, NeglectfulPrecursors. If the good deities aren't just lazy but flat out don't exist or are absent that's DevilButNoGod or GodIsDead.

Should the deities involved be [[{{Jerkass}} unpleasant]] or [[BlackAndGreyMorality incredibly]] [[GrayAndGreyMorality morally]] and [[ValuesDissonance ethically]] [[BlueAndOrangeMorality complex]] see JackassGenie, JerkassGods and AbusivePrecursors. If this trope is PlayedWith enough to possibly be sent to its LogicalExtreme or flipped entirely see TheAntiGod, DemiurgeArchetype, DestroyerDeity, GodOfDarkness, GodOfChaos, LightIsNotGood, GoodIsNotNice, GoodIsNotSoft, ChaosIsEvil, MadGod, NatureIsNotNice, OrderIsNotGood, GodOfEvil, GodIsEvil, FallenAngel and GodAndSatanAreBothJerks.

The [[TropeNamer trope name]] comes from the film ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy''. If this trope is averted (i.e. gods take more active roles in fighting evil) see BargainWithHeaven, BenevolentGenie, GuardianAngel, PalsWithJesus, PatronGod, DivineAssistance, DivineConflict, DivineIntervention, DivinePunishment, GaiasVengeance, GodWasMyCopilot, EmissaryFromTheDivine, HeavenVersusHell, HellInvadesHeaven, HealerGod, GodOfLight, GodOfOrder, LightIsGood, GodOfGood and GodIsGood. The villainous version of this is OrcusOnHisThrone. Compare InMysteriousWays where [[AmbiguousSituation it is left unclear whether or not this trope is in effect]].

See also AlmightyIdiot, AllPowerfulBystander, GodIsFlawed, GodIsInept, GodsHandsAreTied, GoodIsImpotent, BeingGoodSucks, GoodIsBoring, PowersThatBe, HaveYouSeenMyGod, NeglectfulPrecursors. Should the deities involved be [[{{Jerkass}} unpleasant]] or [[BlackAndGreyMorality incredibly]] [[GrayAndGreyMorality morally]] [[ValuesDissonance and ethically]] [[BlueAndOrangeMorality complex]] see JackassGenie, JerkassGods and AbusivePrecursors. If the good deities aren't just lazy but flat-out don't exist or are absent that's DevilButNoGod or GodIsDead. This might be the reason a work falls into Class 3 on the SlidingScaleOfDivineIntervention.

If this trope is PlayedWith enough to possibly be sent to its LogicalExtreme or flipped entirely see TheAntiGod, GodOfChaos, LightIsNotGood, GoodIsNotNice, GoodIsNotSoft, MadGod, OrderIsNotGood, GodOfEvil, GodIsEvil, FallenAngel and GodAndSatanAreBothJerks.

The [[TropeNamer trope name]] comes from the film ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy''. If this trope is averted (i.e. gods take a more active role in fighting evil) see BenevolentGenie, DivineConflict, HeavenVersusHell, GodOfOrder, LightIsGood, GodOfGood and GodIsGood. The villainous version of this is OrcusOnHisThrone. Compare InMysteriousWays where [[AmbiguousSituation it is left unclear whether or not this trope is in effect]].