The front cover for Thursday's edition of the New York Daily News took a strong stance against how various politicians are calling for prayer instead of pushing tighter gun controls laws, in the wake of the San Bernardino mass shooting that left at least 14 dead.
The headline, made in response to this phenomenon, reads, "God Isn't Fixing This."
Around the paper's headline are images of tweets from Republicans Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, and Paul Ryan, who are offering their prayers after the killings.
Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino who willingly go into harm’s way to save others
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 2, 2015
Thoughts & prayers are with #SanBernardino — Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) December 2, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families, and brave first responders during this unspeakable tragedy. — Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 2, 2015
Please keep the victims of #SanBernardino, California in your prayers. https://t.co/KTiYET1YBe — Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) December 2, 2015
Beneath the headline reads: "As latest batch of innocent Americans are left lying in pools of blood, cowards who could truly end gun scourge continue to hide behind meaningless platitudes."
The controversial headline elicited both agreement and anger when it first appeared as preview on Twitter Wednesday night, according to CNN. Some praised it as brilliant, prompting them to call out for more congressional action.
Prayer and tax cuts are the only two political actions Republicans ever make. #SanBernadino https://t.co/A7p2E5Sn5k — MATTY ICE (@MattyIceAZ) December 3, 2015
@SpeakerRyan We need more from you than prayers. — David Mignery (@DBMignery) December 2, 2015
While others felt calling for prayer was appropriate and shouldn't be mocked.
Currently getting attacked by atheists for praying for #SanBernadino. Twitter is great but there is a lot of human garbage on here. — Markeece Young (@YoungBLKRepub) December 3, 2015
Stop with the ridiculous mocking of the "Pray for" people. Its possible to both pray and act! #SanBernadino
— Lord Macintosh (@DarthGeekonius) December 3, 2015
The New York Daily News' Editor-in-Chief Jim Rich responded to the criticism.
"The Daily News front page is not, in any way, shape or form, condemning prayer or religion," Rich said in a statement. "Anyone suggesting otherwise is either - intentionally or unintentionally - misconstruing the point, which is that most GOP politicians have offered nothing but empty platitudes and angry rhetoric in response to the ongoing plague of gun violence in our country."
This isn't the first time the newspaper made waves with a front page that some considered controversial.
In August, the New York Daily News' front cover discussing the murders of WDBJ reporters Alison Parker and Adam Ward had images of the shooting from the gunman's perspective.
Many came up in arms, arguing that the paper went too far, however, the newspaper stood by its decision arguing that the images were an essential part of the story.
"We feel passionate about strengthening gun control, imploring politicians to improve mental health services, and highlighting the extraordinary scale of daily gun violence... That's why we published the images," the Daily News wrote in a note to readers in August.
