Disasters = Punishment?

[dmdave17]

Within the past couple of years, a respected religious leader whose name escapes me caught a lot of heat for suggesting that the hurricanes that devastated Haiti in 2008 were the result of their practice of voodoo. However, when we look at several of the "mega disasters" over the past several years, a pattern does seem to emerge.

New Orleans-Hurricane Katrina...the open practice of Voodoo by many residents, and the extreme "paganization" of the Christian faith (see Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, etc.).

Haiti-2008 storms...According to the CIA World factbook, about 50% of the population practice Vodou.

Japan-massive earthquake and the after effects...only about 1% of the population is Christian.

Several other large disasters have also happened in countries in which they may "talk the talk", but they definitely do not "walk the walk".

What do you think? Can we draw any conclusion from where these disasters seem to be centered?

 

[contemplative]

What do you think? Can we draw any conclusion from where these disasters seem to be centered?

The idea is tempting, that people deserve their particular misfortunes, but it's taught throughout the Bible that God is sovereign and can do as he pleases with his creation. As Jesus says in John, what we might consider bad might actually have been intended as an opportunity for God to show his works:

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

In the book of Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are convinced that disaster has befallen Job because of unconfessed sin. They are condemned by God for their lack of understanding. We should avoid making the same mistake and warranting the same condemnation.

The sort of principle, karma really, is more Hindu and Buddhist than Christian. The only way we could connect a disaster to a set of sins is by revelation from God himself.

 

[Scotth1960]

Within the past couple of years, a respected religious leader whose name escapes me caught a lot of heat for suggesting that the hurricanes that devastated Haiti in 2008 were the result of their practice of voodoo. However, when we look at several of the "mega disasters" over the past several years, a pattern does seem to emerge.

New Orleans-Hurricane Katrina...the open practice of Voodoo by many residents, and the extreme "paganization" of the Christian faith (see Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, etc.).

Haiti-2008 storms...According to the CIA World factbook, about 50% of the population practice Vodou.

Japan-massive earthquake and the after effects...only about 1% of the population is Christian.

Several other large disasters have also happened in countries in which they may "talk the talk", but they definitely do not "walk the walk".

What do you think? Can we draw any conclusion from where these disasters seem to be centered?

If the disasters were punishment for sin, then they would come 24 hours a day upon all nations, for there are people 24 hours a day in all nation who commit some sin. Maybe they don't commit a sin of commission; they commit a sin of omission, maybe, by failing to do something good. Anyway, if we repent and seek God's mercy, and believe in God and start doing good, punishment doesn't come to us from God. I think these things in the world happen because of natural processes, and of course God in His sovereignty is in total control of these natural occurrences, like earthquakes, tsunamis, flood, snow, fires, and so on. It is pointless to pick on Haiti for vodoo, or Japan for Buddhism and idolatry.
America commits sins of pornography, polygamy, child molesting, rape, spousal abuse, many many abortions, many many divorces and serial marriages, and no-marriages, fornication, adultery, and God have mercy! even same-sex "marriages" and what is worse, cannibalism and bestiality. All of these things, somewhere in America. And racism and greed, corporate greed Bernie Madoff, and so on. Racism, KKK and Aryan Brotherhood. And terrorism in the name of Islam and allah, Ft. Hood massacres. Columbine terrorism by non-Muslims. Violence. Too much violence, too many people using guns. Too much talk about the 2nd Amendment and the private opinions of the NRA (National Rifle Association). God bless America. The worst thing in America is the Westboro Baptist "Church" (sic), not a church, but an assembly of hatred and what I believe is non-Christian error.
In Erie PA Scott Harrington

 

[fireflies]

I thought that Jesus said to love those that were mean, ugly and cruel because after all didn't he tell us that God rains on the just and the un just alike? And that if God gives to those who are un grateful and just plain out rotten to the core, well then we are supposed to love to right? So then why would a God that tells us to turn the other cheek and love the un lovable send disasters on them? That kinda contradicts itself doesn't it?

 

[fireflies]

Matthew 5:45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth RAIN on the just and on the unjust.

 

[AnandaHya]

I thought that Jesus said to love those that were mean, ugly and cruel because after all didn't he tell us that God rains on the just and the un just alike? And that if God gives to those who are un grateful and just plain out rotten to the core, well then we are supposed to love to right? So then why would a God that tells us to turn the other cheek and love the un lovable send disasters on them? That kinda contradicts itself doesn't it?

I think that is to teach us how we personally are to act towards other people. If you take the Bible in its entirety then you will see that it says God is a Just God and His wrath will fall upon those who deserve it. God will punish the wicked in His due time. Natural disasters punish everyone not just picking and choosing people to hurt, destroy or kill. The Bible speaks how its necessary. We all know that eventually there will be an earthquake that will devastate California, we are just waiting for it to occur.

The miracle is not that diasasters and destruction but when God intervenes and overrules the natural scientifically accepted mode of the world.

When faced with conflict science tells us that we humans have three base animal instincts of survival: freeze, flight or fight.

However Jesus asks us to go against those three natural worldly desire when he tells us to FORGIVE, LOVE and turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile.

Miracles happen every day when God intervenes and does the unexpected.

 

[fireflies]

let me get this straight, I don't want to read something into what you typed but it appears you are saying that God sent this disaster upon the Japanese people as a form of judgement on them? am I mis understanding you? Or is that what you are saying? I could be wrong and stand corrected if so but it seems as if that is what you are saying here. Please correct me if I am wrong? Need it to be clearer.

 

[AnandaHya]

let me get this straight, I don't want to read something into what you typed but it appears you are saying that God sent this disaster upon the Japanese people as a form of judgement on them? am I mis understanding you? Or is that what you are saying? I could be wrong and stand corrected if so but it seems as if that is what you are saying here. Please correct me if I am wrong? Need it to be clearer.

Here is a basic lesson in science from a high school science teacher: the key term is platetonics

it is a natural thing for the earthquakes to occur. that is how the world was created. it is like saying "do people deserve the rain?"

Rain can cause flooding but is also needed for plants to grow. Think, it natural. Relax, God is in control.

PS. if you don't want to have to deal with lava flow, don't live in the foot of a volcano.