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Are devastating acts of weather, God's acts or punishments?
- Thread starter Bishka
- Start date
MdmSzdWhtGuy
Well-Known Member
Ancient peoples saw everything that happened to them, good or bad, as an act or sign from the Gods, most people being polytheistic in ancient times. When the sea was turbulent, it was Poseiden's wrath, when countries or peoples went to war it was because Ares wanted it, when people fell in love, it was because Cupid's arrow hit them, and so forth. Then eventually most people began to catch on to this pesky "science" thing, and we learned that the sea acts funny at times because of weather patterns that are cyclical and somewhat predictable, that people get sick due to germs and so forth, not because they caught the "night vapors" or because some demon was attacking them.
But then there are other folks who prefer to see things as my 5 year old daugher see's them, in simplistic terms, where everything is either black, or white, right, or left, and anything that doesn't immediately make sense is relegated to the drawer labeled "God did it." Anything that doesn't make sense or is in the least bit mysterious or unfortunate quickly will draw such statements as "The Lord works in mysterious ways" or "You reap what you sow" or some other such drivel.
Here in Tornado Alley, where I grew up, I was constantly regaled with stories of tornado's tearing up business's and (if the preacher was very lucky) a liquor store, while leaving a church down the street untouched. Or even better, the stories of houses torn asunder (a word you only ever hear in Church) while the "Family Bible" was completely intact in its cherished place of honor. Funny how they never talked about the church's that did get hit, the schools, the hospitals, and other non-offensive places that get shredded to the foundation by 200+ m.p.h. winds, . . . but then that doesn't sell as well, does it?
Nature's Wrath is just as much an act of Zeuss throwing lightening bolts or Poseiden causing the sea to rise as it is your Abrahamic God's wrath at certain areas for not being Christian enough. I expect such thinking from a child, but when grown adults indulge in such childish fantasies, I get more than a bit concerned about their grip on reality, and capacity for intelligent thought.
B.
But then there are other folks who prefer to see things as my 5 year old daugher see's them, in simplistic terms, where everything is either black, or white, right, or left, and anything that doesn't immediately make sense is relegated to the drawer labeled "God did it." Anything that doesn't make sense or is in the least bit mysterious or unfortunate quickly will draw such statements as "The Lord works in mysterious ways" or "You reap what you sow" or some other such drivel.
Here in Tornado Alley, where I grew up, I was constantly regaled with stories of tornado's tearing up business's and (if the preacher was very lucky) a liquor store, while leaving a church down the street untouched. Or even better, the stories of houses torn asunder (a word you only ever hear in Church) while the "Family Bible" was completely intact in its cherished place of honor. Funny how they never talked about the church's that did get hit, the schools, the hospitals, and other non-offensive places that get shredded to the foundation by 200+ m.p.h. winds, . . . but then that doesn't sell as well, does it?
Nature's Wrath is just as much an act of Zeuss throwing lightening bolts or Poseiden causing the sea to rise as it is your Abrahamic God's wrath at certain areas for not being Christian enough. I expect such thinking from a child, but when grown adults indulge in such childish fantasies, I get more than a bit concerned about their grip on reality, and capacity for intelligent thought.
B.
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
roli said:
Not a chance
God does not punish men on earth.
God is not into collateral damage....that is man's way.
Things happen because we live on a living world, that is fertile because of its turbulent atmosphere and environmental and geological change.
None of it is to do with God's love.... because Love is what he gives us, not punishment.
Booko
Deviled Hen
Wasn't it Benjamin Franklin who once observed that lighting was more likely to strike churches?FatMan said:
There is one use for natural disasters though -- you sure can tell the "sheep" from the "goats."
Disasters like the Boxing Day Tsunami and Katrina brought out the best in many people, who showed bravery and kindness in the face of such a tragedy. And it brought out the worst in those who would take advantage of people by ripping off what little they had left.
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
more than likely.
wa:do
wa:do
Everything is vibration. Bad thoughts cause bad vibrations, and good thoughts cause favorable vibrations. The real reason for the cause of both the world wars was greed. Many people who are in prisons are there because of circumstances beyond their control. But people who drive around in caravans are those who care very little for the plight of others - all they want to do is to enjoy themselves. I believe it is only the rich who can afford caravans in the US. Would not it be better to donate to the suffering millions in Africa and Asia rather than upgrading your car, home or buy a caravan? The rich who care very little for the plight of others are the real criminals in the eyes of the Maker. When the leaders of some nations were asked by the public as to why measures were not enforced whereby greenhouse gases could be reduced, their stupid reply was that it would be bad for business. Wonder what type of business they would conduct once their nation runs out of water due to severe droughts.
Many will say that weather is nothing more than the play of natural forces. This is not so. The tornadoes experienced in tonardo ally in the States would lessen and then cease to exist if the states of the deep south give up their racial hatred.
Just as in a country we cannot forge a business contract against the laws of the country, nations which practice greed, intolerance and other vices will soon be on the receiving end of nature - even though their preachers tell them it is perfectly O.K. to do so.:no:
Many will say that weather is nothing more than the play of natural forces. This is not so. The tornadoes experienced in tonardo ally in the States would lessen and then cease to exist if the states of the deep south give up their racial hatred.
Just as in a country we cannot forge a business contract against the laws of the country, nations which practice greed, intolerance and other vices will soon be on the receiving end of nature - even though their preachers tell them it is perfectly O.K. to do so.:no:
Dirty Penguin
Master Of Ceremony
To answer the original question, WHO CARES?????
Good grief!!!
Things that are happening are happening because they are supposed to. You know how I know??????
BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAPPENED!!!!
Do you want to know if you're going to see the sun tommorow? I don't know. If you happened to wake up and see the sun tomorrow then you'll have your answer. You saw the sun because you were supposed to. You know how I'd know that? Because you you saw the sun when you woke up.
If it was an act of your god then why raise the question? Nothing you do can stop it... It's an act of your god!!!!
Good grief!!!
Things that are happening are happening because they are supposed to. You know how I know??????
BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAPPENED!!!!
Do you want to know if you're going to see the sun tommorow? I don't know. If you happened to wake up and see the sun tomorrow then you'll have your answer. You saw the sun because you were supposed to. You know how I'd know that? Because you you saw the sun when you woke up.
If it was an act of your god then why raise the question? Nothing you do can stop it... It's an act of your god!!!!
Hirohito18200
Member
You could run into some trouble here...
If it is God's will that your house was destroyed, is it not an explicit defiance to try and rebuild it? If he had wanted it to stand, he wouldn't have sent a tornado through it.
I guess for insurance purposes the definition of "God" could simply be that of say Steven Hawking... the physical laws that govern the universe and the underlying uncertainty of everything. That way, an "Act of Chance" was the culprit... as said in an earlier post.
All in all, I'm surprised that the phrase has survived.
If it is God's will that your house was destroyed, is it not an explicit defiance to try and rebuild it? If he had wanted it to stand, he wouldn't have sent a tornado through it.
I guess for insurance purposes the definition of "God" could simply be that of say Steven Hawking... the physical laws that govern the universe and the underlying uncertainty of everything. That way, an "Act of Chance" was the culprit... as said in an earlier post.
All in all, I'm surprised that the phrase has survived.
Mathematician
Reason, and reason again
Where do I get God insurance? Do I have to pay more than a theist?
maggie2
Active Member
Kay said:Punishments? No. Acts of God? Sorta.
As a panentheist I think all exists within God, so a hurricane on this little bitty planet might be likened to actions that take place within my body being "Acts of Kay." (Poor analogy perhaps.
To me that's a really good way to put it. I don't think I could improve on that much.
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
Personally I think people shouldn't get "living in a stupid place" insurance.
Hurricane ruin your Florida home... duh.
Mississippi flood your home.... duh.
Tornado got you house in tornado ally.... duh.
how about building homes that are designed with the land in mind. Nope, everyone wants the 'dream', a stupidly designed box just waiting to be blown, washed or ripped away.
insurance should be for real disasters, the kind that arn't garenteed.
wa:do
Hurricane ruin your Florida home... duh.
Mississippi flood your home.... duh.
Tornado got you house in tornado ally.... duh.
how about building homes that are designed with the land in mind. Nope, everyone wants the 'dream', a stupidly designed box just waiting to be blown, washed or ripped away.
insurance should be for real disasters, the kind that arn't garenteed.
wa:do
Moni_Gail
ELIGE MAGISTRUM
Natural disasters befalling communities are a direct result of people's actions. Their action is living in an area that it occurs. When a tornado comes through tornado alley it's only devastating to those people because they live there. It's akin to the disastorous community of Pompei. They mistook a volcano that had been dormant for a mountain.
God punishing the wicked with weather, to me this line of thinking is comparable to Phelp's group saying that 9/11 and our soldiers dying are a result of our wickedness.
We've come pretty far from ancient times and their ways of thinking. That is, until you hear something like this. I don't think we need supernatural explanations any longer for our earth's capricious ways.
And sadly, for as many turned away thinking that their god was unjust in destroying their homes, families, and livlihoods it's just as likely that many turned to their churches and gods to help them make sense of it. This to me is not rational. They believe that it was divine intervention that put them in this situation so they then turn to that very same god for solace.
God punishing the wicked with weather, to me this line of thinking is comparable to Phelp's group saying that 9/11 and our soldiers dying are a result of our wickedness.
We've come pretty far from ancient times and their ways of thinking. That is, until you hear something like this. I don't think we need supernatural explanations any longer for our earth's capricious ways.
And sadly, for as many turned away thinking that their god was unjust in destroying their homes, families, and livlihoods it's just as likely that many turned to their churches and gods to help them make sense of it. This to me is not rational. They believe that it was divine intervention that put them in this situation so they then turn to that very same god for solace.
beckysoup61 said:Are devastating acts of weather, God's acts or punishments?
If so, why, and if not, should we still be able to claim 'acts of God' on our insurance forms?
For example, take New Orleans (known to some Christians as a city full of sin), and Colorado City (hypothetically). Let's say a terrible earthquake happened in Colorado City and killed thousands of people, and then compare that to Katrina in New Orleans.
Since Colorado is th eresiding place of James Dobson and such, would the earthquake be considered an "act of God" by the Christians or just an 'act of nature', because God wouldn't punish His 'good Christians'?
Why is the hurricane that hit New Orleans considered an act of God by some? And why isn't it by others?
As far as I am concerned, natural disasters are just that - natural.
I don't believe that God is taking pot-shots at anyone; we are the ones who are responsible. As far as the hurricane that hit New Orleans is concerned, I would put that down (mainly) to the sea defences being insufficient, and Global warming.
There is no doubt now that Global warming is playing havock with the weather all over the world.................And man (not God) is responsible for that.