Is God's Wrath Burning Oklahoma & Texas?

[NathanATX]

(I just posted this on my blog... http://blog.myspace.com/nathanatx)

As you read this, wildfires & grass fires are sweeping across North Texas and Oklahoma, burning acres of grasslands, crops & trees, destroying homes, businesses, churches and schools. Why is this happening?

This region is famous, or infamous, depending on your perspective, for being known as the “Buckle of the Bible Belt.” It is a hotbed of Bible Schools and Christian Universities. There are more churches per capita in this region than anywhere else in the United States. So why is God judging them? Isn’t this the “holiest” part of America?

When our nation was attacked by religious extremists on September 11th, 2001, one of the most prominent conservative Christian leaders, Jerry Falwell declared, “…I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say: you helped this happen.” I guess it was “ok” for God’s wrath to hit the Northeast United States, since everyone knows they’re so liberal.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, his good buddy, Pat Robertson, in reference to Ellen Degeneres being selected as host for the Emmys, said, "By choosing an avowed lesbian for this national event, these Hollywood elites have clearly invited God's wrath. Is it any surprise that the Almighty chose to strike at Miss Degeneres’ hometown?" More recently, he condemned the residents of Dover, PA, because they ousted a school board who favored the ridiculous “intelligent design” theories to be taught in public schools. He said, “I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover. If there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city. And don’t wonder why He hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, don’t ask for His help because he might not be there.”

So, are you taking notes? Apparently right wing fundamentalists have God on retainer to do their bidding should anyone dare oppose their authority. If that’s the case, why would God turn on them and burn the fields & homes of their most faithful followers?

Did you know that Oklahoma has one of the highest divorce rates in the nation? It has massive numbers of unwed pregnancies each year and sky-high numbers of drug addicts & drug-related arrests. Did you know Oklahoma has one of the highest per-capita rates of mental illness? I assert that the link between these societal issues and the rampant fundamentalism there is crystal clear. It sure doesn’t seem like the “holy land” is as great as it’s made out to be. Maybe God is trying to burn everyone out who isn’t a “True Christian?”

You see, I just don’t think so. I think that life happens, good and bad. I think that we do make incredible contributions to what happens to us in life. A lot of the hurt and difficulty we experience in life is a direct result of our choices or the choices of other people. And sometimes things just happen. We get sick. We have vehicle accidents. Hurricanes come. Fires rage. But even some of these natural disasters could possibly be result of lack of care for the environment, the destruction of forests and the over use of fossil fuels. Scientists are saying that we have created the conditions for these disasters. It's called global warming. It's not a violent, abusive God wreaking havoc on His creation.

I think it is horribly abusive to blame disasters and tragedies on God because He dislikes certain people.

I believe the Bible is right when it says that God is a God of love and that if perfect love eliminates fear, anything or anyone that generates fear can NOT be from God or speaking on God’s behalf.

I do not believe in a God that would destroy innocent children. We condemn Muslim extremists for their use of suicide attacks that take civilian lives, including women and children, but we don't speak out against Christian extremists who say God is doing the same thing!

I do not believe in a God that would put demonizing people above having compassion. If you want to know the heart of God, look at Jesus. In my opinion his life was about two things. First, to teach people the truth about God's love and second to challenge religious authority and oppression.

I do not believe in Jerry Falwell’s god. I don’t think Jerry Falwell believes in his god, either. He's a smart man. His espoused beliefs got him where he is. I don't believe for a minute that he actually believes what he preaches.

I think fundamentalism and extremism, whether Christian, Muslim or Jewish, is about power, control and money. They use fear to intimidate and control good-hearted, Godly people. They have warped the message of love & mercy that Jesus died to deliver. And they are doing it for their personal gain and to retain their power.

I believe Robertson and Falwell make God sick when they take His name in vain so publicly.

I think it’s time for a change.

[SolInvictus]

Amen - I completely agree w/ you. "...absolute power corrupts absolutely..."

Extremism, regardless of what side of the religious spectrum, is dangerous & destructive.

[pnggrad79]

Maybe, maybe not! Who knows? I look at stuff like this and am reminded of the what God says, "My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts." When we say we have the mind of God on certain things or that we represent God on issues like homosexuality, abortion, gun control, death penalty, I think it is high arrogance to think we can put God in such a tiny box and think that we know what He thinks. Falwell, Robertson, and all those people, they need prayer more than anything. You are exactly right. I think if Jesus were to walk into any church in America today He would be astounded at how much we have gone off the path of what His message was really all about- love, mercy, acceptance, grace. There is a song that we used to sing in church and it goes, We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit , we one in the Lord, and we pray that our unity will one day be restored, and THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE. They will know we are Christians by our love- not our judgment, not our finger pointing, not our exclusion of those we don't agree with, not our fear, not our prejudice. We show the world we are Christians by our love, and not anything else.

Maybe God is judging them, but maybe God is just allowing it to show his grace, mercy and love on an unloving group of people. Hmm, something to think about.

[keltic63]

First of all, I have to post this http://www.snopes.com/katrina/satire/robertson.asp from Snopes. Robertson didn't blame Katrina on Ellen, but the story is so believable. I fell for it too when I first heard it. However, that doesn't negate Nathan's points.

The real question is where are these evangelical/fundies now? This is a perfect opportunity to cast blame on someone, and the LGBT community seems to be the whipping boy of choice lately. So why are they quiet on this one?

Could it be that Pat Robertson has a large viewing audience in this part of the country and it would be financially imprudent to insult them? Perhaps Robertson et al can't seem to find the connection between the LGBT community, or Pro-Choice groups, or whomever, and this particular disaster.

It's not even about whether we believe God is judging an area, community, or group of people. This is about consistency, or inconsistency. Pat Robertson seems to be at the ready to paint disasters as God's judgment. Pat is unusually quiet on this one. So why is that? Pat we need to hear from you!!!

[NathanATX]

Thanks for the clarification. I'll edit my blog to reflect the statement from "Repent America." They specifically blamed gay people for Katrina.

[NathanATX]

Done. The revised post is on my blog. http://blog.myspace.com/nathanatx