When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Thursday, September 08, 2005
A letter in the Hartford Courant today shocks my sensibilities - a woman writes that the suffering in Louisiana -- New Orleans specifically -- is a punishment from God. (she is apparently not the only one who believes this, and I don't mean to pick on her in particular, but I would like to give those who agree with her some things to consider.)
Lorraine G. Miller of Bristol, Connecticut, writes, in part:
The real mystery is how those religionists know, who like to say various bad things are punishments of god, how do they distinguish between natural disasters and punishments. And how do they determine what is being punished? And how do they explain god's extreme inefficiency in these punishments?
I mean,if a swarm of sinners was about to descend on New Orleans, why not down their planes or wash out their highways, or cause massive pileups as they travel? Why smack the residents who are there all year around, and could be smacked at any time, for instance when they fail to pay their taxes, or go through red lights?
And if it's the New Orleans residents god is really after, why let the rich escape and smack the poor? It wasn't me who said, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God"
Ms. Miller adds in her letter, "There are many good people and other places suffering the loss, so we should pray for them and help them."
Does she imagine that God will heedlessly strike down the innocent, and only if Ms. Miller prays for them will God raise them up and restore them? What kind of god acts like that?
Actually, that sounds more like a politician.
If she wants to follow the Christian way, she should be praying for and helping the sinners, not judging them.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
A chance to practice compassion
A letter in the Hartford Courant today shocks my sensibilities - a woman writes that the suffering in Louisiana -- New Orleans specifically -- is a punishment from God. (she is apparently not the only one who believes this, and I don't mean to pick on her in particular, but I would like to give those who agree with her some things to consider.)
Lorraine G. Miller of Bristol, Connecticut, writes, in part:
... New Orleans has sunk so low on morals that it is no mystery that it lies like a bowl of putrid water today. In the past, I have watched in disgust as TV reported on the debauchery of Mardi Gras celebrations of drunnkenness, drugs and sex.
This year, 'Southern Decadence' was set for Aug. 31 through Sept 5. It has a history of filling the city with homosexuals who engage in sex acts in putble places. Massive flooding and damage hit just the city days before this event was to begin.
God has stood it long enough, and that city has been judged....
The real mystery is how those religionists know, who like to say various bad things are punishments of god, how do they distinguish between natural disasters and punishments. And how do they determine what is being punished? And how do they explain god's extreme inefficiency in these punishments?
I mean,if a swarm of sinners was about to descend on New Orleans, why not down their planes or wash out their highways, or cause massive pileups as they travel? Why smack the residents who are there all year around, and could be smacked at any time, for instance when they fail to pay their taxes, or go through red lights?
And if it's the New Orleans residents god is really after, why let the rich escape and smack the poor? It wasn't me who said, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God"
Ms. Miller adds in her letter, "There are many good people and other places suffering the loss, so we should pray for them and help them."
Does she imagine that God will heedlessly strike down the innocent, and only if Ms. Miller prays for them will God raise them up and restore them? What kind of god acts like that?
Actually, that sounds more like a politician.
If she wants to follow the Christian way, she should be praying for and helping the sinners, not judging them.
Palema
6:03 PM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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