GOD LOSES

While warning the citizens of Louisiana about the impending hit by hurricane Katrina, the Governor said, "so far we've been blessed" (because the hurricanes have hit elsewhere). She went on to mention praying that Katrina is miraculously diverted; and by implication that it hits somewhere else. I couldn't help wondering what the citizens of  "elsewhere" will think of God after the hurricane wipes out their lives.

Every time President Bush concludes his speeches with "may God continue to bless America", I am bothered by a similar question. If God is blessing America, is God cursing the countries of Africa? It is widely reported that the president and his staff begin their meetings with prayer. What does that say to believers about the advice God gives as we watch the war in Iraq?

When I hear crash survivors proclaim that God must have a special mission for them, I imagine the anguish in the minds of the victims as they ask why God didn't consider them special. Each time a sports celebrity credits his "lord and savoir" for a victory, another has to be blaming God for a defeat.

What a hell of a bind we put  God in. God can't win. Every time we put God in the position of choosing  between us, God loses credibility. Indeed, God can not be, bound in our "religious thread". (see poem)

Comments

[Kriswest]

You made a point that I happen to agree with. I happen to be one of Katrina's victims and I can tell you that God had nothing to do with it. Life is what is known as a crapshoot. Roll the die and if you are lucky your good numbers come up. You can put the odds in your favor by paying attention to the world around you. Putting faith in God when you could have protected yourself or others is pretty much a guarantee that your bad number is coming up. If God does exist I think God wants us to learn lessons, not rely on him.

People died in Katrina because they had faith their God would protect them, now they reside in Davy's locker. Others died because they had nowhere to go or transportation to leave, or would not divide their family. We fall into that last group. We got lucky and we also live where water would not flood us.
Those that remained behind all prayed for God's intervention. God if, god helped could only possibly help those who helped themselves. With one single exception. Two elderly folks that I know should have died they should have died others around them did. they lived, she is cannot swim. he can but both are in their 80s. they survived because somehow they found something a floating room with a bed to cling to. In such devastation where the wind and storm surge destroyed all buildings and killed all people. These two lovely humans survived, was it Luck? I don't know I do know that they are the most gentlest and kindest of Christians. They don't just believe in God and Jesus they know that God and Jesus are. This one incedent of our dear friends survivng gives me pause. Against all the odds These two weak old people survived when younger stronger healthier people died. Why? ah the great divide.

[Intelitary Milligence]

You may have heard this one, it came up in church a few years ago.

A bishop was stuck in a storm. A family with a limousine came to pick him up. He declined and said God would save him. As the water began to rise a cruise liner came by to pick him up. Again he chose to stay and wait for God. Hours later the water had forced him to climb up to the roof of a house. A news chopper stopped by to pick him up. He thanked the pilot but said he already had arranged for a rescue. Ultimately he drowned. When he met God he asked why He did not save him. God turned to him and said, "I sent you a limo, a cruise liner, and a news chopper. What else did you want?"

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I have heard it. I loved it then and I love it now. Thanks. Doug.E.Barr