2007-10-24 15:25:35 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Did you hear about the thousands of Christian who had been forced to leave and go to the mountains so they could celebrate the birth of their Lord and Savior, who then returned to see all the devastation. God obviously protected those people.
2007-10-24 15:35:30 · answer #1 · answered by cbmultiplechoice 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tsumani was caused by an earthquake. What did God have to do with it? Such natural forces existed on earth long before men were created and settled into civilizations. Those who believe that God punishes people through natural catastrophes believe in a very wrathful and unforgiving God. I am sure God was mourning the loss of so many of his children. God takes no pleasure in death nor destruction.
VB8
2007-10-24 15:30:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It means there was a whopping big earthquake beneath the sea, and a lot of people couldn't get out of the way in time.
Jesus Christ challenged the idea of misfortune always being a sign of punishment in Luke 13:1-4. In discussing two disasters (one man-made, one apparantly an accident) Jesus asked His listeners point-blank if they thought that the people who died in these events were "worse sinners" than the people around them, and answers His own question with a resounding "NO!". Disasters happen, and people die. It is our job to make sure we are ready for death no matter what.
Another, much longer, discussion of evil events being "deserved" comes from the entire Book of Job in the Old Testament. Job is introduced as a God-fearing, righteous man in the beginning, who is singled out for disaster as a sort of "test", both of his faith and God's faith in Job.
It would seem to be the decided opinion of the Biblical authors, that bad things happen to all sorts of people: good and bad.
Maybe it would just make it TOO EASY to believe in God, if the Godly people always prospered, and the unbelievers had all the problems....I just don't know.
2007-10-24 15:39:30 · answer #3 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's nothing. The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed 20-40 million. Of course, these are natural forces in a natural universe. Earthquakes cause tsunamis not Gods. And viruses cause pandemics. Again no gods involved.
Basically, god doesn't do any of the bad stuff, or any of the good stuff, or really, any of the stuff.
2007-10-24 15:28:38 · answer #4 · answered by The Bog Nug 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not at all! God’s judgments as described in the Bible are quite different from natural disasters. For one thing, God is selective; he reads the hearts of individuals and destroys only those he deems wicked. (Genesis 18:23-32) Furthermore, God sends warnings first, thereby giving the righteous opportunity to escape.
Natural disasters, on the other hand, strike with little or no warning, and they kill and maim indiscriminately. To some extent, mankind has made such disasters worse by damaging the natural environment and by building in areas prone to earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather.
2007-10-24 15:31:48 · answer #5 · answered by ldybugg93 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. As God says in the Qur'an:
In the Name of God, The Beneficent, the Merciful
Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any soul know what it is that it will earn on the morrow: Nor does any soul know in what land it will die in. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things).
- Qur'an [31:34]
Key phrase here: "Nor does any soul know in what land it will die in."
We could be anywhere, at anytime, and death can still come to us.
"Wherever ye are, death will find you out, even if ye are in towers built up strong and high!" If some good befalls them, they say, "This is from Allah.; but if evil, they say, "This is from thee" (O Prophet). Say: "All things are from Allah." But what hath come to these people, that they fail to understand a single fact?
- Qur'an [4:78]
2007-10-24 15:37:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Souls always make choices.
No punishment!
Read the research of Dr. Michael Newton in 'Journey of Souls' and 'Destiny of Souls'. Inteview with Author link below.
2007-10-24 15:33:41 · answer #7 · answered by m4moms 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it means God allows the laws of nature to occur. Also, in times of natural disaster people are warned to get out! They refuse, they die. Maybe that IS their sign from above.
2007-10-24 15:36:17 · answer #8 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might as well ask if the 100,000 people that were killed in the Hiroshima bombing were being punished for being Buddhist.
2007-10-24 22:12:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
He was not punishing them. Pray to build houses where God tells you too in the beginning. That is wisdom.
2007-10-24 15:29:35 · answer #10 · answered by sisterzeal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋