Why would God allow the hurricane to hit?

[siamesecat]

Originally Posted by Zachary

God doesn't make these things happen. Weather is nature and happens regardless of where humans decide to settle and build. 9-11 was human "free will" all the way. My question isn't "Why didn't God stop these things from happening" it's "Why do people blame God for everything bad and not give thanks for everything good?"

Why do people thank god for everything good but then insist it was he who caused anything bad? Thats another reason I see religion as something people created in part to comfort themselves and have trouble believing in it. Whenever someone survives are hurricane its "gods miracle" but oh no, god couldnt cause the hurricane. It just doesnt make sense to me.

[Thekla]

Originally Posted by Bobby A. Greene

God removed Sodom & Gomorahh didn't he?

I think you missed the point of that story. The last time someone mentioned Sodom and Gomorrah, I wrote this.

"In Genesis 18, God had a conversation with Abraham where God expressed his intent to level Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham argued with the Lord and asked him if he would "sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people within it?" The Lord replied that if there were 50 innocents, He wouldn't do it. And Abraham continued to talk Him down in numbers until they got down to 10.

I always believed that it wasn't the number that was important or the fact that S & G was eventually leveled, but the idea that one innocent life had such value that the evil of the others could never outweigh that life. I always saw this as a story of the value of the good and innocent rather than a story of punishment for evil.

I guess it's a matter of how you approach it; like I said, I never saw that as a story of punishment. The ultimate demise of S&G is only a line or two whereas God's conversation (and an interesting change of mind) lasts for many, many lines."

[contemplative]

Originally Posted by Bobby A. Greene

God removed Sodom & Gomorahh didn't he?

Shhhhh! There is a group of 'progessive' ( they also call themselves anti- fundamentalist) Catholics on these forums who might try to lynch you for saying that.

[CarolAnnSFO]

Originally Posted by Thekla

I always believed that it wasn't the number that was important or the fact that S & G was eventually leveled, but the idea that one innocent life had such value that the evil of the others could never outweigh that life. I always saw this as a story of the value of the good and innocent rather than a story of punishment for evil.

That point always seems to get lost (or be ignored), doesn't it? Funny, that.

Originally Posted by contemplative

Shhhhh! There is a group of 'progessive' ( they also call themselves anti- fundamentalist) Catholics on these forums who might try to lynch you for saying that.

Refusing to dabble in "ambush theology" doesn't make one either a "progressive", an "anti-fundamentalist", or a lyncher. We seem to have a little ad hominem thing going here.

Threads on this topic always seem to get mired down in the OT (S&G, Lot, etc.) Where is Jesus in all this? Didn't God give us Jesus to save us from our sins? Did he not give the power to bind and loose sins to the Apostles and their spiritual descendants? Something about a New Covenant, I think.


Crazy Internet Junkies Society
Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

[contemplative]

Originally Posted by godsent

I dnt get why god would allow the big hurracaine katrina to hit and cause so much damage?...couldnt he have stopped it from happening?


What reason is there for it happening?

For thousands and thousands of years the earth has been ploughed and sown, human beings have trampled it and excavated it for minerals, the rain has beaten on it, the snow has covered it, the sun has scorched it. And yet the earth has remained such as it is, and its fruits have remained the same too.

Nor has the sea changed by growing either smaller or large, despite its water evaporating and them falling again as rain, despite the rivers opening into it from every direction.

It is the same with the air. It is not used up, although so many human beings and animals are continually breathing it, despite all the light and heat that are always permeating it.

The fact is that God is at work in the world, the same God who infuses into creation the energy needed for it to continue stable throughout all time.

To God then let us raise a hymn of praise with all our strength. Let us glorify God who made the world and governs it without ceasing.

And through the things that are seen let us be led towards the things that are not seen. To do this there is no need to travel. Only faith is needed, because only through faith can we see him.

Theodoret (394-460) From the cure of Pagan Diseases

[Steve O'Brien]

Originally Posted by starrs0

Could our Nation's recent troubles of rising fuel costs, storms, wars..etc. be a chastisment from God meant to humble us so we'll turn back to him?

Yes. Just think about the message of Our Lady of Fatima. One of the themes of this message is that war is a punishment for sin.

Consider, too, the words of Our Lord about the collapse of the tower at Siloam:

"At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, 'Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!'" (Lk 13:1-5; 1986 NAB)

Or read the whole 28th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy.

Contemporary Catholic homilists don't mention these references, but they exist and can't be explained away. True, they must be correctly interpreted--please note Our Lord's caveat--but they shouldn't be ignored. They reflect truths of the Faith.

You may also wish to check the new catechism's treatment of temporal punishment (sections 1472-1473).

Keep and spread the Faith.

[romano]

Originally Posted by estesbob

Micheal:

I drive and SUV. I live in the Mountains of Colorado. we will have our first snow in the next month or so. I ask you to consider the possiblitiy that a vehicle that may be a fad in california may very well be a necessity when one lives in the Mountains.

So how did you survive before SUVs came along?

[FiremanFrank]

starrs0

Could our Nations recent troubles of rising fuel costs, storms, wars..ect be a Chastisment from God meant to humble us so we'll turn back to him?

While only God knows for sure if this is true ....

It sure as HE** looks like that this might be the case.

Now I have a hunch people, and it is only that - a "hunch".

But if my thoughts are any where near being correct on this one:

Take your left hands people .... and press them squarely against your right hands - and offer God prayers, supplications and personal sacrifices.

Because the times my friends ... they are a changing.

[FiremanFrank]

Michael WelterWell

the rising gas prices are a direct result of our greed for gasoline. Over the last 10 years, our consumption of gasoline has skyrocketed, thanks to the SUV fad.

Baloney.

Cars are more fuel efficient now than they've been at any other time in history.

Period.

Some of the SUV's and High Peformance cars of today have better gas mileage than the grossly inefficient "econo" cars of the 60's and 70's.

[FiremanFrank]

Steve O'Brien

Consider, too, the words of Our Lord about the collapse of the tower at Siloam:

"At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, 'Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!'" (Lk 13:1-5; 1986 NAB)

Everyone here PLEASE take not of the above Scripture passage.

And then read it again,

and again,

and again.

(nice wrok Steve)

[CindyGia]

Thekla,

I think it's sad that people refuse to understand that God is the "mover and shaker" of everything that happens. EVERYTHING that happens is GOD'S WILL!!

When disasters strike God is not sitting in Heaven weeping. What He is weeping over is the terrible sinning that is taking place after His will has been carried out. He is "sifting" people like wheat right now....Jesus said "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat," (Luke 22:31). God's infinite wisdom, love and mercy bring about changes in the world for the better. Even though they seem bleek now, God knows exactly what He is doing. The elements and the earth belong to God! Which is why God never gave dominion over these things to man. He gave man dominion over the creatures of land air and sea, but not over the mysteries that shroud the earth. Those remain His to rule over the hearts of men and to rid the earth of the unjust and evil. Remember, God is the King of Hearts! And God "moves" people to carry out His will. Read "Divine Mercy of My Soul" the diary of St. Faustina.

The United States is becoming a very evil country with pornography out of control, abortion (how many millions of children have been murdered by their own mothers?), selfishness, pride, jealousy, lust of the flesh, divorce, hedonism, murder, ..I could go on and on. We once were a country that blessed God, and in turn, we were protected by God. But now we want to push God out of our lives and out of the country. By disasters such as this, the hand of God, God is trying to simply bring people back to Him. Because people suddenly begin to pray and ask God for help and forgiveness.

No, it's not a sad thing to think and know that God knows exactly what He is doing. No matter what happens, I will trust God and know that it is His will leading people to live better lives. Through disasters and suffering, people always become more loving and giving, humble and selfless. This is the heart of our Lord Jesus as He calls us to "follow Him" through suffering and whatever God's will for their lives are. Just as Jesus lived His life according to God's will which lead Him to a horrible death on the cross, so must we live our lives according to God's will, whether it be through hurricanes, death, suffering, diseases, etc. It's all in God's infinite plan for our own salvation. We alll must trust in Him no matter what happens. Knowing that God is in the midst of ALL THAT HAPPENS, I am not afraid, because it is His Will.

I love you most Heavenly Father and I bless you for all that comes and for all that happens because you have loved us from eternity and have counted every hair on our heads. Who can be against me, if God is with me? Amen.

I offer my daily communions for the victims of this disaster knowing that in God's time, all will be well again because "Jesus, I trust in you"!

[The Eurasian]

Why? Because for years, Catholics and other Christians in New Orleans allowed Madi Gras.

[felra]

Originally Posted by starrs0
Could our Nations recent troubles of rising fuel costs, storms, wars..ect be a Chastisment from God meant to humble us so we'll turn back to him?

Originally Posted by Nicole

NO

Yes, of course if could be the way that God is choosing to extend His grace and mercy to individuals and our nation as a whole. I wonder why some folks have such a difficult time in accepting how God can and does work through natural disaster and wordly events for His greater loving purpose and the salvation for souls. It can be a great mercy of God to allow events to occur to get our attention and return back to Him in humility and repentance. I will not pretend to determine the reason why (judgement, chastisement, ...). Perhaps the greater test is how those not directly affected responsd in prayers, deeds and support (and attitudes).

[CindyGia]

The Eurisian said it all! Can't get more point blank that that! Bravo!

If people still refuse to believe that God has anything to do with this, or any other disaster - read "Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence" and learn something about the Omnipotent Power and Will of God!!!!!.

[norbert]

Originally Posted by CindyGia

Thekla,

I think it's sad that people refuse to understand that God is the "mover and shaker" of everything that happens. EVERYTHING that happens is GOD'S WILL!!

When disasters strike God is not sitting in Heaven weeping. What He is weeping over is the terrible sinning that is taking place after His will has been carried out. He is "sifting" people like wheat right now....Jesus said "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat," (Luke 22:31). God's infinite wisdom, love and mercy bring about changes in the world for the better. Even though they seem bleek now, God knows exactly what He is doing. The elements and the earth belong to God! Which is why God never gave dominion over these things to man. He gave man dominion over the creatures of land air and sea, but not over the mysteries that shroud the earth. Those remain His to rule over the hearts of men and to rid the earth of the unjust and evil. Remember, God is the King of Hearts! And God "moves" people to carry out His will. Read "Divine Mercy of My Soul" the diary of St. Faustina.

The United States is becoming a very evil country with pornography out of control, abortion (how many millions of children have been murdered by their own mothers?), selfishness, pride, jealousy, lust of the flesh, divorce, hedonism, murder, ..I could go on and on. We once were a country that blessed God, and in turn, we were protected by God. But now we want to push God out of our lives and out of the country. By disasters such as this, the hand of God, God is trying to simply bring people back to Him. Because people suddenly begin to pray and ask God for help and forgiveness.

No, it's not a sad thing to think and know that God knows exactly what He is doing. No matter what happens, I will trust God and know that it is His will leading people to live better lives. Through disasters and suffering, people always become more loving and giving, humble and selfless. This is the heart of our Lord Jesus as He calls us to "follow Him" through suffering and whatever God's will for their lives are. Just as Jesus lived His life according to God's will which lead Him to a horrible death on the cross, so must we live our lives according to God's will, whether it be through hurricanes, death, suffering, diseases, etc. It's all in God's infinite plan for our own salvation. We alll must trust in Him no matter what happens. Knowing that God is in the midst of ALL THAT HAPPENS, I am not afraid, because it is His Will.

I love you most Heavenly Father and I bless you for all that comes and for all that happens because you have loved us from eternity and have counted every hair on our heads. Who can be against me, if God is with me? Amen.

I offer my daily communions for the victims of this disaster knowing that in God's time, all will be well again because "Jesus, I trust in you"!

I sure hope this wasn't God's will. I don't have much interest in a God who would deliberately choose to smite the poor black people of New Orleans.