Mysterious Ways... Of Thinking

While most of the world is looking to provide aid to the island of Haiti after a powerful earthquake struck earlier in the week, some are already looking for answers as to why this tragic event had to occur. Many point to the fact that scientists had predicted that an earthquake of magnitude up to 7.2 on the Richter scale could strike the island at any times. Within a few years of that prediction it's sad to say that it came true. That's one explanation for why things happened that way on the tiny island nation but others have a 'different' view of things. Televangelist Pat Robertson appeared on television shortly after the rescue efforts in Haiti began and told his viewers that this tragedy was a result of Haitians having made a 'pact with the devil' during their rebellion against the French in the 18th Century.

Now I believe the expression that "God works in mysterious ways" but do religious leaders like Robertson truly believe that it's God's will to have such devastation visited upon the people of Haiti? Roberston's claim is based on reports from around 1791 in which Haitians declared that they swore allegiance to the devil if he promised them victory over the French colonists. Robertson backs his claim by pointing out that ever since then, the Dominican Republic (which is also shares the island) has been spared the problems that Haiti seems to have had since its becoming an independent nation. But regardless, isn't it a bit cheap to 'hit' a country when it's down? To put it in perspective, what would the reaction of our nation have been if North Korea declared that the attacks were divine retribution on our nation for not following the will of God.

Folks like Robertson and Rush Limbaugh who quickly called upon their fans to refrain from sending donations to help Haiti seem to view things far differently for their own reasons. It's a sad thing to see. It makes me proud when I see rescue workers from not only our country but others as well, rushing to lend assistance in a time of need. After the tsunami in Indonesia several years ago and now in Haiti, it cannot be denied that the US responds quickly and wholeheartedly. To me that's a sign of positiveness that should be fostered rather than viewing it as something that is based on political agenda or ideology. Limbaugh proclaimed that the US had already provided ample assistance to Haiti in the past and there was no need to provide more. Hopefully for Limbaugh then the doctor's at his hospital won't take the same view when he goes there the next time he has chest pains.

Now anyone who speaks out again Robertson or seeks to censure him is likely to also face criticism from some Christian groups who feel that their religion has been marginalized in this era of political correctness. Perhaps that's true to an extent. If we look at how commercialized some (originally) religious holidays have become it's no surprise that they feel that way. However, I think what raises people's ires is not the fact that it's a Christian speaking but the condescending way in which they will often talk about other religions. Recently when Britt Hume made a statement to the effect that Tiger Woods should consider turning from Buddhism to Christianity due to the fact that Christianity allows for forgiveness while Buddhism doesn't led many to raise a stink.

Perhaps there is salvation for Tiger Woods or the people of Haiti by turning to God and believing that He is on their side and is the answer to salvation. But then I would ask these same advocates to consider that German soldiers during World War I and World War II had "Gott mit uns" (or "God is with us") stamped on their belt buckles. I don't believe this was based on false faith or pacts with the Devil or any other explination. If that was the case and it was based on a true religious belief then how does that explain or justify the Holocaust? How does it explain that they lost the war? If God was with them then who was with the Allies? Did they not also have faith in God to see them through to victory? God works in mysterious ways and possibly even more mysterious than most religious leaders could ever understand. But I don't think God, no matter how vengeful He may be, would advocate 'kicking' a country when it's down.