Tracy made this spectacular observation last week: “No one is asking the question, ‘why did God allow this [Hurricane Katrina] to happen?’ but rather they’re asking, ‘why did the government allow this to happen?’” (such an amazingly observant wife I have).
After hearing her vocalize that observation I began to take note of the interviews and newscasters as they described this horrendous catastrophe. My conclusion: they’re not ticked off or even questioning God, in fact they’re even calling time and again on people to pray for the victims and their families. I’ve heard it repeatedly on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, “We’re praying and hoping for the victims of this terrible tragedy.” Instead of questioning God or blaming God for the events of Katrina they’re pissed at our government.
There’s a great New York Times article that deals with this very astute observation made by my brilliant wife.
“That such questions about divine providence have been so little pressed in this way testifies to a tremendous modern belief in human freedom and responsibility. On the Gulf Coast, humans fell short, not God; humans and human institutions should be called to account, not God.”
I wonder how much of the aftermath of Katrina, the images and stories will further plunge our nation into one resembling England and Western Europe–a post-Christian society. I wonder how much this will affect our culture and our beliefs in things, I wonder what will become of our society because of Katrina and the shortcomings of people. I think Katrina could possibly be the beginning of a radically new culture, much like 9/11 was just four short years ago.
Related posts:
- all the difference?
- black people ‘loot’, white people ‘find’?
- Innocence Lost?
- poverty…a well-kept secret in the U.S.
- the religious right
