Actually, I *DID* interpret that disaster as a message from God to our Judeao Christian culture. A bit of a wake-up call that we were not as high and mighty and that America had better be very careful--our beloved President had better be very careful about how he treats Israel.
And just this morning I read how he's all set to demand that Israel give up virtually all of the West Bank.
Sobering, to me.
well, in that case - and I mean this as gently as possible - I'm not sure we're even able to frame this discussion in any kind of constructive manner.
my original comments were in response to someone who insulted another FReeper who was discouraged by the religious overtones of other threads, specifically to express my disgust at anyone who thought this quake was a message to Muslims.
while further analogies have been discussed, my point is that such assertions are inappropriate, disrespectful, and absurd. and believe me, I don't go out of my way to be "tolerant". in this case, people are people, and an awful lot of truly innocent people died. I find it hard to interpret the death of seven year old girls, who have done nothing in their life to hurt anyone, as some kind of message from god.
again, not (necessarily) responding to all of YOUR views here, just the ones I, and others, left other threads to get away from. my comments apply to anyone who would encourage such talk. ymmv.