Sick, sick, sick . . .
I'd rather deal with the condescending racism of liberals than the outright bigotry of those I've been unfortunate to encounter on this board.
But thanks for the enlightenment.
I'm a Catholic. Whether I'm a "Christian", I'll leave to God to decide.
What I find "enlightening" is the prevailing "group think" that
a) it would be impossible for God (if He even exists) to be in any way displeased with the behavior of the human race-especially that branch of it located in the USA and
b) even if He was, He'd never attempt to reprove us or rebuke us for our behavior.
If you believe in the accounts found in the Old Testament, especially the account of Sodom and Gomorrah then you have to conclude that God not only judges individuals- he also judges cities and nations.
This is not vengeance. All of God's rebukes are intended to bring us to our senses and bring us back to Him. To bring home to us that sin has consequences, contrary to prevailing wisdom that says we can sin with impunity.
I think it's entirely reasonable to conclude that God is not pleased with our behavior and that we are under a judgement. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this means all Christians believe it's wonderful when a disaster like this comes along. Quite the contrary. It simply means that we don't put God inside a box, nor do we believe that he no longer intervenes in human affairs- sometimes with drastic consequences.
The poster said:
"The more I read, the more I think this hurricane was a cleansing rather than a disaster."
You said:
"All of God's rebukes are intended to bring us to our senses and bring us back to Him. To bring home to us that sin has consequences, contrary to prevailing wisdom that says we can sin with impunity."
I'm willing to bet that the majority of those dead bodies floating around New Orleans are of elderly blacks. Exactly what crime did those dead blacks commit for which their "cleansing" was necessary - other than being poor and black in America? I'm sure they are the ones who feared God the most.
What is the "lesson" that God wants to impart by "cleansing" this segment of the population?
You also said:
"Don't make the mistake of thinking that this means all Christians believe it's wonderful when a disaster like this comes along. "
By no means do I think that any TRUE Christian would believe this disaster is wonderful. But I do think that more than a couple of posters on this website who may claim Christ as their savior do think just that.