And so of course the natural reponse is to blame these horrible acts on God?
To say that God is punishing innocent children for the wickedness of others?
That's a mighty peculiar vision of God you have.
No. That is NOT what he said and it isn't what he meant. He was telling us to look within so G-d would not look away. We have allowed an awful lot of wrong to be done in our name. THAT is what he meant. If you build a house of cards, it is only natural that it will soon fall. I don't think there is any indication whatever that either he, or I, am *blaming* G-d for anything. But I can see where HE might believe that G-d is just plainly disgusted with what we have done with all that we have been gifted with. Millions or so dead fetuses for starters.
OWK, you know it has been discussed on this forum many a time. Some of the more religious posters have wondered in print how long and how much it would take to piss the Lord off. Any cursory reading of the Bible tells you that the Lord ain't above getting ticked. It also says the Lord is quick to forgive. So whatever evil, there have always been adversaries, and we have always been tested. I am not about to stop believing now.
God allows us to choose our own actions and collectively as a Nation....and as such we enjoy or suffer the consequence of those actions individually and collectively.
God did not cause the planes to fly into the WTC/Pentagon, he is allowing mans natural progression to take place. Otherwise.....why would he have promised to return and save us.