[joyful1]

Or maybe God has other plans that we cannot see. It is bold and self centered to presume you know the plans of God. He sometimes does things for other reasons. If we live by His laws, and follow his will, we are protected. However, if you presume to know why He does what he does, you may find you don't know what you are talking about. As it was stated after 9/11, where was God? God caused the traffic jam that make 3000 people late, He made alarm clocks silent and keys be locked in cars. There were more people who were not in that building than were killed. He did that. Yes, America is not the best place, but remember Lot could not find 10 good people. There are tons more than that here. None of this is America's fault. Are you saying that back in the 40's when we had life more to God's liking, there was no disasters? Explain Pearl Harbor....

Oh, c'mon, its not that complex.

God couldn't make it more clear. God has repeatedly told us through the prophets that if humans will serve Him and follow His commandments (at least keep a civilized level of decency and morality), He will bless and protect. If we do not serve Him and follow His ways, we will be punished.

Why is it so darn difficult to understand that?

[AppyPappy]

Have you been checked for rabies?

[DJ Frisat]

"God has repeatedly told us through the prophets that if humans will serve Him and follow His commandments (at least keep a civilized level of decency and morality), He will bless and protect."

Excuse me, but it seems like you're backtracking a bit from your previous (one might say, ludicrous) chest-thumping. They're commandments, not tentative suggestions. I haven't seen anything about "a civilized level" in my readings of the Bible...

Personally, I think if God were serious about punishing evildoing nations, you'd see a heckuva lot of lightning rods in the Gulf region, not His swatting from the skies a shuttle with 7 people aboard.

Sheesh.

[RJCogburn]

Or maybe God has other plans that we cannot see.

That is simply an idiotic statement intended to be unarguable in its vagueness.

[oceanperch]

Mary followed Gods' plan but she sufferred a terrible loss seing her son tortured and murdered.

Suffering I have learned throughout my life can happen to the best of us and I still praise God for my life I do not rant about punishment I love him regardless of my human sufferings.

I think joyful1 you are only perceiving the word of God in a limited veiw try multi faceted like a diamond and you will grow to appreciate all of Gods' glory.

[lucysmom]

God couldn't make it more clear. God has repeatedly told us through the prophets that if humans will serve Him and follow His commandments (at least keep a civilized level of decency and morality), He will bless and protect. If we do not serve Him and follow His ways, we will be punished.

The Bible also says that God has made the rain fall on both the good and evil. The protection we are promised is everlasting life and spiritual protection, not a trouble free life here on earth.

How would you account for the beheading of John the Baptist, the stoning of Stephen, etc, etc.?

[netmilsmom]

Again, explain Pearl Harbor.
There are more good people here. You can think what you like but God would not blow up good people just to prove you right.