New Orleans City Council President: "Maybe God's Going To Cleanse Us"

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | John-Henry Westen

[LifeSite News]

NEW ORLEANS, September 1, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The popular adage, "there are no atheists in the trenches" sums up the truth that in times of disaster it is natural for people to turn to God, for help and also for an explanation. The devastation wrought by hurricane Katrina has brought that reality home to the United States, particularly in the affected regions.

. . . New Orleans City Council President Oliver Thomas after witnessing the horrors first hand and hearing talk of Sodom and Gomorrah commented, "Maybe God's going to cleanse us."

The theme of cleansing or purification has become a frequently discussed topic as the tragedy in the affected states unfolds. European papers have suggested that Katrina was the punishment the US received for failing to sign onto the Kyoto accord, Islamic militants have rejoiced that "private" Katrina has joined in the holy war against the U.S. for - among other things - the Iraq war. Some have even suggested that the hurricane was God's punishment on the U.S. for cooperating in the removal of Jews from the Gaza strip.

However, beyond these speculations is a more general acknowledgement that New Orleans, the epicentre of the disaster, was a "sin city" which harboured few rivals. The New Orleans "southern decadence" festival which was to take place Labour Day weekend, is described by a French Quarter tourism site as "sort of like a gayer version of Mardi Gras" which is "most famous (or infamous) for the displays of naked flesh which characterize the event," with "public displays of sexuality . . . pretty much everywhere you look."

[texpat72]

The wise man built his house upon the rock.

[RavenATB]

"Your God has bad aim, it appears."

I don't profess to know the mind of God.

However, to suggest that if God struck at New Orleans and the casinos of MS that all hurricanes must be God's attack against someone is rather tortured logic.

[Ichneumon]

Why would God have to kill so many innocents?

God has lousy aim?

[lolhelp]

You mean that bunch that dosen't look at each other as they sneak out of the liquor store and the local "red light" house, but by gosh they sure show up all puffed up and self righteous, every time the church doors open?

[Ichneumon]

Heh -- I posted my #43 before I saw your post. TGM I guess.

[SolarisRocks]

One could also twist the Bible enought to 'prove' that it is a sin to go by anything other than your birth name...

[rudy45]

In what way?

[sinkspur]

You mean that bunch that dosen't look at each other as they sneak out of the liquor store and the local "red light" house, but by gosh they sure show up all puffed up and self righteous, every time the church doors open?

Yep. That very bunch.

[The Cuban]

You people are retards. God promised never to destroy bt flooding again after the Great Flood. Please, I really think God has greater things to worry about than destroying helpless poor black people.

[old-ager]

> God got a 2fer with Katrina. New Orleans (sin city) and the Casino Coast of Mississippi(Las Vegas of the south).

Agreed that homosexual practice is a sin, but:

Luke 18
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[a] himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

[bootslee]

Sounds similar to what Pharoah said to Moses.

[bootslee]

This "God is punishing innocent people because gays like to party" stuff is a distortion of who God is. I think God's attitude at this point is that none of us are innoncent.

[diverteach]

I sure hope you're NOT insinuating that from my previous post that I'm elevating myself as "self rightious" and "looking down" on others.

[mysonsfuture]

Exactly, only a black democrat could get away with discussing God's cleansing of New Orleans without being ripped to shreds by the media elite. Anyone else would have been "crucified" by the atheistic, socialistic, mainstream media. But the dems say nothing because they "need" 90% of the minority vote to stay in power. I can't wait for the day the democratic party eats its own as thier pollsters figure out that to maintain the 90% level, will likey mean a retreat from Roe v.Wade. That will be amusing to watch and that day is coming sooner rather than later.

[newbeliever]

I have been thinking much about this in the last few days.

1st. Nobody is innocent of sin.

2nd. If God did not create the hurricane then He is not omnipotent.

We don't have to understand it, but it would not be the first time. The flood, Sodom and Gomorrah among others. Romans, Ephesians and other books as well refer to times such as this.

Imagine the look the the world is getting of decadence as the pack of wild rats run from place to place wreaking havoc and living in their swoller, trying to protect and preserve it even.

The sinful world is a dreadful place and people need to repent and turn from their evil ways or suffer the wrath.

Romans tells us that God causes ALL things to work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. The Tsunami, Islam, Katrina all give us a look at the power of God and therefore no one is with excuse for not recognizing the existence and omnipotence of God. I mean come on, look at the sacrifice he made. Do you not think He created the plan of death of Christ? you don't think he planned Katrina?

I know it sounds bizarre but I don't see how it could have been otherwise.

[tiamat]

diverteach wrote:
God got a 2fer with Katrina. New Orleans (sin city) and the Casino Coast of Mississippi(Las Vegas of the south).

---

That did it.

Rampant racism and anti-Semetism

(and some folks here not even bothering to TRY to hide it anymore)

"Holier Than Thous" who think they are on God's A List

Terri Schiavo and the resulting hysteria.

The "Nuke Meccah NOW" Bunch

The Gay-Bashers

It's vile and disgusting and I'm done with it.




To the folks on the UT and in the Canteen, it's been fun.

Some of you know how to get in touch.

Feel free, anytime.


Mr. Robsinson, Please Nuke my account.

[Darksheare]

Naah.
Don't get yourself nuked.
I know about people saying stupid stuff.
Been reading alot of it today.


Just hang out in the UT, and relax some.
As you once said to me, "Ignore 'em!"
See you 'back at the barn'.

[rdb3]

I can't lie. I fully understand your sentiment. I truly do.

[Americanwolf]

Tiamat,

I understand your frustration... I don't alway appricate what gets printed out her either... it is one of the prices though of free speech... As much as we have right to say what we feel..

Others have that right to... unfortunatly it can be harsh derogotory and plain wrong. I won't fault you for leaving at times the attitude around here has felt untenable.

Please remember those that you hear at times are the vocal minority.

on that note It has been a pleasure to have met you and talk to you, and if you do come back through at a future time just shout and say hi.

[Ken H]

Didn't the French Quarter fare better than most of NO, due to its higher elevation?