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 A flood survivor is surrounded by debris on the Philippine island of Leyte.
November 11th, 2013
11:16 AM ET
Where was God in the Philippines?By Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Co-editor [twitter-follow screen_name='BurkeCNN'] (CNN) - The disasters are always different and often devastating. But the questions they raise are hauntingly familiar. In the days since Super Typhoon Haiyan swept through the Philippines on Thursday, survivors are frantically searching for lost family members and international aid groups are springing into action. Officials say the death toll may rise to 10,000 in the heavily Catholic country. Meanwhile, many people are asking: How should we make sense of such senseless death and destruction? Was God in the whirlwind itself, as the Bible hints, or present only in the aftermath, as people mobilize to provide food, water and shelter? These questions may not be new, but we keep asking them, perhaps because the answers remain so elusive. For many Americans, a paradox sits at the heart of their thinking about natural disasters. According to a survey taken after 2011's earthquake and tsunami in Japan, most Americans (56%) believe that God is control of everything. But more Americans blame hurricanes, earthquakes and other storms on global warming (58%) than on an angry and punishing deity (38%), according to a 2011 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute. “These kind of questions about God being in control and there simultaneously being suffering are the kind of things that keep seminarians up at night," institute CEO Robert P. Jones said in 2011. "They’re thorny theological issues." READ: Typhoon Haiyan: Survivors in Philippines face grim struggle as death toll rises The Bible's Psalm 107 says that “For (God) commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves thereof. ... He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground." But, as the poll shows, most Americans have moved past the idea that God causes natural disasters, wrote Stephen Prothero, a frequent CNN contributor, in a 2011 column. "When it comes to earthquakes and hurricanes, our authorities are geologists and meteorologists," Prothero said as he rode out Hurricane Irene on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. "Most of us interpret these events not through the rumblings of the biblical prophet Jeremiah or the poetry of the Book of Revelation but through the scientific truths of air pressure and tectonic plates." For atheists, storms like Haiyan are proof that God doesn't exist, author and activist Sam Harris said. "Either God can do nothing to stop catastrophes like this, or he doesn’t care to, or he doesn’t exist. God is either impotent, evil or imaginary," Harris said after Japan's tsunami. "Take your pick, and choose wisely." God may or may not be in withering storms, but many religious leaders say they sense a divine presence in the aftermath, as people across the world mobilize to lend a hand. Rabbi Harold Kushner is one of the most famous names in the realm of theodicy, a branch of theology that tries to explain the unexplainable: why a good God would allow bad things to happen. After Japan's tsunami, Kushner called nature "an equal-opportunity destroyer," making no distinctions between sinners and saints. But Kushner, author of the bestselling book "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," said he sees God's hand in the resilience of people whose lives have been destroyed and in the "goodness and generosity" of strangers who donate and pray for the survivors. READ: How to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan That still leaves a tricky question, though: Why do humans suffer, sometimes terribly, in the first place? There's no good answer, says the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and best-selling author. "Each person has to come to grips with that," Martin said. "It’s not as if some magic answer can be found. But the idea of God suffering along with us can be very helpful." Muslims, on the other hand, see stormy trials as tests from God, said Sayyid Syeed, national director of the Islamic Society of North America’s Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances. "Muslims believe that God tests those he loves, and these tragedies also serve as a reminder to the rest of us to remain grateful to God for all our blessings and cognizant that we must support those in need," Syeed said. Vietnamese Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, whose native country remains in Haiyan's path, said such storms remind us that our lives are impermanent and the importance of treasuring each moment. "This is the best that we can do for those who have died: We can live in such a way that they can feel they are continuing to live in us, more mindfully, more profoundly, more beautifully, tasting every minute of life available to us, for them," Hanh said. Stephen Prothero, Jessica Ravitz and Eric Marrapodi contributed to this report. soundoff (3,827 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I believe that everything God does he does because he loves his children and wants what's best for them. People dying in a typhoon may seem bad from our limited perspective, but God is just and the innocent who die will be received into heaven while those who survive will become stronger from the hardship. Opposition is a necessary part of this brief mortal life, and God allows us to endure it because it will help us to learn and grow and be better prepared for the divine inheritance he has waiting for the faithful.
It's really not that hard of a concept to understand when you think about it.
Oh that church, the one otherwise known as The Morons. Appropriately.
I'm no fan of Mormons - I'm also fairly old, and I laughed 'til I kicked the slats out of my cradle when I first heard that "moron" slam.
Ditch it. It's old, tired and lame.
That is the most repugant, ignorant, nonsensical pile of drivel I've ever seen in print. You are 100% brainwashed and out of your mind if you believe one word of what you wrote. I sincerely hope you don't breed and spread that insanity any further than your own small illogical and obtuse world.
Any logical rebuttal, or are you just trying to provoke religious people with insults because you disagree with them? In my experience, it's the latter. I hope you open your closed heart and mind someday. You will be far less miserable than you obviously are right now.
Frankly, I'd rather be miserable (actually, I'm not), than stupid, hoodwinked, and deluded like you are, LJ. Talk about pulling off the blinders, sheesh, your whole faith started from a ruse by an established con man, J Smith. And you fell for it!
The others are right; you are a moron. It's just that simple.
Lol Have you ever seen a Mormon who isn't delusional? I haven't and I'm God.
I really need to stop creating religions that factually wrong. Maybe one day I'll manage to do it. So far the best religion I've made is atheism, and it's not actually a religion.
Hello Lucifer, you always did believe that you were equal to God. Now you've convinced yourself that you ARE god. But you'll see in the end. 🙂
Hello Lucifer....hahaha...that's why you people are as known to be nut cases and your religion to be based in deslussion. ...someone writes something tougue in cheek and they call him the devil.....I am so happy I am free from this mind fk.
Mormons have a well developed sense of morality based on a belief in God. I am not a Mormon but respect their reasoned reply to what they believe is divine revelation.
Compare this to your harsh, cold judgmental-ism, Jdubba, and then tell me just WHO is brainwashed...
All the Mormons that I have ever met are kind, gentle, non-violent and responsible people. Yes, they have outrageous fantasies and they have been conned with the myths, but speaking to them harshly and angrily is out of line. Try again, you guys.
To which heaven does a 6 day old baby killed in a strm go?
LJ – your beliefs are so close to Islam.
This is a tragedy pure and simple. Rescue workers are now combing through the wreckage and they will find at least one survivor. When this happens, it will be referred to as a miracle. A miracle from God! Yes god works in mysterious ways. He is willing to create one of the largest storms ever recorded, kill hundreds if not thousands of people, destroy thousands and thousands of homes, destroy entire cities, kill entire families, just so that he can create a miracle or two. Brilliant!
You can call me a fool for my faith. It will not change me.
Well at least don't fúck up the kids with desert myths.
i can show you evidence why you're wrong and show you how your conclusions are actually your premises.....it will not change you
why? because you're an idiot
Really? I would love to see your evidence
scott, you are a fool for your faith.
There. You are actually different now. And wrong.
If god wants us to believe in him, why does he send people to knock on our front doors?
Taking us up a mountain one at a time to tell us was another hare-brained scheme.
Surely he could come up with a way to tell us all at the same time?
If I were the big guy, capable of creating super storms and the like, capable of creating all life as we know it right down to our very DNA, I would break into the half time show at the superbowl and reveal myself. It seems like that would be much more effective than talking to one guy up high and alone on a mountain in the form of a burning bush. Just my opinion.
Earthquakes, etc are not proof that God does not exist. They are proof that natural evil exists and that God does indeed exist. If God did not exist, nothing could exist or be held in being. God testified to his own existence when He declared "I AM WHO AM". He chose lowly human beings to reveal Himself. They are called prophets. Do we not speak through media which we created and thus give indirect proof of our existence? Or should we say because we do not speak directly we do not exist? God is love. The presence of evil is a test for the human race. It is the question asked: "Will you respond to evil with love or become evil yourselves?" Not long ago it was said that as piety wanes, the deserts grow. How do we reconcile natural evil with the existence of God? First of all, God is too big for us to grasp. We can only know that which he gives us to know on our own human level. The evil lies in us. How are we going to respond to this test given to us in our day? Are we going to cling to our riches with closed hands and heart or open our hands to care for those creatures declared by God to be made in His own image and likeness, an image and likeness which at this time is quite wounded? In tending in charity to our broken brothers and sisters we begin to heal that brokenness. There was a man who lived 8 centuries ago whom we call St. Francis of Assisi who loathed the sight of lepers. God touched his heart, and what once appeared loathsome to him then became beautiful as he emptied his clenched hands of their earthly wealth and found another greater wealth. So, we think gold and silver are beautiful? They do have a kind of natural beauty and so we seek them. But what about the beauty of a creature created in God's own image? If we neglect the care of such great wealth as the human being who is created, how can we expect God, Who is uncreated to reveal Himself to us? And if we judge uncreated Being not to exist, How does that judgment reflect upon us. Therefore, let us meet this and all subsequent tests graciously knowing that this God loves us eternally and He demands love from us. Are we going to let the deserts grow by our lack of love or cause them to shrink by growing in love–that is, growing into the image and likeness of God?
20 centuries ago a man lived of whom the following was said: "Though he was in the form of God he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting death, death on a cross!"
"Earthquakes, etc are not proof that God does not exist."
I'm listening....
"They are proof that natural evil exists and that God does indeed exist."
OK, well a simple science class should fix this...
"If God did not exist, nothing could exist or be held in being."
Nevermind...too far gone.
It is a lot easier to believe in God if we have His touch. We will pray that you have a wonderful experience of His love so that you can believe in Him. For all of you that is all that I can say. I will press and demand that God give you His love so that you can enjoy His love and care for you.
Great! Just keep this creepy stuff away from kids, and I got no problem what you do with your spare time!!!
Why certainly. That way they can live the empty, unfulfilled life that you apparently are. Tell me, what kind of vile immorality are you living that you reject the yoke of religion? Stay away from my children. I have yet to see an anti-theist whose hatred of God is not fueled by rejection of authentic human morality. What kind of drugs do you use? What do YOU like to do with children??? But God reaches our His hand even to you in mercy and wishes to fulfill your inner longings for Him.
You certainly come across as touched. Throwing baseless accusatory ad hominem attacks out when someone questions your evidence-free supernatural claims is a great way to win someone over to your way of thinking.
You have got to be kidding.
Larksparrow, don't obfuscate the primary prenuptials with rasberries. Often, the pertinent cat presents fabled necessities in the parking chamfer. Realize your net precedent. Triangulate! Save the best for the alligators. Ever the bastille notches the orchestra but Wendy is not green and horses will capitulate. Filter out the log from the turnstile and cry prevalently. So there brown stare. Feed your inner walnut and resolve. Subject your lemon to the ingenious door in the presence of snow and animals. Aisle 7 is for the monetary cheese whiz. Faced with the kitchen, you may wish to prolong the sailboat in the cliff. Otherwise, rabbits may descend on your left nostril. Think about how you can stripe the sea.
Regale the storm to those who (6) would thump the parrot with the armband. Corner the market on vestiges of the apparent closure but seek not the evidential circumstance. Therein you can find indignant mountains of pigs and apples. Descend eloquently as you debate the ceiling of your warning fulcrum. Vacate the corncob profusely and and don’t dote on the pancreas.Next up, control your wood. Have at the cat with your watch on the fore. Aft! Smarties (12)! Rome wasn’t kevetched in an autumn nightie. (42) See yourself for the turntable on the escalator. Really peruse the garage spider definitely again again with brown. Now we have an apparent congestion, so be it here. Just a moment is not a pod of beef for the ink well nor can it be (4) said that Karen was there in the millpond. Garbage out just like the candle in the kitty so. Go, go, go until the vacuum meets the upward vacation. Sell the yellow. Then trim the bus before the ten cheese please Louise. Segregate from the koan and stew the ship vigorously.
And remember, never pass up an opportunity to watch an elephant paint Mozart.
LOL. You have just proven the existence of a sense of humor.
"Earthquakes, etc are not proof that God does not exist."
Agreed.
"They are proof that natural evil exists and that God does indeed exist."
Please provide proof.
"If God did not exist, nothing could exist or be held in being."
Please provide proof.
'God testified to his own existence when He declared "I AM WHO AM".'
Well gee, that's very convincing. Not.
"He chose lowly human beings to reveal Himself. They are called prophets."
If whether or not we to go to heaven or hell depends on our belief of Him, why not reveal this to everyone, not just "prophets"?
"God is love."
Proof please.
"The presence of evil is a test for the human race."
Why does there need to be a test?
"First of all, God is too big for us to grasp. We can only know that which he gives us to know on our own human level."
What did he give us?
"made in His own image and likeness, an image and likeness"
What attributes do we share with God?
"So, we think gold and silver are beautiful?"
I don't.
"Who is uncreated"
Please explain how this is possible.
"He demands love from us."
Why?
Someone once wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident...." You seem to be asking for proof that the proof exists....a somewhat self-defeating proposition. Then you would have to prove that the proof of the proof of the proof exists, etc.. That we do not not exist is proof that we do.
Self-evident?
"Your honor, this man is guilty, and I don't need proof because it is self-evident."
That is just moronic and only convincing to the gullible.
Dear CNN – I cannot believe you just did this. You should be ashamed and apologize to the entire world for this.
No, an omnicient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent being, who brought this misery down upon us should be ashamed and apologize to the entire world for this.
You are absolutely right. He did and the name of that apology is Jesus.
Interesting to see the religious default to the standard 'The devil did it" answer. So god, who is suppose to be omnicscient and all powerful is letting the devil wreak havoc on humanity? Sounds like god is a sick being. We don't need a god to help us when we are fully capable of helping others who are affected by these tragedies. It's not god who causes people to help theose in need. It's empathy and regardless of religion or lack of it, empathetic people help others.
You have to subtract the 4 or 5% psychopaths and the mobs that follow em. They can get popular!!
Of which you are one.
You a kwazy dude if you think I'm popular!!
Actually God did this to punish false prophets like you spewing hatred and venom.
Where did I claim to be a prophet? Also, how is stating the virtue of empathetic humans spewing hatred?
Nevermind... I know the answer. I grew up in church in a very "christian" family. After years of questioning and seeing past the hyperbole and rhetoric, I discovered that god and all other gods before yours are and will always be man-made. There is no hatred here, believe what you want. The only time I have a problem with your beliefs is when they are legislated on belief and not fact.
Gosh nogods, you don't know how true what you sad about man-made gods. That is also the complaint of the God who calls Himself "I Am Who Am". We always want to do what we want and then create a god who feeds our self-deception. Meanwhile the God of love awaits our return home...
Yep. Empathy is our responsibility, having been made in the image and likeness of God.
Being a Katrina Survivor and went through hell, I will tell you where God was. He came during the aftermath in the hearts of people who helped and fed the many displaced people. Before you say God, why have you forsaken me, try keeping the faith, and ask for help, don't turn down help. Pride can hide God from you. Based on the News God is already working through the people and countries who come. Natural disasters can come, maybe it is the work of the devil, maybe God is testing your faith. Look at the many people who die from cancer and other bad diseases and suffer up to a decade before they die. How many give up as compared to the ones that survive another 10 or more years. My feeling is God first helps those that help themselves. So accept help graciously and become part of the rebuilding process as soon as possible and forget whoo is me. Be thankful for what you have like your life. Those that die are gone and there is nothing that will change that. For those who believe in God know they have moved on to a better place. For those that don't believe in God, don't blame him for what goes wrong in life.
@Bill
"My feeling is God first helps those that help themselves."
Themselves help themselves. No God required.
It goes back to the Sunday School song. " A foolish man builds his house upon the sand, A wise man builds his house upon the rock.
It is far out. When you live at sea level as in the Philippines, or worse yet you live BELOW the sea level as New Orleans....well silly you! Now you want to invoke the name of the LORD. Try Thank you!
Tell your god to go fúck himself with a bible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OgAXbyzP5g
Ann, judgment is reflexive. Please be kinder to yourself.
for people who don't believe in god, how can they blame someone they don't think exist?
its nothing more than criticism of fairy tales
If your faith dictates that you blame GOD for storms, I have two suggestions for you. Number one, if you REALLY believe that, get a new religion. Number 2. Maybe you need to stop being a smart aleck.
I pray that God reaches out to you and that you open your heart before it's too late. Then you will learn to spread love rather than negativity and evil.
There are no God(s). Hard to believe people still believe in that crap in the 21st century.
Boy are YOU in for a shock!
It's been nearly 2,000 years since your piece of shít god was invented.
I don't understand the hate for a god you don't believe in. You are a liar.
Here Shawn,
IF, IF , IF this fictional "God" character existed, with a personality and behavior as depicted in the old Middle Eastern stories (and in the imaginations of some today), it would be abundantly detestable.
You know, that is EXACTLY the point of the Cross of Jesus Christ. That is the way he was treated, so that we would not have to be treated that way forever. That is what love is all about.
David: "Pascal's Wager". Google it. Do it now, so you don't go on making a fool of yourself.
God did not promise that our lives would be without peril. In fact He said just the opposite. He said that because of our sin we would have trials and tribulations until the end of our days. Interestingly, it is the media who always asks the "where is God" question after an event like this. Perhaps if they would actually open their minds, they will see that tragedies bring people closer to God. Perhaps one of the reasons God allows these troubles into our lives.
Lets argue with the Atheists day? Atheists are what they are, non believers. Let them go as they please and pay no attention to them. Their hearts are empty of the word of God.
Your brain is empty.
And what fills the hearts of believers in gods other than yours?
untruth
I feel strongly for atheists. Atheism is a judgment that Being Itself does not exists and since jue=dgments are by nature reflexive, atheists do not exist. Let's pray with charity to bring them back to the God in whose image they were also created. They want what we all want...to know.
God answers prayers. What have you not received that you've asked from Him? Maybe that's the problem. We ask short insincere prayers like bless this food just as a formality without an effort in the world to have a relationship with Him. We try to shove Him out of our schools, government and workplaces then some moron asks "Where was God?!" He was exactly where you placed Him. As far away as you could get Him. So many people want a genie in a lamp who they can forget about until a problem comes up then they wonder where was God. Maybe start by reading the bible, praying to Him, praising Him for giving you access to salvation through His Son's suffering on the cross. Maybe then we'll understand a little more why God doesn't go all out in every aspect in our lives when we have absolute contempt for Him every other day of our lives when things are going smoothly. If you want protection from God I challenge you to start serving and loving Him and then ask for His protection and see what a difference it makes.
@MarkB
"God answers prayers."
And if you are like the other xtians on here, "God answers 100% of prayers, it's just some times yes, some times no, and some times wait."
So I ask, how can you tell the difference between that and chance?
Oddly enough, the success rate for prayers (ie, getting what is asked for) is the same as for doing nothing or wishing upon a star.
For the few....Scripture is about spiritual battles; not natural ones. Why do religious folks relentlessly try to mix spirit and flesh? Natural phenomonon is a product of the laws of the universe. When was the last time gravity failed? Spiritual battles are beyond a natural mans capability to comprehend and therefore he chooses denial.
God never left. He will always be there for those who look for him. This is this not a test for our Filipino brothers and sisters. This is a test for us. Do we turn our backs on them or do we stand up and help them through this very difficult time? I hope we don't fail.
you wanted God out of politics, out of our government buildings, out of our schools--and he honored your request.
Which god?
What does that have to do with a storm in the Philippines?
What does this tired cliched hyperbole have to do with the horrible devastation in the Phillipines?
Sure did! I'm sooooo glad he picked another country on the other side of the world to punish...whew!!!!
ora pike,
Probably at no time in history was the Christian "God" integrated into every aspect of society – education, science, art & literature, government, etc. – than in the 14th century. It was all-pervasive then, when the Black Plague claimed 45%–50% of the population of Europe. Your "God" couldn't even kill a flea.
That's funny, I haven't seen complete removal yet.
He was on the ACA website.....
It's time for humanity to grow up and abondon fairy tales.
The writer of the article needs to understand this is not heaven. God has told us that disasters will come. We are not to live for this world and possessions. If we live to serve Jesus we will upon passing from this life, live in a perfect world called heaven. IIf Daniel Burke, the writer would live for the Lord instead of complaining that this world is not perfect and is not meant to be as sin had entered this world many years ago, he would gain much. Now is the time to show God's love by helping people in the Philippines.
Excellent reply.
Here's your god's love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OgAXbyzP5g
Anon – you take a big risk without knowing.
Well said. God throws trials and tests at us to make us stronger and prepare us for the heavenly inheritance he has waiting for those who remain faithful. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we believe that all of us have to potential to become like our heavenly parents if we have faith in Christ and follow his example. Christ himself endured every agony of the entire human family during his atonement in Gethsemane and later on the Cross. He knows firsthand every pain, frustration and fear than anyone has ever felt or will ever feel, but thanks to him we can all live again, resurrected and inherit all that he has if we faithfully and humbly obey his gospel.
oh that church, otherwise known as The Morons...
Atheists are baby killers and rapists.
^ This is the mind of a delusional cultist.
Are you kidding? Someone actually asked this question? Any rational human will tell you there no "god(s)".
Right on ! then you hear these polls that most Americans (56%) believe that God is control of everything. It's appalled me how people don't realize that if such thing exists, those tragedies would never happened, right? I am still don't understand how these people don't see that the tragedy is a result of the weather changing. My heart goes out to the people of Philippines.
Yes, there are " no god(s) " EXCEPT ONE TRUE GOD – THE CREATOR OF THIS UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING IN IT