First in a series
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California –Natural catastrophes such as a floods or earthquakes are frequently referred to as an “act of God.” A deer crossing in front of a car that causes an accident is also considered an “act of God.” When “acts of God” occur, it exempts a party from strict liability that is often the result of negligence. It is a loss that could not have been prevented by diligence or by having taken. Judges who examine “acts of God,” take into consideration events and accidents that would normally not be anticipated by ordinary human foresight.
For many religious people, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods are also considered “acts of God,” but with one important caveat—they are the result of human sin. In essence, natural disasters serve to bring tribulation unto a sinful people. The two most vivid examples in Genesis are the stories of the Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, we heard all sorts of religious leaders claim that the licentious life-style of New Orleans[1] produced the hurricane. Others claimed it was divine retribution for the United States’ support of the removal of Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip.[2] Buddhist and Hindu scholars blamed it on karma, while Muslim across the globe imams proclaimed in unison, “The Terrorist Katrina is one of the Soldiers of Allah…”[3]
Seven years later, after Hurricane Sandy attacked Staten Island, Long Island, and New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic and the Caribbean has so far caused 50 billion dollars’ worth of damage.
- Hurricane Sandy is the largest Atlantic hurricane ever;
- Storm front over 1000 miles across the eastern coast;
- Winds of 110 miles per hour.
Many of today’s faith leaders similarly claim these “acts of God” are wreaking havoc in millions of peoples’ lives because of sin and vice. Once again, they are blaming the gay and lesbian community for their desire to sanctify their relationships through marriage. Our country is enduring a punishment for promoting the homosexual lifestyle.
According to the Christian Right, Muslim and Rabbinical fundamentalists, “There is no possible explanation for Hurricane Sandy but that it is divine retribution for the evil and sin that is rampant in America. God’s righteous wrath manifests itself through the destructive forces of Nature. God has a passion for using “cleansing water” to purify the world of its sins.” Many Muslim leaders think America is being punished for the sin of disrespecting Islam’s founder, Mohammed, for failing to ban “The Innocence of Muslims” film.
Surprisingly, these well-meaning Christians and Muslims forget the biblical passage where God announces to Noah:
- WHEN the LORD smelled the sweet odor, he said to himself: “Never again will I doom the earth because of man, since the desires of man’s heart are evil from the start; nor will I ever again strike down all living beings, as I have done. As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Gen 8:21-22).
To put this matter in the most blunt terms: God has left the Flood-making business—forever. Human beings are responsible for human evil; natural evil is not necessarily due to Divine retribution.
For the Christian evangelical community, I would urge them to consider a different way of viewing the theological problem of hurricanes and other natural disasters.
- When Jesus was walking by, he saw a man who was blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.’” —NT John 9:1-3
This little anecdote offers a great response to the problem of natural evil. It is not the place for theocrats or pious-minded God-fearing people to speculate why bad things happen to people. Rather, the ethical response to human suffering actively seeks to alleviate human suffering through acts of compassion. When people combat human suffering, God’s greatness and work become manifest and visible in the world.
Notes:
[1]In Philadelphia, Michael Marcavage viewed this as a divine punishment for welcoming gay men and lesbians from across the country were set to participate in a New Orleans street festival called “Southern Decadence.” He added, “We take no joy in the death of innocent people,” said Marcavage, who was an intern in the Clinton White House in 1999 and now runs Repent America, an evangelistic organization calling for “a nation in rebellion toward God” to reclaim its senses. “But we believe that God is in control of the weather,” he said in a telephone interview. “The day Bourbon Street and the French Quarter was flooded was the day that 125,000 homosexuals were going to be celebrating sin in the streets. . . . We’re calling it an act of God” (The Advocate, Jan. 17, 2006).
[2] Rabbi Joseph Garlitzky, head of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement’s Tel Aviv synagogue, recounted for WND a pulpit speech he gave this past Sabbath: “And here there are many obvious connections between the storm and the Gaza evacuation, which came right on top of each other. Nobody has permission to take away one inch of the land of Israel from the Jewish people” (WorldNet News, Sept. 7, 2005).
[3] “…As I watched the horrible sights of this wondrous storm, I was reminded of the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah [in the compilations] of Al-Bukhari and Abu Daoud. The Hadith says: ‘The wind is of the wind of Allah, it comes from mercy or for the sake of torment. When you see it, do not curse it, [but rather] ask Allah for the good that is in it, and ask Allah for shelter from its evil.’ Afterwards, I was [also] reminded of the words of the Prophet Muhammad: ‘Do not curse the wind, as it is the fruit of Allah’s planning. He who curses something that should not be cursed – the curse will come back to him.” (World Tribune, September 1, 2005).
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Rabbi Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted at michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com