Hurricane Irma and Stupid Stuff

It is during a natural disaster that my annoyance with religion kicks into overdrive. All of the people out there praying for the victims of these disasters. Yeah, those will do people a ton of good right now. You want to help? Donate money, give blood, take your boat down there and rescue people. Whatever. Praying though? It might make you feel better, but it is a hollow, empty gesture. I realize some of you might say “hey Josh, I pray for them, but also do that other stuff too.” And that is fine. I am not trying to put down anyone that is religious (well, mostly not trying to, I guess those sentences before this may be a bit harsh), but would like to point out that there are a few Christians out there, who like to use a disaster to further their agenda.

One thing you will hear when a hurricane hits is that this is God punishing the people for their wicked ways (during Katrina it was because New Orleans is full of gays). I am sure Irma is just retribution for all sorts of terrible things in Florida (unless the model changes and it hits Georgia/South Carolina, then oops, guess God’s aim is a little off). So here is where I have a question: if God is punishing a city because they allow transgender people to use a bathroom, elected a lesbian mayor, or any of the other things people say, then why pray? The city deserves what it gets, right? Who are you to challenge the wrath of God?

Also, I am pretty sure if God is using a hurricane to destroy a city, then he may be going against his word. Remember Genesis 9:11–“I will maintain my covenant with you: never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” That comes from my Tanakh, but go ahead and find whatever version you have at home and look for yourself. I am no lawyer, but God did make a deal to not use a flood again and it seems like having a hurricane destroy a city is basically the same thing. I am sure it was hurricane conditions during those 40 days/nights. So if God goes against his word, what does that make him? Aside from an asshole? I am thinking that makes him not very reliable. Can you really trust a deity that just breaks his promises.

On a similar note, I saw a post that said something like “wildfires in California, hurricanes, earthquakes…think God is trying to tell us something?” This is how your loving god gets your attention? By killing thousands of people. Maybe an all-powerful being could be a little less mysterious and just yell very loudly “hey people, pay attention, I have a few things to say.” Instead of just destroying cities and whatnot.

Okay, I am done ranting. Remember folks, these hurricanes are serious. I have plenty of friends in Florida and I definitely hope they stay safe. There are people out there suffering through this, so please find a constructive way to help. I mean, just look at this picture of dogs in the Dominican Republic…and tell me you don’t want to just rush down there and at least rescue the dogs. Or pray that they get teleported out of the danger zone.

But seriously, if you want to donate…

Red Cross
ASPCA

Those are just two, but one for helping out the humans, the other for the animals (I would say try to donate a little more for the people).

Author: Ngewo