Hurricane Sandy - God's wrath or bigots' excuse?

Why is it that natural disasters are picked on by certain groups as being demonstrations of God's displeasure? What really intrigues me is that God's wrath always appears to be aimed at those of whom these groups disapprove. I ask, with a tone of irony, could this be some remarkable coincidence?

As Hurricane Sandy moved inexorably towards the Atlantic coast of the USA the religious doomsayers crawled out of their holes in the wordwork. 'Sandy is judgement on the gays!' 'This is punishment for successive governments allowing abortion!' 'The strength of God's hatred of Islam is demonstrated in Sandy's power!' ' 'Repent! Sandy is at hand!'

What dribbling, babbling nonsense! Any divine judgement on gays and everyone else will be before the throne of judgement, not through a hurricane that only hits a small proportion of gays or anyone else in the world. Hurricanes happen in countries that do not allow abortion, happened before America allowed abortion, and the weather is normal most of the time everywhere, whether governments allow abortion or not. If God hates Islam so much you might think he would start delivering hurricanes to the Middle East, North and East Africa and large swathes of Asia, and presumably create mini tornadoes for smaller communities spread around the world.

Do those who shout about God's wrath believe that their message will persuade others to 'come to God'? It didn't seem to work in Old Testament times, so why should it do so now? The Israelites constantly repented and rebelled in a never-ending cycle; frightened by apparent divine punishment, they repented; basking in a land of plenty, they rebelled against the strictures placed upon them. The New Testament tells us, we are not able to keep the OT laws. Fear doesn't work except in the short term. It produces an immediate, but shallow, form of regret and encourages an attempt at reform. Lasting repentance - let's say that again, repentance that lasts - is only possible through the love of Jesus. Fear fails; love lives.

Now that the huricane has hit the coast we know that it is causing destruction and death. It is horrible, but it is the nature of the natural world. Let's explain it as it is, though, not offer explanations based on superstition. And let's tell people about the love of Jesus, not about indescriminate punishments meted out by a god who is oblivious of collateral damage and yet still persists in targeting those of whom I or you or some other religious fool disapproves.

In reality, Yahweh is very good at hitting targets, but it is with love, not hatred. Jesus came to save, not to condemn.

Haloween

Until the last few decades very little notice was taken of haloween in Britain. I guess it was films and TV, especially the latter, that spread the celebration from North America. Commercial interests too have pushed the idea and so gained greatly from another opportunity to sell special themed goods. Haloween is now a major date in the calendar in UK.

One major difference in UK, I gather, is that 'trick or treat' has taken a nasty turn. I am told that 'trick' is meant to refer to the idea that one should 'perform a trick', but in Britain, it has taken the meaning of 'if you don't give me a treat, I'll play a trick on you'. At its worst, this can mean chewing gum in your front-door lock or a scratched car. However rare, and I'm sure such incidences are very rare indeed, such stories coerce people into coughing up the goodies instead of allowing them the privilege of choosing to be generous.

Though disliking the very principle of 'celebrating' haloweeen, even I can appreciate the sometimes brilliant carving of pumpkins and the enjoyment of children dressing up. I am certainly not one to deny the right of anyone else to celebrate whatever they want (within reason!), but I do find the idea that it is all just 'innocent fun' incredibly naive. It is as innocent as Father Christmas and Easter bunnies; in other words, it is anything but innocent. Just as FC gives the impression to young and old alike that Christmas is really all about sentimentality, make-believe and presents, so haloween suggests that evil is really just a bit of fun.

I recall an advertisment for cream (I think) that used the line 'Naughty but nice', and far too many people associate the two as fitting together neatly. It is only a few short short steps to the common idea that 'If I'm not allowed to sin in heaven then I'd rather end up in hell'. (Mind you, I do love cream even though it's a bit naughty in health terms!)

But how should Christians respond to trick-or-treaters? Personally, my home is so isolated that they don't reach me. Problem solved! I guess our reaction should not be to tell them it's wrong or preach at them about Jesus. I think we should be welcoming and generous, and given the chance I would offer a treat of a trick; perhaps something such as a short, fun song about Jesus and a small picture book telling them that Jesus is for real - not like Father Christmas, not like the Easter bunny, not like the tooth fairy and certainly not like ghouls and ghosties and witches in pointy hats.