A common axiom asserts disasters bring out the best and worst in people. Apparently the same holds true for religions. Christian clergy and lay believers alike have twisted the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina to conform to their own theological perspectives. New Orleans has been compared to Sodom and Gomorrah indicating the destruction of the city was God’s will as a response to human wickedness.
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3820292&nav=1TjDeGmDApparently the people using the analogy have very little knowledge about the actual biblical story. Abraham convinced God to agree to spare the cities for the sake of ten righteous men. I have a hard time believing there were less than ten good people living in New Orleans two weeks ago. Let us also take a look at the family God spares from his wrath, shall we? When a mob surrounds Lot’s house seeking to rape the two visitors, angels sent by God, Lot responds; “Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." (Gen 19:8) While I see nothing righteous in Lot’s offer, I recognize the same degree of regard for women too often governing the policies advocated by fundamentalists.
Additionally, Ezekiel provides an alternative reason for the city's destruction. "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.'" (Ezekiel 16:49) This verse reminds me of Capitol Hill and the White House far more than it does the Superdome and the French Quarter.
Surprisingly, the following letter appearing in the
Hartford Courant on September 04, 2005 was written by an Anglican minister.
A Christian biblical perspective might compare New Orleans to Sodom and Gomorrah. For years, New Orleans has debauched the Christian penitential season of Lent, exploiting Fat Tuesday and ridiculing Ash Wednesday by turning them into a six-week orgy of drunkenness, drug abuse and sexual promiscuity.
It has been more than 50 years since the last great flood hit New Orleans. I believe God's grace and patience have to be given credit for that. However, even the patience of God has its limits, especially when he has been so cruelly mocked for so long.
The arrogance and complacency of those who remained in "below sea level" New Orleans, despite numerous warnings, was astounding. The result has been death, destruction and mayhem. They have no one to blame but themselves. The same arrogance and spiritual complacency that is celebrated daily in New Orleans pervades America's materialistic post-modern society.
When sex, money, power and nihilistic hedonism are given priority over God, the results are inevitable.
The Rev. John Westcott
Anglican Church of the Resurrection
AnsoniaA Christian Biblical perspective would never compare what happened to New Orleans with Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus of Nazareth’s ministry was a radical change from the legal foundations of the tribal covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites. Jesus preached mercy, compassion and forgiveness. His message was a mirror he held up to show us the reflection of a loving God. Jesus was intimately concerned with the plight of the poor and the marginalized. Rev. Westcott has given them absolutely no regard when he talks about the arrogance and complacency of those who remained. Many of those people were precisely the poor for which Jesus had the greatest compassion. These people did not remain out of arrogance, many remained because they had no alternative.
The sentiments of Rev. Westcott and those who echo his beliefs do not take into account that Hurricane Katrina devastated an area far greater than simply the city of New Orleans. They cling to the wounding faith in a sadistic deity by casting blame rather than extending a helping hand. God does not send hurricanes or pluck a wayward child out of the path of an onrushing car. We are God’s hands!
Fortunately many Christians have responded with unbounded generosity. Many churches throughout the nation have opened their hearts, their coffers and their doors in order to help anyone and everyone fleeing from the destruction. These are the men and women who follow in Christ’s footsteps. In the Bay area of Texas I am aware of a group of Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists and Methodists working in conjunction with Unitarian Universalists and Muslims to provide relief for evacuees. Just as the victims of this natural disaster are likely to represent a wide spectrum of religious beliefs, I would imagine every religious faith is participating in caring for them. I pray the condemnation of the few does not obscure the good works of the many.
Edited to add the Ezekiel passage provided by responses. Thank you!
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