from ancient times humans associated natural disasters with the anger of the "gods" . Not that I think China did not make it wrong in Tibet, yes they did - but i believe that the association is wrong.

Using the same logic, the recent spate of killer tornados through the American 'Bible Belt' is also indicative of Godly retribution... right?

And that the country of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, was hit by the horrible destruction of a cyclone, possibly killing hundreds of thousands of it's poorest citizens, primarily because God was angry with the military dictatorship.

I'm sorry, but I don't buy this line of thinking anymore than the idea that God was punishing New Orleans for wickedness or that the NYC twin towers were destroyed because God was angry at capitalism.

Originally posted by DuneKnight
I got a relative there but i dont know if he is ok or not yet. Thats just terrible, 8,000 is alot, im not sure if an earthquake ever did that before.

Boxing Day Tsunami, 2004. Quarter of a million killed.

Being the day after Christmas, Muslim clerics came out and said 'God did it' because some people in the effected areas celebrated Christmas.

China is a big place with a big population, when these things happen, a virus outbreak, or an earthquake, many people are unfortunately going to die.

Oh, and aren't you forgetting Burma? What did they do recently? The regime may be terrible, but innocent people killed in these disasters shouldn't have to answer for their government.

I don't think God can give out collective punishment. If he did, you'd all be worshipping the likes of Stalin.

well of course. So many tiny chinese people. If they weren't so small then so many wouldn't have died.

There is a book called 'EYE TO EYE' where it connects Bible passages that state that nations or people who bless Israel are also blessed. But those who oppose or effect it are cursed.

The Katrina event along with Israel's evacution in Gaza of the Jews could be seen as a curse on Americans for letting it happen, its something to be considered. There is a graph to suggest everytime America (which is Israel's supporter) fails to help with their needs they come to some disaster. The Jews are also in this frame when they don't stick to their Biblical routes and forget God. America being Israels supporter is the ritchest country in the world so its blessed according to this theory in which we feel God's presence through the nations. It may not be direct judgement but they could be disasters in which God could secretly help us avoid. So there is a pattern to it.

As for the Tsunami it could be seen as a judgement on the curruption of the sex trade and if not Islam it self. If you look at the people who oppose Isreal to the ones who don't you see who is better off as the Bible describes and facts show.

God doesnt want to punish anyone esp single out a country with innocent victims.

this might be news to people but God has been punishing certain countries for years because of their inhumane actions. right now China just experienced God's wrath and I hope for their safety. God wont let them be a superpower, as he sees them as unworthy due to their lack of values.

I think the whole earthquake thing has to do with them blowing up a nuke recently... In fact a lot of the quakes might be related to previous nuke blasts... Sorry I don't have any more information, I'm short on time and can't look a bunch of stuff up right now... But that would be my guess... Thanks..

Originally posted by whitesatan
well of course. So many tiny chinese people. If they weren't so small then so many wouldn't have died.

Not funny........

personally I think god would have better aim.

Originally posted by Dunknight
came directly from God to punish the Chinese for what they have done to Tibet, especially recently.

All I can say to this is
if this is a sample of gods divine retribution...
and its the children who are dying in mass...
then I want no part of that god....

Do not be hearded into the belief that God's daily regimine is do decide who to take out next with a world catastrophe.

The idea that God inflicts harm/damage discriminately would suggest that he is biased.

Bias is a human triat, and is reflected in almost all religious belief systems because of mans influence on society.

Major earthquakes have and will occur regardless of man's occupence of that territory.

Maybe God is setting an example, if we dont follow him then we die in the same way. we have yet to learn of why earthquakes happen or else we wouldve predicted it. China did do alot of bad things these couple of years and it now has a huge ego, in the same way the roman empire had and look what happened to them. The fall of america is another sign of God's disapproval of U.S actions and social change towards gay marriages and abortion, etc. Gay marriages in my opninon is a direct violation because its spiteful towards God's creed. its like we amended something sacred and twisted it.

[edit on 13-5-2008 by DuneKnight]

If that is true then I also want no part of that God or its actions even if it means I go to hell or limbo as a result. Mortal or Deity anything who revels in acts of destruction is not a God of Peace, Morality but a God of Humanity and I don't trust Humans be they workmen or Kings let alone a God level Human.

Punishing?

Unbelievable that someone born in a modern civilized technical republic and schooled in civilized society could believe such dark ages claptrap.