A Fool’s Guide to Natural Disasters

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Noah's ark and the flood

So Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy came and went and somewhat fortunately I guess for me that I am in Nigeria. Up until May this year, I lived in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) and where I live was heavily flooded by Sandy. Pardon my language but she was such a wet bish. Given that my apartment was a basement apartment, It would have definitely been damaged by Sandy. Alas fate, destiny, God made it that I am in Africa. *Cue Testimony music and raise hands to heaven speaking in tongues*, I’m sure there is a testimony in the church mode of thinking somewhere in there. That being said, my heart goes out to all the people who lost their lives and were affected by Sandy.

So I was merrily browsing le internet last week and I came across a synopsis (right word?) of reactions from other parts of the world to Sandy on Global voices: It was titled: “Arab World: Sandy unleashes wrath of God on infidel America”

Trust me, I made a comment and it went thus:

“It is absolutely ridiculous to believe that a natural disaster is God’s punishment on a nation. Evil people exist everywhere whether it is in America or the Middle East. It is sheer ignorance to latch on one’s hatred for a country and use that to justify a callous and dismissive approach to the vicitims of the disaster.
As for the lack of coverage of the massacre in Syria, it is a case of who pays the piper dictates the tune. American and Western media outlets are predominant the world over so it is natural that they cover the events that affect them directly. Human nature is selfish. If the Arab world needs more coverage perhaps we need more stations like Al-Jazeera whose constituency is the Arab world and its citizens.” – HRH Prince Farouk I

Like the comment says, I find it preposterous that there are people who think any natural disaster is God’s way of punishing people. News flash, Natural disasters happen. There is no selective process involved. There are scientific and logical explanations for every natural disaster that occurs. There isn’t a big man in the sky that throws thunder bolts at nations or people that piss him off based on his whims or evil.

Bringing this back home, I have heard a few people describe the flooding that has occurred in various parts of Nigeria as God’s punishment for our increasing decadence as a society. Apparently our fornication, terrorism, adultery, corruption, ashawo tendencies have increased and as a result God decided to reward us with floods. Um, No. The floods are a results of undredged waters, climate change resulting in higher rainfall and the fact that Cameroon let open one of their dams doesn’t help the matter as well.

Like I said in my comment, If God rewards evil with natural disasters upon nations then wouldn’t that be sort of unfair? Arent there evil and sinful men and women all over the world? I believe whatever religion you believe, Natural disasters should not be seen as a punishment from God but an opportunity to reflect on the transient nature of life and how we need to make sure we are right with our maker (or lack thereof for the atheists), make peace with ourselves and recognize that death is no respecter of persons. We should also condole with those who have lost people in disasters, not sit around and castigate them for what they clearly had no control over. Lets leave the story of Noah and the flood in Genesis where it belongs.

Also there are people that believe AIDS is God’s punishment for homosexuality, poverty means that you have done something to offend God, babies born with disabilities are God’s punishment for abortion, etc. The list goes on…smh.

So what do you think? Are Natural Disasters messages from God? Should be afraid that I might be struck by lightening while I fornicate? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do intelligent people leave their brains at the door when it comes to religion? Speak your piece ladies and gentlemen…

2 thoughts on “A Fool’s Guide to Natural Disasters

    Diana said:
    November 4, 2012 at 7:36 am


    Kiah said:
    November 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    i think Jesus answered this in the Bible already!

    good one though

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