Last I Heard, God Speaks for Himself, Mr. Beck, not Through You.

UPDATE: I guess the Governor of Tokyo said essentially the same thing. Still seems odd to be putting one's own words in God's mouth.

This is a message to all of you so-called Christians from a guy who reacts a little bit differently than maybe you think he should.

When disasters happen, do not blame God. And when I say that, I mean do not say, as Glenn Beck said earlier this week, for example, that the earthquake and tsunami in Japan were a “message from God” to the nation of Japan:

“[T]here's a message being sent. And that is, 'Hey, you know that stuff we're doing? Not really working out real well. Maybe we should stop doing some of it.' I'm just saying."

Sure, you’re just saying, Mr. Beck.

Here’s what I’m saying:

What’s the message sent to the little kids who have to suffer through these events, if this is a message coming from God?

What’s the message sent to the elderly who have to suffer through these events, if this is a message coming from God?

What’s the message sent to anyone who has to suffer through these events, if this is a message coming from God?

From what I know, the Japanese are pretty much like us -- when disaster strikes, they fight back. One of their poets, Kokan Shiren, wrote a poem on earthquakes:

Still things moving,
firm becomes unfirm,
land like ocean waves,
house like a boat --
a time to be fearful,     
but to delight as well;
no wind, yet the wind-bells
keep on ringing.

God set us on the earth he created. I think we can agree on that. In part of that creation comes the phenomenon we now know as plate tectonics. Also in part of that creation, if I’ve understood my theology well enough, is that the devil is here on earth, his dominion as he calls it, also sending messages, if you will.
Maybe the message being sent from God is this: A tragedy has yet again occurred, killing many of my children and leaving many more homeless and afraid. What will my other children, who have not been directly impacted by this tragedy, do to help? Will they show empathy or will they merely sit back and pontificate, either on the evils or benefits of nuclear power, the roiling of the world’s financial markets, the scamming of money from those who want to help, the turning by ignorance of such events into fodder for comics and cynics and idiots? Will they pontificate on what kind of message they think I’m sending?

No, because even though there is no wind, the wind-bells are chiming. Dawn will come.

In 3 Nephi 17, when Jesus groaned because of the iniquity of the people of Israel, he did not rain destruction on them. He had compassion on those who were there to listen. He healed their sick. He blessed and comforted their children. The only message he sent was one of love.


Will God's children show empathy, rather than stupidity?

The answer is yes, Mr. Beck. They will show empathy. They will help in whatever way they can, even if all they can do is send a text message that nets the Red Cross $10, or if they kneel and pray to me. That’s the answer many are sending.

They’re not putting words in God’s mouth.They're too busy helping out.