"Religion is a hypothesis about the world: the hypothesis that things are the way they are, at least in part, because of supernatural entities or forces acting on the natural world. And there's no good reason to treat it any differently from any other hypothesis. Which includes pointing out its flaws and inconsistencies, asking its adherents to back it up with solid evidence, making jokes about it when it's just being silly, offering arguments and evidence for our own competing hypotheses...and trying to persuade people out of it if we think it's mistaken. It's persuasion. It's the marketplace of ideas. Why should religion get a free ride"

Greta Christina

Monday 18 January 2010

God will provide

It’s difficult to imagine the depth of despair being experienced by the survivors of the Haitian earthquake. Relief efforts, coordinated by the U.N are being severely hampered by the damage to infrastructure and the sheer weight of logistical problems and frustrations are building among the people leading to riots and episodes of looting.
This is understandable, if regrettable. What are also perhaps understandable are the appeals to God, and impromptu outdoor services that are inevitable in a religious and superstitious culture. But one comment from a Haitian pastor interviewed on radio 4 this morning really struck me as foul and irresponsible. If I can find a link I’ll add it later, but in essence the sentiment was this:
We have lost faith in the Government, we have lost faith in the U.N and the ability of aid workers to help. We have only faith in God, who will provide. We can only pray and await his decision.

No doubt when the tirelessly working aid agencies, the U.N, the U.S army struggling to help his faithful flock, finally deliver the aid he has no faith will come, it is God that will get the credit. Not the real human heroes on the ground, nor the millions of people, or the national governments pouring in money and resources as fast as possible. No, it will be God that did it. This will be same God who, presumably, won’t be condemned for the earthquake in the first place.

Update: The U.S have commenced air drops
Look out for claims of "Manna from heaven".

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