Hurricane Dennis: Mother Nature or God?

[donco6]

In reading numerous newspaper articles this morning about the impending impact of Dennis on the Gulf Coast, I was struck by how many people blame "Mother Nature" for this disaster. And yet, for those whose homes will fortunately be spared, they'll loudly "praise God" for saving their home.

So, which is it? Is God responsible only for good things and Mother Nature has to take the blame for bad things? Sounds like God's got a good deal going here.

[stray cat]

1. Hurricane Dennis is a hurricane

[donco6]

2. What? You mean NEITHER one has anything to do with it?

(shock)

[kittenpants]

5. exactly, cleary Zarquawi is the one behind all this.

[donco6]

7. Ah yes, the Boogeyman.

snort!

[omega minimo]

24. "Mother Nature" is "God" and we are inside of It

How could It not "have anything to do with it"?


Hasn't Science recovered from the Reductionist point of view yet? I thought that already happened.

The fish still don't see the water?

[donco6]

25. You're talking heresy now.

God=Mother Nature=Us. Tsk Tsk. What would D. James Kennedy say?

[omega minimo]

26. You betcha!

:rofl:


Healing this split will heal a lot of strife.

I'm pretty sure the New Physics has made this an open secret.

Less well known is the history of how this split leads right back to (gasp!) the Founding Fathers of the One God religion that split into the three religions that are now trying to destroy each other and the Earth.............

Time to erase some of the cartoon characters from the minds of The People.

:evilgrin:

[donco6]

28. Will it ever die out?

With the war against science being waged in the US right now, I just wonder which side will win. Are we entering another dark age?

[omega minimo]

34. "Dumbing down" is past tense, not future.

I'm reading "The Twilight of American Culture" by Morris Berman. He believes this empire is in the waning phase. Also points out, as did "Farenheit 451" that you don't necessarily have to burn the books, in a society where most don't read. He describes a new dark ages of knowledge being preserved in methods similar to those in history.

Is it a war against Science, or a war against Knowledge?

Whatever the IQ, people not recognizing they are on and in and of the Earth and its environment, IMHO, is demented.

[donco6]

36. Which again, brings it all back to religion.

The conservative Christian types believe the Bible teaches that all things will end, but that the end isn't really the end, but a new beginning with God in heaven. Well, a new beginning for some, the rest are actually tormented in fire forever - within sight of everyone in heaven. Fun, huh? I know I'd be enjoying heaven knowing that all those people are burning forever in hell. Yeah.

For those not into fairy tales, the point of existence seems to be . . . to find the point in existence. That takes time. The Christians seem bent on shortening this time as much as possible (let's burn up all the fuel with gas guzzling vehicles, pollute the air and destroy the environment, get everyone hating each other with war and terror, after all, God has provided everything we need. Yeah!)

Tis a worryment.

[omega minimo]

38. So what's yer point?

:rofl:

"...the point of existence seems to be . . . to find the point in existence. That takes time."

This morning I read words of the Dalai Lama, who I hesitate to paraphrase...........: The Buddhists compassionately honor all of Life. Being born human is seen as especially fortunate, because only humans have the opportunity to develop their consciousness. That would be the point of existence.

All the fire and brimstone types EVER care about is controlling other people. Where is the love?

At the least, these folks could use a sense of that being-in-and-of-the-earth-ness but NOOOO-- that be pagan talk!

[donco6]

44. Profound!

I must say, if we were going to institute a theocracy, why couldn't it be Buddhism?

Ha! That's incomprehensibly oxymoronic.

[omega minimo]

48. Supercalifragalistic expialidocious!

"incomprehensiblyoxymoronic"

Maybe not. The revolution will not be televised.

[msongs]

3. has pat robertson told us why dennis is hitting FL yet?

too many gays and lesbians? too many non believers? too many......people like pat robertson hehe.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

PS - it is peculiar that people who claim to hear directly from god always get a message that supports their OWN beliefs, like god cannot contradict them.

[BrklynLiberal]

8. hmm I was wondering that myself. Is it God or Mother Nature who is

trying to tell Florida something about their electoral habits (Jeb Bush, Katherine Harris, etc, etc) :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Was it Fallwell or Robertson who said he heard from God that he was going to be taken if they didn't get more contributions? I remember hearing that...and could not believe that there were people who actually fell for that crap and gave money so whoever it was would be spared...

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[donco6]

10. EXACTLY!

If the thing hit South Beach, you don't think we'd have every RW fundie nutcase pointing to gays as the reason? But here it's hitting Pensacola, and I guess there's just no reason at all. It's fickle Mother nature . . .

[converted_democrat]

42. You are spot on! Spot on! n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

19. You're thinking of Oral Roberts

who holed himself up in his prayer tower in Tulsa, Oklahoma and whined that the Lord was "going to call him home" if he didn't raise the funds. Fortunately for Oral, some deep-pocketed donor came along and paid the "ransom".

[BrklynLiberal]

39. Right. I knew it was some half-wit hypocrite. Thanks. I have trouble

telling them apart. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[donco6]

9. Yes, that's amazing.

You know, the Bible condemns false prophets very clearly, but for some reason, Charismatics (the ones who believe in modern day prophecy) never seem to hold anyone to it when their prophecies prove false.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. More misogynism at work in this paternalistic society..

(maybe not so funny...)

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[donco6]

11. At least they don't name all the hurricanes after women . . .

. . . anymore.

[Matariki]

35. i miss that actually

as homage to Kali or Oya, imo

[Mythsaje]

6. I grit my teeth

every time I hear the "praise god" crap after a disaster. "God saved me" means the same as "god let those other people DIE! I was more deserving!"

Makes me want to scream.

[donco6]

12. Yes!

What they're really saying is, "Wow, God made that storm hit those OTHER people! He must really like me!"

[Mythsaje]

16. Kinda like a sports "hero"

saying "praise god" after a win...Like a deity gives a damn who wins a stupid football game.

[Bleacher Creature]

13. Same here. These people owe me for my dental bills.

My dentist says that I grind them.

[bluedog]

21. know what pi**es me off

I live in Pinellas county Fl.....and every time a hurricane comes in...you get all these people interviewed.saying they have done all they can to secure their property...then they say they just sit and Pray to God that they won't get hurt.......now if thats the case....why not Pray to God all year long..for No hurricanes coming our way...No sex offenders killing our children..........they use "Faith" to splash on the TV and think praying will say their sorry asses.

If they would have put up a better complaint about this "tax free" hurricane readiness (2 weeks) in June.......Plywood was NOT tax free......the generators priced from $400-600 was "sold" out in hours........the state was not prepared for the people buying these.to me this was a complete fruad...this so called tax free crap...........we have tried for months to get a $600-$700 generator...guess what....none in stock at Sams Club, Home depot.sears.....yet....Jebbie says get "Prepared"

[uppityperson]

43. no no no no no, you see, God will give the deserving trials& tribulations

The rest of us have to suffer with just going along in life, having things easy. And, you see, God gives good things to those deserving people also. So, if you have trouble, it is God. If you have good things happen, God again. You cannot lose!

[omega minimo]

14. What's the difference?

Mother Nature IS God IS Mother Nature.

Been seperated out for the sort of control issues you're describing. "The Fates" or "The Father"?

The Universe is not a pinball machine. God is not a celestial grandpa.

[Taxloss]

15. Gum disease: pixies or tooth fairy?

In the case of Dennis, I'll stick with physics.

[kittenpants]

17. it's those damn godless pixies I tell ya!

[Taxloss]

18. I've got my eye on the pixies.

They hate us for our healthy gums.

[OneBlueSky]

20. "Mother Nature or God?" . . .

there's a difference? . . .

[splat]

22. Karma , neh?

JEB Bush: "The fact is that there's a legitimate feeling, 'why me, why us?'..."

I hope Jeb is ready to listen to the answer.

Look out kid, it's something you did, God knows when, but you're doing it again. (Dylan)

[donco6]

23. Why, Jeb? Well, let me tell ya . . .

. . . and my opinion is just as good as anyone else's on this subject . . . but it's because you are evil. Yes, comic-book villain evil. God is doing His best to get you out of power, but is having a tough time because of the deluded nature of the "Christians" in Florida these days. But He'll keep trying.

(With sincere apologies to our FL brethren - this is all tongue in cheek.)

[damntexdem]

27. Hey, division of labor is very efficient. And it also allows for ...

plausible deniability. ;-)

[donco6]

29. Bingo!

Good things: God here - yes, I did that. Yea me!

Bad things: That nasty Mother Nature. Damn she's a bitch.

[LizW]

30. Reminds me of a joke

A religious man lived on the banks of a great river. Rains came and the river was predicted to flood. The neighbors were packing their belongings in a truck and leaving, but the godly man refused, saying, "I have faith that God will protect me from harm."

As the waters got higher, the man had to move to the second floor of his house. A rescue crew came by in a boat and urged him to get in. "No," the godly man said. "I have faith that God will protect me." So the boat left to save others.

The water grew still higher and the man had to climb onto the roof of his house. A helicopter crew spotted him and came to lift him to safety. "NO!" The godly man shouted. "I HAVE FAITH! GOD WILL PROTECT ME!" The helicopter crew left to save others.

Finally the waters covered the house and the godly man was swept away and drowned. When he reached the gates of Heaven, he demanded that St. Peter let him speak with God immediately. When he was brought into the presence of God, he complained, "Father! I was a godly man of faith all my life! I trusted in you! Why did you forsake me?"

God put his arm around the man and said gently, "Son, I sent a truck, a boat and a helicopter, what more did you expect me to do?"

[donco6]

32. Yes, I remember that one.

not unlike what we hear in fact.

[More Than A Feeling]

31. Human nature

Hurricanes would not be disasters if noone lived in their way. Choosing and/or being forced to live in an area where hurricanes are frequent, and doing things that make hurricanes more common can both be traced to the dubious proposition of human nature.

[BringEmOn]

33. God: "Hey, you didn't listen in 2004 when I said to count all the votes!"

[Walt Starr]

37. Hurricanes are natural water temperature regulators

Hurricanes form over warm waters and end up cooling them. It's nature's way of regulating water temperature.

[DemGirl7]

40. Normally I would answer it just nature...

but since it's hitting "Republican Country" or "Bush Country", I think God is just giving them what they deserve...if you get my point.

[donco6]

45. IMO, I think that's perfectly fair.

Considering how the fundies are only so happy to turn the tables.

[entanglement]

41. God...when things go bad, I always

blame the bearded old white guy in the sky :evilgrin:

[Ready2Snap]

46. No less an authority than Darryl Van Horne said:

"When I make a mistake it's EVIL.
But, when GOD makes a mistake it's NATURE!
Jack Nicholson-
Witches of Eastwick

[donco6]

47. I remember that line!

And I totally agree. God gets to skate every time.

[DemoTex]

49. Science: Atlantic Decadal Oscillation

The Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico are extremely warm. It is a cyclical thing, but may be exacerbated by global warming. Only a flat-earther would write-off global warming now. Only a treasonous bastard would have his minions alter the scientific findings for political expediency. However, that's where we are .. stuck between flat-earth fundy-ism and downright dereliction of duty.

[donco6]

50. War against Science on many fronts.

I was reading in Discovery magazine about a gene therapy scientist who was having to spend his time fighting Washington over stem cell rules rather than being able to spend time in his lab. He's researching pancreatic cell regrowth to combat diabetes, which affects both of his children.

In Kansas, the state board of ed is rewriting the science standards to support "intelligent design" (creationism). They, too, are seeking to change the definition of "science" to include some supernatural mumbo-jumbo.

And, as you mentioned, rewriting research that supports global warming.

Where will it end?