The Rev. Bernard Smith, Largo, Florida...kooky tsunami theory

This is a quote from The St. Pete Times, that did a story called, "The Hand of God?" about folks linking religion with the tsunami disaster. Folks from many faiths (including the pres of the Atheist Society in Tampa) chimed in. Most were very sound in their statements. Then they found this guy, who seems to have been used in some bizarre, live Whak-a-Mole game...

The Rev. Bernard Smith, Greene Chapel AME Church, Largo

When this happened, God was in heaven and Jesus was sitting at his right hand, watching. God did not cause this catastrophe. But he allowed it to take place.

You have to look at where it happened to understand. Most of the people who were killed were nonbelievers. That entire geographic area, in fact. Some would relate the event to ethnic cleansing.

God said people would perish for lack of knowledge. We serve a loving God. But all these people fell into temptation, and fell away from God. Even the movie stars and models who were trapped over there, they were not of God. So they were not spared.

In my mind, it was already predicted. In Revelations, Chapters 6 and 7, the Bible warns of the four winds that will attack from four corners, hurting the earth and the sea. This is an example of God unleashing those winds.

The safest way to look at this is to say, "God is being glorified from this disaster." We come to God during our worst crises, when we have nowhere else to turn. So this is a way to choose. We've got to choose to come to God.

on your throat until you pray to him. Nice.

I thought he puke must be from COGOP. I know people from that group who believe the same way.

Of course it does make one wonder if God did create all of the people, then why would God cause them to be flawed in their willingness to worship him. It is written that God does this destructive vengeful thing every now and then. It appears as though God gets fed up repeatedly. I wonder if Heaven will be subject to similar temper tantrums as well. Remember God did kick the Devil out of Heaven. So this worshiping thing must go on forever. Sounds pretty Hellish to me.