Calamities and 'God'

I usually do not get into online debates on the issue of religion and 'God' especially with those who strongly assert to be religious. But this time around, in the context of the Visayas earthquake aftermath, I got carried away, not least for statements that compare religions' belief systems and also for claims that natural disasters are "unmistakably signs and warning from the God to mankind to worship only the Creator, not those He created or handcrafted by the hands of man" — which is apparently a critique coming from those who interpret that the predominantly Catholic Filipinos worship statues; thus, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that destroyed the centuries-old heritage churches in Bohol and Cebu was a divine punishment. 

Source: The Shades of Grey

I started observing different religions' public message about natural disasters and tragedies in 2004 in the aftermath of the tsunami and earthquake in Thailand and Indonesia and whose tremors were felt in Malaysia and Singapore. My observation is that among religious groups and organizations, I find the Catholic Church particularly careful of its message. Instead of making pronouncements that these disasters are signs of God's second coming or an act of punishment of the angry and jealous God, the official statement of the church calls for prayers and help for those who died and their grieving loved ones and for those who are in dire need. 

Anyway, here's a copy-paste of the comments that I made:

• I think it's dangerous for any religious organisation to say that calamities are done by 'God' on purpose. Say that, for example, to those suffering. What sentiments would they have towards their religion, towards 'God'??? They might start questioning: why would 'God' allow such tragedy, such misery?

• I believe in a compassionate and merciful God who has given humanity a high degree of free will. I believe that many of the miseries in this world have been caused not by God but by men.

• My approach is to combine faith with science. I feel incompetent to understand the true nature of God (but who among human beings really can?). I believe that there is scope for human planning, engineering, and governance.

• Anyway, I just hope that we do not insensitively reduce this moment of suffering to the unhelpful debates that have now proliferated online such as churches vs mosques vs temples or hollow debates between religious beliefs. The adverse consequences of natural disasters know no religion or class or identity -- everyone is a possible victim of them but the level of vulnerabilities vary. I also hope that we are not quick to judge that those who have been 'punished' to death, misery, trauma, or loss are the 'wicked' ones.

• But going back to the original point of discussion here. My sense is that in our history many of human sufferings and disasters have been man-made or inflicted by humanity. 

• You mentioned about the destruction of nations and civilisations. Well, I argue that it was colonialism and imperialism, mostly by powerful peoples in Europe and the US, that have destroyed nations, cultures, and civilisations -- in some instances, like in the case of the Philippines and Latin America, these were advanced by putting the name of 'God' in vain. In recent history, who destroyed the Mesopotamian civilisation (Iraq)? Aren't they the heartless people in the Pentagon and in the US military-industrial complex who've been playing 'gods'? Who are now threatening to destroy the Persian civilisation (Iran)? Aren't they the same people with material -- and partly ideological -- interests in, among others, making Israel a hegemonic state in the Middle East? Are they not humans who have inflicted the destructive forces of capitalism, imperialism, and colonialism that have been carried on through wars, conflicts, exploitation, and production systems that lead to ecological degradation?

• Sorry but I do not blame God for all these miseries and sufferings.

• The recent earthquake in the Visayas and the destructions it has caused is not a sign of God's wrath on the people who died and the families and friends who are now suffering from the tragedy.

• I would like to appeal to all religious leaders to show compassion and solidarity and humanity at this time of grief and sorrow. Instead of frightening people into some supernatural curse, I hope they call for prayers, reflection, action, and bayanihan

• Reason based on science tells us that earthquakes are natural phenomena; that nobody can predict or stop it; that earthquakes would cause more damages in busy and hugely populated locations like in the Visayas and Metro Manila in the Philippines, Sumatra in Indonesia, downtowns in the US, and parts of Latin America than in the middle of a desert.

• Based on the logic of divine wrath, then, why would 'God' punish harshly peoples who are victims of historical ignorance in the Visayas than those who deliberately and consciously play gods, idolize material things, and worship money in Washington, the Wall Street, capitalist centers, and many parts of the high society among the political-economic-cultural elites? The world is wanting of enlightenment amid all these blatant injustices and morally intolerable realities. Where is the so-called divine justice in all these?