I don’t want to draw attention away from the horrible events that are still unfolding in Japan. First the earthquake of epic proportions then the tsunami. Now the threat of nuclear radiation as the effects of the fire in a Japanese nuclear power plant is still unclear. This is a horrible situation for those directly involved in Japan as well as for those around the world that have family in the affected areas. I appeal to everyone to include these people in your prayers, because now more than ever in their lives they need them! I will be, as well as everyone else, will be watching closely as the aftermath stories unfold. This is a terrible natural disaster that no matter how hard one prepares for these things possibly happening in their lives you cannot be totally prepared for the horrible reality once it sets in. I pray that it seems worse than it actually is, but I’m a realist and know that more often than not it is actually worse than it looks. Again my prayers go out to everyone touched by such a tragedy.
However following my social networks I’ve seen a two common threads happening…from both sides. First and foremost I want to address those that are saying things like why spend money or send relief to another country while people are hurting right here in America. Along those lines I’ve seen comments coming from ignorant people saying that remember that Japan once attacked the United States starting World War II. It is to you people that feel this way I would like to comment…the ignorance and self centeredness of mankind never ceases to amaze me. First off Japan attacking America did bring the United States into WWII, but it did not start WWII. The Japan of that time is not the same Japan as now. To say let those people suffer because of an act in past history is asinine. Those making those ignorant statements were not even a thought during WWII in their grandparents mind so to make statements like that is irresponsible to say the least. Then to those that say to hell with helping other nations because of the problems here is also ignorant. Granted I’m all for cutting spending…anyone with common sense is…and granted sending money to countries just to handle their problems in a non-natural disaster situation can be re-evaluated and eliminated. This is different as was the situation in Haiti. No one caused these disasters, no one expected these disasters. It is our duties as a nation to offer a reasonable amount of help mainly with rescue resources and of course a reasonable amount of money to help the rescue effort. It is the humanitarian thing to do. Of course with money I think the amounts should be smaller than often given and appeal to the humanitarian spirit of the American people to help contribute as well. To turn our back on a country in need during a natural disaster is just plain wrong. How would you feel if America had a disaster of this magnitude and you were trapped in the rubble needing live saving help and the rest of the world said piss off America you are on your own? In a time of economic crisis yes this kind of spending seems like it cannot be afforded by us as a nation and at times I question it myself, but I would rather be in debt spending money to help the victims of the Japan disasters than be in debt and spending money on a nation killer like Obamacare!
Then you have those relating what is happening as a sign of the end. As a catholic I strongly believe in the book of Revelations and the wrath of God when all of his warnings are ignored. Do these events signal the beginning of the end…I don’t know…no one knows? I do believe that now at this point in time we are closer to the end now more than ever and it never hurts to prepare one’s soul for the point in life we come face to face with God. After all you will never know when your time is up and death comes knocking! These disasters could very well mark the beginning of the end, but like I said I’m unsure if they do and after all doesn’t the bible state that we WILL KNOW without a doubt when the time of Revelations is unfolding around us. Personally I take these as a series of final warnings from God. Warnings to be prepared and renew your faith in God. It is no coincidence that over the past recent years we have seen natural disasters seem to get more and more violent. Don’t dismiss them to seem more terrible just because of increased technology in news reporting and the availability of the internet to spread the word. There is a reason why we now have the ability to see more of what happens around the world I think. It’s because when God sends out warnings the rest of the world WILL see them in hopes that we will start to mend our ways and turn back to honoring God. We cannot let the fear of the possible end of the world as we know it (I don’t believe that the end of the world means total destruction of the planet, but a drastic change in life to totally be devoted to God)send us away in fear. Evil thrives on fear…no we must live life to its fullest and pray to renew our personal relationships with God making them stronger.
Again I do not want to take away from the tragedy in Japan…it’s horrible and they need our help and our prayers. They need to be kept in our thoughts as they recover. We cannot turn our backs on them, nor can we let the tragedy they face be nothing more than a trigger to send us into paranoia about the end.
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