Japan disaster

[watchman 2]

Watching the news. Boy this disaster in Japan is horrifying. 10K + dead? This is far worse than I expected. Nuclear meltdown? Pray that this will be prevented. But the most important prayer is for souls to be saved as a result of this disaster.


John

[1 Watchman]

Yes, we should pray that many of those idol worshippers, and others who are ignorant about God will get concerned about their eternal souls. Our fellowship has several assemblies in central and south Japan and all are reported safe now. The damage seems to be in the north.

- 1 Watchman

[moonglow]

Yes, we should pray that many of those idol worshippers, and others who are ignorant about God will get concerned about their eternal souls. Our fellowship has several assemblies in central and south Japan and all are reported safe now. The damage seems to be in the north.

- 1 Watchman

Lets not start this already...Christians...who are suppose to be kind and compassionate did the same thing to those in Haiti while they were still people alive crushed under their homes...they started this throwing stones at them while these people are still in a state of shock...cold, hungry..broken hearted and injuried and this is what we offer them? Just cold judgment. Makes me sick sometimes at the lack of just plain human compassion shown.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/0...ragedy/?hpt=C2

Indeed, where Christianity, Judaism or Islam are often preoccupied with causes of disaster - the questions of why God would allow an earthquake, for example - Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Shinto focus on behavior in reaction to tragedy.

“It’s very important in Japanese life to react in a positive way, to be persistent and to clean up in the face of adversity, and their religions would emphasize that,” says University College Cork’s Bocking. “They’ll say we have to develop a powerful, even joyful attitude in the face of adversity.” (sounds like this verse:1 Peter 1:6-7)

Japan’s major religious groups are still developing responses to the disaster, but experts say the impulse toward maintaining a positive outlook will likely translate into calls for Japanese to help friends and neighbors clean up and rebuild. (sounds like Mark 12:31-32)

Many young Japanese have left Buddhism, accusing priests of profiting from grief because of their paid roles in burials. Critics say the priests spend money from funerals on temples without playing a broader role in society.

“The earthquake is an opportunity for Buddhist priests to step up and show they are still relevant,” says Nelson. “Young people just aren’t buying it anymore.”

ThankYouForPraying
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-571728?hpt=C2
CNN producer note

'I was deeply moved to see the news of other countries contributing to support Japan,' said Goomichi. 'I wanted to put this feeling out in my own way, by using "#Prayforjapan," which got into the news in Twitter.'
- rachel8, CNN iReport producer
iReport —

Thank you for praying.

My place was not much damaged.
But, the disaster is still coming to other areas, especially in the Tohoku area.
The concept of this video is to tell you that we are alive, have smile and want to say thank you.
People in this video tried to collect contributions on the street for the Tohoku area.
We are under the anxiety, but I think that we can help each other with smiles even in such matter.
We are also praying and we are doing what we can do for Japan.
So please, we need your help.

I am praying for them because they are our neighbor.

God bless

[watchman 2]

I agree we need to show love and compassion to them. But at the same time this may be an act of God against them. John MacArthur hinted at the Hati disaster being a judgment by God. He got flanked for saying that I bet, I know many responded negatively on my FaceBook page, but he is right. God may judge the San Francisco Bay Area next.

Lets not start this already...Christians...who are suppose to be kind and compassionate did the same thing to those in Haiti while they were still people alive crushed under their homes...they started this throwing stones at them while these people are still in a state of shock...cold, hungry..broken hearted and injuried and this is what we offer them? Just cold judgment. Makes me sick sometimes at the lack of just plain human compassion shown.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/0...ragedy/?hpt=C2

Indeed, where Christianity, Judaism or Islam are often preoccupied with causes of disaster - the questions of why God would allow an earthquake, for example - Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Shinto focus on behavior in reaction to tragedy.

“It’s very important in Japanese life to react in a positive way, to be persistent and to clean up in the face of adversity, and their religions would emphasize that,” says University College Cork’s Bocking. “They’ll say we have to develop a powerful, even joyful attitude in the face of adversity.” (sounds like this verse:1 Peter 1:6-7)

Japan’s major religious groups are still developing responses to the disaster, but experts say the impulse toward maintaining a positive outlook will likely translate into calls for Japanese to help friends and neighbors clean up and rebuild. (sounds like Mark 12:31-32)

Many young Japanese have left Buddhism, accusing priests of profiting from grief because of their paid roles in burials. Critics say the priests spend money from funerals on temples without playing a broader role in society.

“The earthquake is an opportunity for Buddhist priests to step up and show they are still relevant,” says Nelson. “Young people just aren’t buying it anymore.”

ThankYouForPraying
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-571728?hpt=C2
CNN producer note

'I was deeply moved to see the news of other countries contributing to support Japan,' said Goomichi. 'I wanted to put this feeling out in my own way, by using "#Prayforjapan," which got into the news in Twitter.'
- rachel8, CNN iReport producer
iReport —

Thank you for praying.

My place was not much damaged.
But, the disaster is still coming to other areas, especially in the Tohoku area.
The concept of this video is to tell you that we are alive, have smile and want to say thank you.
People in this video tried to collect contributions on the street for the Tohoku area.
We are under the anxiety, but I think that we can help each other with smiles even in such matter.
We are also praying and we are doing what we can do for Japan.
So please, we need your help.

I am praying for them because they are our neighbor.

God bless

[Firefighter]

You wonder why you don't have peace. You wonder why you do not play well with others. You wonder why your efforts seem to largely go unfruitful and unnoticed. You excuse it with "being a stressed person", "personality differences", and hide behind your interpretation of scripture preferring to be "biblical over effective". Your heart is hard as stone. You can't even imagine exposing yourself to the possibility of lowering yourself enough to share another's pain, or to have compassion on the weak, the misled, and those captive to their sins. How quickly you have forgotten that you too were once guilty of the very things you are so quick to pronounce God's judgement and wrath upon. You imagine doing great things for God, but do not yet realize that you must be willing to lower yourself so that He can raise you up to do those great things. Until you give the Spirit room to grow and eventually bear fruit in you, everything you do will be an exercise in futility. Until you rely on Him, and not some author you admire, this is the status quo. Until you start allowing the Lord to conform you in His image and allowing His love, mercy and compassion to work through you, nothing is going to change. You will repeat this lesson until you get it if it takes you your whole life here on earth. God is waiting on you. He has things he wants you to do, but it is entirely up to you if you decide to stay here where you currently are or you move onward and upward for His glory.

[RabbiKnife]

If I hear one more Christian say that "maybe this is God's judgment on the heathen idol worshipping Japanenes," I'm going to start throwing stuff, and if won't be pretty.

[Vhayes]

But we LIKE being smug.

No one mentions the tornadoes that rip through the heartland. Is that a judgement? Or the hurricanes that torment the coastal areas. Or the floods that wipe out farms and kill livestock.

Hearts, people. Have a heart.

No one wants Christ because they do not SEE Him in those calling on His name.

Lord have mercy.

[Firefighter]

Or the hurricanes that torment the coastal areas.

Katrina was judgement because of Mardis Gras... surely you remember that. Christians can never let a good tragedy go to waste.

[RabbiKnife]

Then why is it that God targets so many Baptist and Methodist and Assembly of GOd churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri?

Must not be tithing enough.

[TomH]

Then why is it that God targets so many Baptist and Methodist and Assembly of GOd churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri?

Must not be tithing enough.

Being a lawyer, I thought you'd understand.

They've obviously been arrested and incarcerated awaiting trial and final judgement.
Their tithing just hasn't been enough to meet bail.
Even if they met bail, they'll remain under close scrutiny until trial begins.

Unfortunately, these are all the results of "Citizens arrest" by self appointed police.

Let's just take Japan, Haiti, and all the wayward churches, straight to the hanging tree, and save God some time at the final judgement.

[Slina]

There's this trolling video going around that someone made that's pretty much in the same spirit as the OP and first reply: "Wow, thank God for this horrible tragedy that resulted in a huge loss of lives and probably thousands of people going to eternity with or without Christ. Finally the survivors will have to meet their maker! God is so good." I saw that video turn up on multiple secular communities, and what do you think the general consensus was about it? It sure didn't provide a good witness about Christ, much less any of his followers, I can tell you that.

That's just one of the things that bugs me about the Christian world though. When natural disasters strike unbelievers, it's just an act of God to make them repent. When those same disasters hit Christians though, that's when the concern starts, and suddenly it's all about helping the Christians caught in this terrible act of God. I know we're not all like that, but I seriously wish I didn't see so much of that attitude in the church. Tragedy is tragedy, no matter who it affects. If anything, I'd think we'd be doubly sad when it's unbelievers who die in these disasters, since that only means they're now doomed to an eternity in judgment. How is that ever something to rejoice about?

[moonglow]

There's this trolling video going around that someone made that's pretty much in the same spirit as the OP and first reply: "Wow, thank God for this horrible tragedy that resulted in a huge loss of lives and probably thousands of people going to eternity with or without Christ. Finally the survivors will have to meet their maker! God is so good." I saw that video turn up on multiple secular communities, and what do you think the general consensus was about it? It sure didn't provide a good witness about Christ, much less any of his followers, I can tell you that.

That's just one of the things that bugs me about the Christian world though. When natural disasters strike unbelievers, it's just an act of God to make them repent. When those same disasters hit Christians though, that's when the concern starts, and suddenly it's all about helping the Christians caught in this terrible act of God. I know we're not all like that, but I seriously wish I didn't see so much of that attitude in the church. Tragedy is tragedy, no matter who it affects. If anything, I'd think we'd be doubly sad when it's unbelievers who die in these disasters, since that only means they're now doomed to an eternity in judgment. How is that ever something to rejoice about?

Sounds like something Fred Phelps would put out there..sadly there are more and more 'Christians' that think like he does and even agrees with his twisted teachings. Who wants to be a Christian if it means stabbing people's spirits to death while they lay physical dying? I can't blame them for turning away from our faith with representatives like that.

The disaster in Japan couldn't just happened to have happened because they live near some major fault lines.. It has to be an act of God. If this happens to Christians then its the devils fault...

RabbiKnife


Then why is it that God targets so many Baptist and Methodist and Assembly of GOd churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri?

Must not be tithing enough.

you forgot Kansas. We are expecting a very violent spring season this year...cause that is just the way things roll around here..especially after having several mild spring storms...but I am sure we did something bad here too. I will be sure to give that information to those walking around dazed after losing their homes and loved one.. and if it happens to be me, I will be sure to blame myself for not being totally sinless all the time.

ugh.

[watchman 2]

Thats exactly why I said I do not know.

[watchman 2]

You are judging my motives and are very much out of line for doing so. You do not know my spirit nor my heart. My prayer and compassion is with these people.

There's this trolling video going around that someone made that's pretty much in the same spirit as the OP and first reply: "Wow, thank God for this horrible tragedy that resulted in a huge loss of lives and probably thousands of people going to eternity with or without Christ. Finally the survivors will have to meet their maker! God is so good." I saw that video turn up on multiple secular communities, and what do you think the general consensus was about it? It sure didn't provide a good witness about Christ, much less any of his followers, I can tell you that.

That's just one of the things that bugs me about the Christian world though. When natural disasters strike unbelievers, it's just an act of God to make them repent. When those same disasters hit Christians though, that's when the concern starts, and suddenly it's all about helping the Christians caught in this terrible act of God. I know we're not all like that, but I seriously wish I didn't see so much of that attitude in the church. Tragedy is tragedy, no matter who it affects. If anything, I'd think we'd be doubly sad when it's unbelievers who die in these disasters, since that only means they're now doomed to an eternity in judgment. How is that ever something to rejoice about?

[doug3]

BBC reports (March 14 11:28 pm CST) that radiation levels at the Fukushima nuclear facility (6 reactors) have risen to such a level that workers have been withdrawn. The situation looks very bad.

Further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12755739