THE EDITOR, Sir:I BELIEVE it is a serious misnomer to refer to phenomena such as hurricanes as "natural disasters". A hurricane is merely part of nature's cyclical processes designed by the Creator for the purification and regeneration of the earth and the replenishment of its natural resources. If it results in disaster, it is due entirely to mankind's interventions triggered by sheer greed, selfishness, ignorance and defiance of divine wisdom and instructions.
Every aspect of life is governed by laws. If we violate the laws of physical health, sooner or later we pay the price in sickness, disease and premature death. Disregard moral laws in our social relations with one another and crime and violence take over.
Likewise, if we fail to take account of environmental laws in making decisions for human habitat and the performance of other activities that impact the environment, results such as we are now witnessing following the passage of Hurricane Ivan are inevitable.
It is futile to call upon God to save us from the consequences of the wrong choices we make in life. God is a fixed principle and exercises no discretion in such matters. Contrary to popular religious belief, there is no evidence supporting the idea of a merciful God. Rather, the God of nature operates on the hot stove principle, without favour to anyone. You elect to touch the hot stove and it burns you regardless of who you are.
Mankind benefits or suffers according to decisions taken either individually or collectively. God has equipped us with intelligence as human beings and has made means available to us whereby we may adequately inform ourselves. He will never do for us what we ought to do for ourselves.
Prayer has its proper place, but there is nothing to be gained in a superstitious reliance on it as a substitute for appropriate action of co-operation with the immutable laws of nature. The Bible teaches that God requires obedience to divine principles and precepts and not the performance of religious rituals that are of no avail.
I am, etc.,
A. GREENWOOD
Greater Portmore P.O., St. Catherine
