Real Consequences to Religious Beliefs

The devastation in Haiti is difficult to comprehend through mere images on television. The great suffering that the Haitians are enduring is equally if not more so difficult to grasp. Those that live according to a Christian worldview, who believe that all life has meaning and purpose, no doubt feel moved to reach out in some way. Because of this, many organizations are accepting donations from those who can afford and are willing to contribute to relief efforts.

The media is flooded by ideas and suggestions for what could and should be done in Haiti. In the analysis there is also considerable commentary on the country itself. Questions have been raised about why Haiti, one half of the island of Hispaniola, has great problems that plague it's people and it's culture. While on the opposite side of the island,the Dominican Republic, exists in a vastly different world.

In this week of opinions and analysis, Pat Robertson ignited a firestorm with his comments about Haiti being cursed by God. These words have been repeated and analyzed by many, including a press release by his own ministry. Writers with much greater theological insight than myself have considered and written about his remarks, both for how he was wrong, and how the basis that may have driven Robertson's remarks was right. However you see those remarks, they do serve to open the discussion on the reality of real world consequences to religious beliefs.

John Piper stated a similar view back in April of 2009, on how spiritual beliefs and the lifestyles derived from them can have physical consequences. However, his remarks somehow avoided similar backlash and attacks. There are probably a number of factors to explain the difference in the two comments, not the least of which is how something is said, what is said and who says it.

Tom Gilson, of The Thinking Christian, said Robertson's statements were "...assuming too much freedom to speak for God." I agree. As Christians, we cannot directly identify God's justification or purpose in natural occurrences, like the earthquake in Haiti, anymore than we can the waves on the ocean.

As originally stated, consider what it is that you feel about the situation in Haiti. If you feel lead to give or to go, then do so. If you have a faith that you believe is genuinely real, if you believe that there are real consequences in this physical world for spiritual activities, then begin praying for the Haitians and all those attempting to help. If that isn't your belief, then begin considering what you do believe and why.

One final consideration from Del Tacket, of The Truth Project: "Do You Really Believe That What You Believe Is Really Real?"