Good God! Finding Light in the Wake of the Japanese Tsunami

The tragic remains of the Japanese coastal towns devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami seem to offer themselves up to augurs for reading, like tea leaves at the bottom of a cup once the liquid is drained. Some see a vengeful God, punishing mankind for various sins. Others see the hubris of man believing that he can build nuclear reactors to withstand nature, the ultimate big bad wolf. I believe these readings are much like a Rorschach test of the reader's psyche. We see in these remains reflections of our deepest hopes and fears about existence and the meaning of life. What do you see?

Where some might look to heaven for an explanation of the tragedy, I believe such questioning distracts us from unquestionably powerful lessons being taught here on earth. Yes, nature is unpredictable and more powerful than our attempts to conquer it, but where some see a vengeful god, I see powerful good. I see evidence of powerful good in the brave humans who risked their own lives to save another during these darkest hours. I see powerful good in the outpouring of compassion and assistance from people all around the globe. I see powerful good in the video recording of a dog that would not abandon an injured companion left in the debris. What does that dog have that the crashing waves and thundering earth do not? Compassion, empathy, concern for the other, love, even when it is not advantageous to one's own survival, is powerful good.

What is the source of this good that can shine even in the darkest hours? Is it an evolved trait for survival of the species? Is it a gift from a creator? We can debate this for eternity, but I find that adding another "o" to our word "God" satisfies my need to describe the selfless love that a living creature can display for another. The light of good that we each hold can truly brighten the world, and in finding our capacity for good, I believe we find our life's purpose.

 

Comments

[Lisa Kaas Boyle]

12:13 AM on 03/23/2011

@gregory57. I am totally in awe at Creation and agree with E.O. Wilson that one not need to attribute the splendor and complexity of creation to the design of a supernatural being in order to feel absolute wonder and humility at the greatness of the universe. Whether one thinks as a scientist or a theologian, the universe does have laws and mysteries that confound us, making us want to know more. All I know for sure is that I have one lifetime on this wonderful planet, and I want to appreciate it a much as possible while dedicating myself to preserving the wonders I experience for my children and future generations. Maybe I can even clean things up a little before I go. I am thankful that we have the capacity for love that enriches our experience of the world as we share it with others. I am thankful that we have the capacity to empathize and offer comfort to our fellow creatures. We have so many gifts and a relatively long life span in which to enjoy these gifts and to give back. I think the biggest lesson in life is that giving is the greatest gift. Maybe that is the blessing of human consciousness, that we are able to see ourselves in the other- and to reach out to them with love - The Golden Rule. I believe any parent or lover knows for sure that caring for another to this degree is what gives life meaning.

[gregory57]

04:35 PM on 03/22/2011

Calling God vengeful is understandable. Unfortunately, a vengeful God isn't consistent with what we can glean about God's intentions from the universe that we inhabit.

This universe in which God has manifested our consciousness has certain physical laws which must be obeyed. Children learn this early, when they fall and become hurt. Does a vengeful god break the child's arm who falls off the slide in the playground? Or does a benevolent, omnipresent God give that child a precious opportunity to witness the wonder of Creation in a universe where Gravity exists?

A truly omnipresent, omnipotent, infinite God easily manifests consciousness in infinite universes with infinite sets of physical laws. No two of these universes are the same, nor are the challenges that physical vessels of God's awareness (humans, for instance) may encounter in any setting. Not because God wants to hurt us, but because God wills us to witness the totality of God's own Creation . Truly a gift.

[rtgmath]

02:25 PM on 03/22/2011

After the Christmas Tsunami of 2005 I had a great crisis of faith. I never could work it out. Time dulled the pain and shock, though regular shocks have come along since -- 20,000 dead in Pakistani earthquakes, the tsunami in Japan among others.

Yes, there is good in people. I am terribly proud of the Japanese people and their response to the crisis. I wish for them nothing but the best. But it hurts to see them suffer so. I do not expect to get any "answers to life's questions" from this. Rather I hope that we all can learn to rely on each other -- perhaps in spite of faith! -- and work together to create better things and relieve suffering.

Of course, working against this are politicians whose only loyalty is to their corporate sponsors. They seem to be ready to spread suffering rather than relieve it. While I hope for mankind to increase its empathy and awareness, I am more aware of the fact that a certain part of mankind is evil beyond what I have been able to imagine. Other than in spy fiction, of course. That part, so ready to be open, bold, and brashly evil worries me. Good is a potent force. But evil is so much more potent, like poison.

We have to hope that the political poisons of the day do not overwhelm us as we try to do good for others.

[Jana Shearer]

02:41 AM on 03/22/2011

There are no vengeful Gods only vengeful demonic forces who align with vengeful human beings, take the Chinese communist regime for one example. The disasters have been coming thick for about 5 years now and the worst is still yet to come. All these earthquakes and disasters are warnings to human beings. if you have turned your back on Gods, Buddha's and Daos who will take care of you now? only demons.... evolutionary Science has a lot to answer for...

[Lisa Kaas Boyle]

11:13 AM on 03/22/2011

Back to the Rorschach analogy: We see our hopes and fears reflected in this disaster. You fear the end of the world and attribute that to loss of faith and demonic forces. I fear humans becoming an endangered species and attribute that loss to human folly: overpopulation, destruction of resources, creation of toxic waste. Regardless of whether you believe in a creator or not, it makes sense that humans should use our brain power to take care of the earth we have inherited and to leave it healthy for our children and theirs. I cannot attribute vengeance to plate tectonics or tsunamis. I cannot blame humanity, demons or a vengeful God for the rumblings of the planet. I believe that humans have the power and the duty to care for and respect nature and each other. That we each have the capacity to shine beyond ourselves and this is sacred. Like you, I do see warnings. I see warnings not to build nuclear power plants that have the power to kill for generations with their radioactivity, anywhere we could lose power to cool them, and especially in earthquake zones. But I also see that humans can use their brains to learn from mistakes and adapt. I see that humans are willing to sacrifice themselves to cool off nuclear reactors to save others. I see a goodness in human nature that is uplifting and fills me with wonder and hope.

[liberalleetn]

08:51 PM on 03/21/2011

The tradegy in Japan once again shows us that there is more good in this world then bad, more light then there is darkness, more love then there is hate...and that we are all connected and must rely on each other to survive......

[Lisa Kaas Boyle]

10:32 PM on 03/21/2011

Amen to that liberalleetn!