A week after the tsunami hit in Asia, and the debate has already started.. Here's how it goes -

Does the tsunami, and all the death and destruction as a result of it, mean that God exists or that God doesn't? Was it an act of God - an event brought about by Him to test the kindness, generosity and compassion of the 'faithful' - or was it an act of Nature - something that any compassionate God should have prevented?

I first heard people talking about this on a program called Heaven & Earth on British TV. Their three guests, that would join them in this debate, were a female Hindu - whom had lost a relative at the hands of the tsunami - a male Christian, and an Atheist. Now, if you take into consideration that both of the interviewers are religious people, then the odds are slightly unfair, but I digress.

Now the Hindu woman went on to explain that it was not an act of God, simply an act of Nature, but the tsunami does not prove that God doesn't exist. In Hinduism, death is just another part of life - a 'closing chapter' - and that God would not prevent death because death is just the next stage of their existance.

The Christian man said that either it was an act of God, brought about to test the compassion of people on Earth and prove themselves to God, or that it was just an act of Nature but that God does not involve himself in our lives anymore, because Jesus sacrificed his life for us, and that we are on our own until Armageddon/Heaven/whatever.

The Atheist simply said that it doesn't prove or disprove the existence of God. He stated that nobody could ever disprove or prove the existence of God, but that anybody with an open mind could give evidence for both sides - anyone could argue that God does or doesn't exist, and put forward a convincing arguement. But, based on the evidence, he thinks that God doesn't exist, and the recent tragedies in Asia simply backup his belief that there is no God, and even if there is, he is not a kind, loving, forgiving God, or he would not allow such things to occur.

Now, my mum watched this TV show, also, and she is a religious person that strongly believes in God. But, she said, the recent events in Asia have made her strongly question her beliefs, and that out of the three guests on this TV show, the Atheist made the most sense, and that his view was the most unselfish - he simply wanted to help, whether or not it was an act of God, Nature, or the Apocolypse. Also, the Archbishop has also stated that these events have made him question his faith.

So, without me argueing for either side, I want to ask you guys what your opinion is. Thanks
GHoSToKeR Reviewed by GHoSToKeR on . Act of God????????????????????? A week after the tsunami hit in Asia, and the debate has already started.. Here's how it goes - Does the tsunami, and all the death and destruction as a result of it, mean that God exists or that God doesn't? Was it an act of God - an event brought about by Him to test the kindness, generosity and compassion of the 'faithful' - or was it an act of Nature - something that any compassionate God should have prevented? I first heard people talking about this on a program called Heaven & Rating: 5