SOBERING DISCIPLINARY WARNINGWritten by Maureen Metcalf
The transition from 2004 to 2005 has been electrifying. The international ramifications of deaths of so many people, and wrecked livelihoods of multitudes of survivors, has brought about an international outpouring of concern and aid in wake of massive earthquake and tsunamis that destroyed coastlines of many nations in southeast Asian region. This response, even toward an area of world which of late has exhibited antagonism toward Christians and Jews, is encouraging, amazing, and comforting. The outpouring of concern, aid, funds, and love, reveals truth that those who have grown up in nations that traditionally adhere to Judeo-Christian ethics understand value of human life, and willingly desire, and are even compelled, to help others in need, even if majority of those affected do not hold same ideologies or religious affiliation. Even those who do not adhere to Christianity or Judaism within many nations have caught urgency, and are willingly giving of their resources to assist in clean-up and rehabilitation. It seems all mankind has been mobilized by this event! Therefore, as often has been historically demonstrated in such disasters, in midst of tragedy, God's love, grace, and mercy are extended, and many people find themselves willing to listen to gospel message. However at same time, many still ask, "Where is God?" ""If God indeed exists, why do tragedies occur?" Or we hear sentiments such as, "A loving God would not let this happen! Therefore, God either does not exist, or He is a big bully! He certainly does not live up to His loving reputation!" So man's perception of God is directly challenged. In minds and hearts of many, since this disaster was caused by natural phenomena rather that either man-made political strife or misplaced idealism, God is singled out. After all, someone must be responsible! In desire for explanation and justice, there must be a perpetrator to accuse. Therefore, for lack of any other suspect, God is blamed! The questions and accusations cannot, and should not, be dismissed. Rather, we must realize these are honest cries of suffering humanity, revealing frustration and anger at apparent injustice of such obviously tragic devastation and loss of life. But, was earthquake and resultant tsunamis an "act of God?" The answers are neither a simple "yes" or "no." Is God really perpetrator? Can we pin this "crime" on Him? And, is mankind totally exempt of any "blame"in face of natural disaster? Is this actually a "crime?" Or is it simply nature out of control? Obviously, planet we live on has its imperfections, or earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanic activity, storms, avalanches, mudslides, and other natural disasters, would never occur. God created this universe and everything in it, and He pronounced it all "good." Therefore, why is it so terribly flawed and dangerous? God Himself is essence of "goodness." He therefore is not author of evil. But He also does not dismiss evil as inconsequential. He is God of righteous justice, and as such, impurity cannot dwell in His Holy presence. Rather, He requires justice be done. In this life, this justice takes form of natural consequence of curse. In that sense, rigors of justice do come from His hand. But He does not create evil. Evil entered in form of deception and disobedience to His directive, therefore, when mankind sinned, perfect balance of this natural world became tainted with imperfection. All creation fell under curse. The curse is not an evil itself, rather it is a consequence of evil. This curse has plagued all creation ever since Adam and Eve sinned. So yes, mankind, by reason of his fallen nature, must take some of responsibility for natural disorder because of sin, and yes, God's justice plays a part also.
| | Wind Farms and CorruptionWritten by Doctor Edward C Hamlyn MBChB
There is only one reason that wind turbines will be built in West Country. Our Press has failed to tell its readers of corruption which stares us in face, but is not seen as such. For example; The target to be met is to produce 10% of our electricity from renewable sources under Kyoto Protocol. That has nothing to do with significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2010, which Government are permitting British industry to increase by 7.5% over next three years. The Rt. Hon. Mike O’Brien claims that economic expansion at a time of growth is far more important than bothering about CO2 emissions. Mr. O’ Brien’s sole concern is to increase by 10%, amount of electricity produced by renewable energy, in form of wind farms. The fact that creation and erection of requisite number of wind turbines will involve emission of far more CO2 than wind farms will ever reduce, is dismissed as being irrelevant. Such twisted logic is just pure corruption - But never mentioned by Press. Nor is vast financial gains to be made by seducing us into accepting these wind farms in our back yard. They will cost a lot of money and huge profits will be made. But unseen and unthought of, is question; “Where will all vast quantity of new money come from?”
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