Roughly Four Out of Ten Americans Believe Disasters Like Japanese Earthquake Directed By God

Roughly four out of ten Americans still like that old testament version of God — full of wrath and fury. A poll by Public Religion Research Institute and Religion News Surveshows that forty percent of our citizens still believe that God directs such disasters like the Japanese earthquake for a purpose. It is not clear what God had against the Japanese, but these citizens believe it was for a divine purpose. They are not alone Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara called the earthquake and tsunami in Japan tembatsu — or “divine judgment”

When Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara called the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan tembatsu — or “divine judgment” — he expressed a kind of theological cause and effect shared by nearly 40 percent of Americans.

While 51 percent did not believe natural disasters are a sign from God, 56 percent believe God is in control of everything that happens in the world. My only weakness in faith is, if that is true, how do you explain that Steven Seagal still gets work? I can accept the occasional divine tsunami but Under Siege II? If that does not shake one’s faith in the Almighty, I do not know what would.

Not surprisingly, the rates were higher for evangelicals. “Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) of white Evangelicals said they believed natural disasters are a sign from God.”

Source: CNN