Where was the Satanist? - A Commentary on the Aftermath of Katrina
I was minding my own business, just enjoying the conversation in an AOL chatroom on the politics of the hurricane. All of a sudden, I got an IM from someone in the group who had recognized my screen name. This person was one of the tricky ones. He started out by asking me if I was religious. I explained that I was and that I was a reverend. He asked me the oft spoken question:
"Where was God when this happened?"
I was not surprised. This question has been the topic of radio talk shows and internet chatrooms since the hurricane hit. I did not know a thing about this person or their beliefs. I just took a stab at it and said:
"Why do we always ask where God was in a time of trouble? You rarely hear people talking about how God was with them during the happy times or in times of personal triumph. You always hear the call for God in times of trouble.
Yes, the hurricane is a natural event, so some will say that God brought it to the United States. However, the tragedy is man-made. Why? If you are a believer at all, you believe that God gave man free will. Thus, it was man's free will to build the city where it stands, below sea level. It was man's free will to build levees and to realize that they needed maintenance. It was man's free will to allocate the funds for something else rather than shoring up those levees.
It is sad that while the believers are looking for God, the political liberals are screaming that President Bush should have been a Hans Brinker with his fingers in the dikes. While everyone is looking for some superman for help or to blame, it comes down to the fact that man had the free will to change things before the tragedy happened. It was not up to anyone's God to stop the storm or dam up the water. There are numerous ways the problem could have been ameliorated, but that would have required pre-planning on man's part.
It is easy to blame well-known politicians, but if you have a flood in your bathroom, you do not call your congressman. You call a plumber or fix it yourself. It is your home. It is sad that this attitude was not taken before this tragedy occurred. You cannot blame God or the President or someone in Minnesota. You can now work together to help these people and do God's work on earth which is taking care of the innocent."
I paused. I figured that I might get a come-back question. I was not disappointed.
"You don't believe in God, then?" he wrote.
"I did not say that," I explained. "One's religious beliefs are very important to the individual and can actually help a person get through tedious times like that. But, it is one thing to look to God for support and another thing to blame a deity or just sit there and expect Him to solve your problem that men created."
There was a long pause. Then came his K O punch. "Nice words, Mrs Allee. But just where was the Satanist when all this happened?"
I could almost see the sneer right on the screen in front of me. Okay, I had had to defend the Christian God and the President already this morning. I guess it would be time to bring in the "S" card. I realized that a snide comment would not help matters or improve the image of Satanists in the community. I also realized I better have a very good answer.
"I don't know you," I began tentatively. "But I have a picture of John as a young man in national guard uniform when he went to his own hometown for an emergency situation in Chelsea. It is one of my favorite pictures of him. He had stopped at his aunt's house, and she snapped a picture. So, at that time for that emergency, the Satanist was in the national guard, helping to ease the situation. I am sure there are other Satanists in the national guard today, in the army, and the Red Cross, waiting to do their duty.
Where were the Satanists in New Orleans? Probably in the same boat as anyone else. Hoping to find a way to keep themselves and their family alive. You may find them still working on their job as so many dedicated individuals are, or maybe they did not make it and we will never know. But, I know in my heart, that every individual who believes that they carry a divine spark in themselves tried their best to get out and save their families. That is something I do believe in.
I am sure that you wonder where the pagans were. They were doing the same thing. In fact, I think most people were using the brains and bodies that you believe God gave them to the best of their abilities, whatever religion they followed, if any at all."
Long pause. Then came another question. "You are that sure of what you believe in?"
That was a loaded question that deserved a detailed answer.
"I believe that the majority of people will do their best in a bad situation to help themselves and others. Certainly not all are physically or mentally able to handle that kind of strain. I don't believe that there is a big difference in whether the people are black or white, rich or poor, Christian or pagan. These people are still people. The majority will try their best, and a small minority will embarrass themselves and others. The fully functioning person will look for solutions. The lesser functioning individual will look for scapegoats.
I wish it were different. I want to go and help save people. But I am not there and I am not qualified. What I think I am qualified to do is to tell you what I believe. The people looking for God are sometimes looking in the wrong places. I simply ask that they look for God in the people who are going in to help others and risking their own lives. Look for God in those amazing individuals at Charity Hospital in New Orleans that are staying on the job, despite no food, water or electricity and desperately trying to keep their patients alive. Look for God in the police and fire fighters who decided to stay on the job no matter what. Look for God in the people of Texas who are taking in the victims of this disaster. Look for God in the university officials that are helping students go to classes elsewhere so they do not lose a semester of learning. Look for God in the face of a mother who has found her child. Look for God in a father who is helping other people get saved.
My dear, the question is no longer where was God, but becomes where is God? We can argue that the help is taking too long or that it is not enough but when it all comes down to it, your God is there. Just stop looking up in the clouds and start looking at the people."
Another long pause. Finally, the IMer wrote some words that I will always remember.
"Thank you for reminding me to follow my own faith. I did not expect that from you, and now I have nothing to say."
I sent him a cyber hug. He then clicked offline. I don't know who he was. I have wondered if it were one of John's detractors, or a Christian looking to debate, or just someone who wanted a healthy argument.
It does not matter in the end what religion he was, or who he was. I just hoped I helped him with getting some questions answered.
He made me think of something. It is really not productive to speculate on why bad things happen. We have no control over natural disasters. No matter how technically advanced we become, we will still have earthquakes and tornados. Bridges will break and buildings will fall. We cannot control these things. But what we can control is our reactions to them.
This is not the time to think of "what if" and "whose fault." There will be time for that later. Right now, we have to act responsibly and think logically. Help the people out and protect the innocent. Then we can all try and figure out a way so this does not happen again. We will not be able to stop the hurricane, but we can be better prepared for it when the unthinkable happens. Remember that what does not kill us, will make us stronger.
copyright 2005 JDA/LCA First Church of Satan http://churchofsatan.org
Please think about donating to help the victims of this storm, and there are more people affected than just those in New Orleans. Depending on your area and expertise, you may be able to donate your time. Check to see if you can house a student if your local university is taking in displaced students. Do what you can. And don't be fooled into thinking it's "them" not us that are affected. These are Americans, our neighbors and fellow citizens. We can help our own. For those who want a pagan-specific charitable organization, we suggest the one below.
Many people are asking what are legitimate organizations to work with to support the rescue and recovery efforts -- here is an excellent opportunity!
From Officers of Avalon:
Who are the Officers of Avalon?
Officers of Avalon began in December 1999 as an online discussion group for law enforcement officers who follow pagan spiritual paths. Today OOA represents Pagans who work as police officers and other professionals in the emergency services. Officers of Avalon wants to show the world that we follow valid and respectable spiritual paths. (Their goal is) to show the people of the free world that some of the people who are defending that freedom are Pagans like us. (They) provide a support network for those Pagans within the emergency services who do not yet feel that they can safely make their Pagan beliefs public. Members include individuals from several countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA.
Announcing "Avalon Cares!"
Officers of Avalon is collecting funds for those who have lost their homes and livelihood in New Orleans. All monies we receive will be forwarded to charity organizations helping to provide emergency aid to the survivors of this natural catastrophe. Help us make a difference! Give generously! (They took in over two thousands dollars in the first 24 hours)
Hurricane Katrina's toll on communities, homes and lives has devastated the nation. Now victims must face the daunting question of where to go next and we can help.
Tens of thousands of newly homeless families are being bused to a stadium in Houston, where they may wait for weeks or months. At least 80,000 are competing for area shelters, and countless more are in motels, cars, or wherever they can stay out of the elements. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross are scrambling to find shelter for the displaced. They've launched an emergency national housing drive to connect your empty beds with hurricane victims who desperately need a place to wait out the storm. You can post your offer of housing (a spare room, extra bed, even a decent couch) and search for available housing online at: http://www.hurricanehousing.org
Housing is most urgently needed within reasonable driving distance (about 300 miles) of the affected areas in the Southeast, especially New Orleans. Please forward this message to anyone you know in the region who might be able to help.
But no matter where you live, your housing could still make a world of difference to a person or family in need, so please offer what you can. The process is simple:
* You can sign up to become a host by posting a description of whatever housing you have available, along with contact information. You can change or remove your offer at any time.
* Hurricane victims, local and national relief organizations, friends and relatives can search the site for housing. They'll do everything they can to get your offers where they are needed most. Many shelters actually already have Internet access, but folks without 'net access can still make use of the site through case workers and family members.
* Hurricane victims or relief agencies will contact hosts and together decide if it's a good match and make the necessary travel arrangements. The host's address is not released until a particular match is agreed on.
If hosting doesn't work for you, please consider donating to the Red Cross to help with the enormous tasks of rescue and recovery. You can give online at: http://www.redcross.org
As progressives, we share a core belief that we are all in this together, and today is an important chance to put that idea to work. There are thousands of families who have just lost everything and need a place to stay dry. Let's do what we can to help. http://www.hurricanehousing.org Thanks for being there when it matters most.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) listed the following agencies as needing cash to assist hurricane victims:
- American Red Cross, 800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English, 800-257-7575 Spanish
- Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348
- America's Second Harvest, 800-344-8070
- Adventist Community Services, 800-381-7171
- Catholic Charities, USA, 703-549-1390
- Christian Disaster Response, 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554
- Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, 800-848-5818
- Church World Service, 800-297-1516
- Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998
- Lutheran Disaster Response, 800-638-3522
- Mennonite Disaster Service, 717-859-2210
- Nazarene Disaster Response, 888-256-5886
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283
- Salvation Army, 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
- Southern Baptist Convention - Disaster Relief, 800-462-8657, ext. 6440
- United Methodist Committee on Relief. 800-554-8583