Monday, September 05, 2005

Hurricane Tests Our Compassion

Below is something I wrote recently on another website in response to a lot of postings there that were critical of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Among other things, the writers were saying the victims in New Orleans should have known better and heeded advice to evacuate the city, that it was because of their poor behavior that relief supplies were not delivered in a more timely fashion and that they are being too dependent on the government to help them out.

There is undoubtedly some truth in those criticisms, but the mean tone behind the assessments disturbed me.

This is how I responded:

I get a little sad and disappointed when I see all the harsh-toned judgments being put against the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It seems to me the folks casting those harsh opinions have little or no idea of what it was like to be in the position of the victims.

How many of us have ever been residents of an entire city needing to be evacuated within hours? Do we have any idea of what it is like to be in that situation?

Yes, of course many of the victims made errors in judgment, errors that are much more obvious in retrospect, but that is usually the nature of tragedies. Many of those casting the harsh tones may get in a bind themselves one day for one reason or another and when that happens there will undoubtedly be some errors of judgment involved. Is that a good reason for onlookers to be less compassionate?

I'm not suggesting criminal activity should be tolerated or not treated strictly, but it can be addressed with compassion and without cruelty at the same time.

Fear is a great impediment to sound judgment and often leads to poor behavior. Can any of us comprehend the extent of fear that was unleashed by Hurricane Katrina and the unprecedented flooding afterward?

Imagine being herded with thousands of others into the Superdome at the government's recommendation, the doors shut, the lights go out and then in darkness the roar from outside gets louder and louder, the walls start shaking and pieces of the ceiling are sucked right through the roof and rain starts pouring in. And you are in that situation for hours. How quickly will you shake off that fear? And not even having food or water as a minimal amount of comfort.

Does anyone reading this, tucked safe in front of their computer screen have any comprehension? I believe it goes beyond the imagination of anyone not there.

It is common for onlookers of a tragedy to cast blame on the victims. I think it helps people feel more comfortable about not doing everything they can to help.

And you know what, this might offend some people, but I believe the world would be in better shape when compassion is not reserved for certain classes of people and can be shared among even those who make mistakes, even terrible mistakes.

Some who are reading this call themselves Christians. To me, being a Christian isn't about going to church or reciting verses of the Bible. it is about living life as Jesus Christ might have.

Would Jesus Christ be standing apart from the victims of this tragedy and listing all the things they did wrong and the reasons some of the victims don't deserve sympathy?

Perhaps it is us, who mercifully remain at a safe distance from the devastation, who are being tested in ways more gentle but just as significant as those in the middle of it.

David

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

To; David
From; Carol Ann (Rosue) Gallegos
Carol’s Journal
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/journal_view.php?journalid=317146&view=public

3:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God
-by, Carol Ann (Rouse) Gallegos
I am one with God
God is the energy that can not be created or destroyed.
He is the energy that was here before the big bang.
He is the energy that will be here long after your body is dust.
God is the energy that brings the atoms and molecules together to create solid matter
God is the energy that gives you life. The Holy Ghost.
You are a part of that energy. You are one with GOD.
When you work against that energy (by stealing), you’re working against your self.
All the basic Newtonian laws of physics apply to the spiritual realm
realm as well.
Think about your KARMA.
Remember that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.
In every tribe, in every group of people there are seers, sages, psychics, holy men who converse with god. These men read Gods pure thoughts. There are no words. God doesn’t speak any particular language. Although he can speak all languages. These Holy Men translate Gods pure thoughts into their own language and filter it through their own culture and customs and then form a religion around these thoughts. All religions are based on these same ideas. But each translation comes out just a little bit different. One religion may call it Karma while another may call it the golden rule. But originally it was the same idea or thought. Religions all were formed in order to teach men to strive to be more god like. It said that Jesus is “the way, the light.” I translate that to mean, He knows the way to enlightenment. Jesus said, “follow me and I will make your path straight” What he meant was that if you follow his example your road through life will be smother or easier. Jesus has empowered you to perform miracles. Jesus said, “these things (miracles) that I do so can you and more” Religion is not just a tool to control the masses but a way to learn to be better people, more God like.
I guess that it would help to better understand the basic Newtonian laws of physics so that you can learn how to manipulate the energy in your live to your benefit. The Newtonian laws of physics are the scientific laws of motion. For example, a body in motion will continue to be in motion unless another force acts against it. It also includes inertia and kinetic energy = potential energy.
There are rule like the 10 commandments. And we know were suposta follow these rules, because they’re the rules. Right?
But the reason to follow these rules is not just because they told me to, but because all the energy of the universe is connected. That energy is in every atom and molecule. Therefore everything is effected by the way the energy flows. That energy is effected by the basic scientific Newtonian laws of physics. Not just that “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” as in KARMA, but inertia for example, is like when something is going in a certain direction it will continue in that direction unless another energy acts against it. Let’s say that someone is doing pretty well in life. Every thing seems to be going in a good direction. And then, he gets in a car wreck, or gets fired from his job (another energy acting against him) changes his direction. Man has the ability to use his willpower to change his life’s direction too. He is not just at the mercy of the winds of change.

You must be careful to not hang out with the wrong friends too, or else you may get sucked in the vacuum end up going the wrong direction. You may find yourself riding along in a stolen car for example, when the car thief gets pulled over, all of you go to jail, not just the driver. Don’t condone negative behavior. Stand up for what you know is right, even when it’s not popular.
by, Carol Ann (Rouse) Gallegos


ROB BREZSNEY SACRED ADVERTISEMENT
Evil is boring. The universe is friendly. Life is on your side. Joy is your birthright. Cynicism is idiotic. Fear is a bad habit. Despair is lazy. In fact, all of creation wants you to succeed. Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes to assist you in turning into the gorgeous masterpiece you were born to be. Retrain your senses and intellect so you’re able to perceive the fact that life always gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.


“If there were no creator There would be nothing created.”
by, Carol Ann (Rouse) Gallegos
12246 Palmer Road
Nevada City, California
95959-9240 USA

4:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God
-by, Carol Ann (Rouse) Gallegos
I am one with God
God is the energy that can not be created or destroyed.
He is the energy that was here before the big bang.
He is the energy that will be here long after your body is dust.
God is the energy that brings the atoms and molecules together to create solid matter
God is the energy that gives you life. The Holy Ghost.
You are a part of that energy. You are one with GOD.
When you work against that energy (by stealing), you’re working against your self.
All the basic Newtonian laws of physics apply to the spiritual realm
realm as well.
Think about your KARMA.
Remember that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.
In every tribe, in every group of people there are seers, sages, psychics, holy men who converse with god. These men read Gods pure thoughts. There are no words. God doesn’t speak any particular language. Although he can speak all languages. These Holy Men translate Gods pure thoughts into their own language and filter it through their own culture and customs and then form a religion around these thoughts. All religions are based on these same ideas. But each translation comes out just a little bit different. One religion may call it Karma while another may call it the golden rule. But originally it was the same idea or thought. Religions all were formed in order to teach men to strive to be more god like. It said that Jesus is “the way, the light.” I translate that to mean, He knows the way to enlightenment. Jesus said, “follow me and I will make your path straight” What he meant was that if you follow his example your road through life will be smother or easier. Jesus has empowered you to perform miracles. Jesus said, “these things (miracles) that I do so can you and more” Religion is not just a tool to control the masses but a way to learn to be better people, more God like.
I guess that it would help to better understand the basic Newtonian laws of physics so that you can learn how to manipulate the energy in your live to your benefit. The Newtonian laws of physics are the scientific laws of motion. For example, a body in motion will continue to be in motion unless another force acts against it. It also includes inertia and kinetic energy = potential energy.
There are rule like the 10 commandments. And we know were suposta follow these rules, because they’re the rules. Right?
But the reason to follow these rules is not just because they told me to, but because all the energy of the universe is connected. That energy is in every atom and molecule. Therefore everything is effected by the way the energy flows. That energy is effected by the basic scientific Newtonian laws of physics. Not just that “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” as in KARMA, but inertia for example, is like when something is going in a certain direction it will continue in that direction unless another energy acts against it. Let’s say that someone is doing pretty well in life. Every thing seems to be going in a good direction. And then, he gets in a car wreck, or gets fired from his job (another energy acting against him) changes his direction. Man has the ability to use his willpower to change his life’s direction too. He is not just at the mercy of the winds of change.

You must be careful to not hang out with the wrong friends too, or else you may get sucked in the vacuum end up going the wrong direction. You may find yourself riding along in a stolen car for example, when the car thief gets pulled over, all of you go to jail, not just the driver. Don’t condone negative behavior. Stand up for what you know is right, even when it’s not popular.
by, Carol Ann (Rouse) Gallegos


ROB BREZSNEY SACRED ADVERTISEMENT
Evil is boring. The universe is friendly. Life is on your side. Joy is your birthright. Cynicism is idiotic. Fear is a bad habit. Despair is lazy. In fact, all of creation wants you to succeed. Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes to assist you in turning into the gorgeous masterpiece you were born to be. Retrain your senses and intellect so you’re able to perceive the fact that life always gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.


“If there were no creator There would be nothing created.”
by, Carol Ann (Rouse) Gallegos
12246 Palmer Road
Nevada City, California
95959-9240 USA

4:01 PM  
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1:07 PM  

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