Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

I’m not saying anything is fine with me, I’m asking how to fix it.

You make some very good points here, Paul. A few remarks:

1. Of course I don’t agree with Pat Robertson’s statement, but I have to come to his aid too. He may have made a stupid comment, but at the same time raised money to aid those affected by the earthquake.

2. I think reflection on the possibility and content of God’s message or motivations behind large natural disasters should be done by those undergoing them. People confronted with ovewhelming grief resulting from natural disasters will respond in different ways. There will always be those who will reflect on themselves in relation to God and will come out the better for it.

3. As for outsiders, they should largely remain silent and resort to action. Though we can affirm this general fact: If God exists and is all powerful and all good as the Bible confirms, then there must be some reason beyond random destruction alone why these things happen.

Earthquakes are not very selective so clearly lots of innocent people will die or get hurt. This means in fact that they are not punished, they are just killed. Most people, the ones that survive, will never realize what they are punished for, as the connection between the motive and the punishment itself is to say the least, not very clear. So they are punished without ever knowing it.
From a human being point of view this kind of “punishing behavior” does not make a lot of sense. Apart from some form of “revenge” it misses the scope or reason for which we punish.
If from Gods point of view it makes sense and we (apart from the “Pat Robertsons”) are not “allowed” to see a clear sense in this “punishing operation” then we make things very complicated. I personally see even less sense in that…….

Playing the “blame game” has a few advantages though.
It gives you a superior and rightful position (feels good) as you don’t make part of the “guilty party”
You don’t have to care about or help the guilty ones, as they are rightfully punished (keeps your bank account intact)
The problem with people who are eager to blame is that they can slip into a next faze, the actual punishing (in the name of God…..). We all have seen in the past where this can lead to……..