Just a Coincidence – – or the Hand of God?
2008 UPDATE: Thankful Gustav was not as devastating as it could have been, here’s a flashback to Katrina from FPN. Notice the piece doesn’t promote a point of view. Rather, it asks some interesting questions.
(NOTE: The 2008 “Southern Decadence” was scheduled for Labor Day, but had to be cancelled due to Gustav.)
“Let us pray for those ravaged by this disaster. However, we must not forget that the citizens of New Orleans tolerated and welcomed the wickedness in their city for so long.” – – Repent America founder Michael Marcavage
ARE CHRISTIANS TO BLAME FOR TURNING A BLIND EYE TO PUBLIC REBELLION AGAINST GOD?
Homosexual celebration of “decadence” was to occur this week in New Orleans
by Joe Glover – September 2, 2005
(FPN-9/2/05) Christians across the country and throughout the world have been grieving and praying for the victims of Hurricane Katrina while watching relentless images of human suffering and devastation streaming across our television sets. The heartache felt and prayers on behalf of the victims are sincere. But is it possible that we as Christians had missed our best opportunity to help those victims before this year’s hurricane season even began?
It’s no secret that the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi are places where millions of people have flocked through the years to engage in and celebrate “sins of the flesh.” Scripture teaches that “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” so we can be sure that we are ALL unworthy of God’s favor apart from His grace. Yet, the Bible also teaches that God brings calamity to cities and nations that continually embrace wickedness and rebellion toward Him.
One has to wonder, then, if the devastation unfolding before our eyes is the result of our own willingness to tolerate our nation’s celebration of immorality and outright rebellion toward God.
At least one Christian organization is making the connection between wickedness and Hurricane Katrina. The Philadelphia-based ministry Repent America (RA) released a statement, urging Christians to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but simultaneously condemning the Big Easy’s embrace of sin and wickedness.
Referring to New Orleans, RA’s statement boldly proclaims, “this act of God destroyed a wicked city.” It then laments the sinful history of the area by saying, “New Orleans was a city that had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin.” The statement continues, “[It] is .. known for its Mardi Gras parties where thousands of drunken men revel in the streets to exchange plastic jewelry for drunken women to expose their breasts. This annual event sparked the creation of the ‘Girls Gone Wild’ video series.”
Just this week, a city-wide celebration of homosexuality called “Southern Decadence” was expected to draw more than 100,000 participants and “revelers” to the French Quarter in New Orleans. The event, which for years has had the endorsement of local government and business leaders in New Orleans, was right at home in a city that clearly prides itself for for its celebrations of sin and debauchery.
Despite prominent disclaimers at “Southern Decadence” events in years past, the event was filled with public nudity and open acts of perversion – in full view of indifferent public servants. Just recently, a local pastor sent video footage of sex acts being performed in front of police officers to the mayor, city council, and the media. According to Repent America’s website, “City officials simply ignored the footage and continued to welcome and praise the weeklong celebration as being an ‘exciting event’.”
The Southern Decadence website describes the event this way:
No one ever knows exactly how many will show up, but recent years have seen the numbers grow into the tens of thousands. By around noon traffic will have to slow down or detour because Royal Street will be overflowing with marchers mostly costumed in drag, scare drag and traditional drag, and any other kind of rig they can conjure up from their imaginations. And don’t forget all those gourgeous (sic) men and women, most scantily clad. You will see the playful, the whimsical, the pretty, the ugly, the satirical, the witty, and the obscene. But whatever you see, it will always be totally decadent.
Scripture is replete with examples of calamity that God used to bring His people to repentance. No one can be certain as to the reason He caused or permitted this great calamity. Yet, one thing is certain: God is not mocked – and the sins of New Orleans, our nation, and the entire world will ultimately be judged according to God’s righteous decrees.
As Marcavage puts it, “May this act of God cause us all to think about what we tolerate in our city limits, and bring us trembling before the throne of Almighty God.” I agree. Maybe then we can confront the sins of our nation – and thereby protect those who would otherwise suffer under the hand of an angry God tomorrow.
Joe Glover, M.Div., is the President of Family Policy Network in Forest, Virginia.
TAKE ACTION:
– PRAY: That this disaster will bring us all to repentance, and that God will care for the surviving victims of Hurricane Katrina.
– GIVE: IMMEDIATE RELIEF via the North American Mission Board.
– RESPOND: What’s your opinion? Click here to give us your feedback. (NOTE: Some responses will be posted on FPN’s website.)
RELATED INFORMATION:
WARNING – The following link contains vulgar language and sexually-explicit images –
The “official” Southern Decadence website for New Orleans: http://www.southerndecadence.com/
REPENT AMERICA’s press release regarding “Southern Decadence”:
http://www.repentamerica.com/pr_hurricanekatrina.html
II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
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