Ethon Lowe | God, Hurricane Melissa and same-sex couples

In my customary perusal of the Sunday Gleaner, December 7, two interesting articles caught my eye. The first questioned God’s purpose following Melissa’s untimely destruction of a country, which I remind you, has the most churches per square mile in the world.

More churches, hence more prayers asking, no, beseeching, God to spare the country from the ravages of the hurricane. As we now know, prayers were not answered. How could an all-powerful, loving God allow this? Perhaps he was unable to prevent the hurricane. Then He is not all that powerful. Or He could have prevented it but choose not to. Then He is not all that good. Or was God displeased?

For the residents of Duanvale, Trelawny, and other parts of Jamaica, the wanton destruction of churches is seen as a sign that God was, indeed, displeased. “It is like Melissa was carrying revenge for the church itself” said one member of the community. In support, another member voiced his opinion: “It collapsed when no lives were taken, so we must give God thanks.” Destroy the church but spare the people? So God is thanked profusely for sparing lives. But we can’t help but think that there is a bit of favouritism in God’s handiwork.

Sparing your house while your neighbour’s is demolished: Was that poor bugger’s homelessness part of some unfathomable divine plan?

My Christian friend reminds me that God is like a good parent. He allows suffering in our lives as a way of building our character (What good parent does that?) and teaches us lessons about how we should live. God is not the one who causes our tragedies, nor is he able to prevent them, says Rabbi Harold Kushner in his book Why Bad Things Happen to Good People. He can only give us the strength to deal with our suffering. If I were a believer, this is the view I would take. We don’t have an answer to suffering, but we can try to find ways to alleviate it whenever possible.

The second article, another religious conundrum, was “no vote on gay union blessings”. Rev Devon Dick, pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, proposed that members of his church vote on whether same-sex unions should receive blessing. The majority abstained. Dick explained: “Well, it means some .... probably some lack of comfort with the issue. You know, churches ... they are conservative. But that’s it. But that was an interpretation, you know.” He reminds us that the Roman Catholic Church earlier this year was allowed to bless same-sex couples, and this voting issue he proposed to his church members was, presumably, similar to that. By his admission since Dick himself is not prepared to bless same-sex unions, we can assume he doesn’t allow such unions.

As for the Roman Catholic Church, it does not permit same-sex relationships, but … you can bless them. What hypocrisy!!

Dr Ethon Lowe is a medical doctor and author of With a Rational Eye. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and ethonlowe@gmail.com.