Gaia & Mother Nature vs. God; Earth Day vs. Easter

With the weather going crazy in Africa, and in the US, people have been hard-pressed when called to comment on what is going on.

Rare waterspouts cause excitement in Hawaii
"A rare waterspout formed off the coast of Hawaii on Monday and was caught in several pictures and videos."

Storm unleashes waterspouts, hail
"Wild weather and power failures challenged residents last night as Mother Nature unleashed much of her repertoire, including thunderstorms, lightning strikes, heavy rain and even tall, dramatic waterspouts off Honolulu Harbor and hail in Upcountry Maui and Hawaii island."

Mother Nature, eh?

Here are some amazing photos of the waterspouts associated with that same storm in Hawaii, that also brought hail, an unusual weather event to be sure. And, ahem, that's DOUBLE waterspout, bub.

Waterspout picture
Waterspout video

I've been interested to note the kind of language being used when reporters report in the recent weather disasters. Apparently it is all due to the Mighty Mississippi and its wrath, Gaia, and Mother Nature. LOL, why not throw in Pele and Poseidon while we're at it?

Actual headline: Can We Make Peace with Gaia this Earth Day?
Headline I prefer to see: "Can we make Peace with Jesus this Resurrection Sunday?"

Actual headline: "Memphis braces for mighty Mississippi's wrath"
Headline I prefer to see: "Memphis braces for God's wrath"

Actual headline: "Let it rain: How to survive the water ban; Rely on Mother Nature to green the lawn, wash the car and stay cool"
Headline I prefer to see: "Latter rain: How to survive the Tribulation; rely on Jesus to save the soul, wash the sin, and stay alive forever"

Actual quote: On the Mississippi flood: "Nicholls State University biology professor Earl Melancon Jr. ... “It's Mother Nature giving us another blow after what BP did last year,” he said.”
Quote I'd like to see: "Jesus Saves college theology professor Pharisee Leaven said "It's Jesus giving us another blow after what sins we committed last year".

So Gaia is real and can be wrathful, but not God. Mother Nature is mad at humans but never let it be said that God is angry at His children. They celebrate Earth Day but downplay Easter. Below is from HotAir conservative blog:

Media hammers Easter while celebrating Earth Day
"It’s Holy Week for the world’s Christians, leading to the most significant event on the calendar, Easter Sunday. How does the national media cover such a significant week? The Media Research Center took a look at the media coverage from last year’s Holy Week and compared it to coverage of Earth Day. Who did better, Jesus or Gaia?"
--Media Undermine Christian Holiday: Nearly two thirds of all stories about Easter were negative (22 out of 34).
--Easter Used to Attack Catholic Church: Ninety-one percent of the negative Easter stories were about the pedophilia scandal in the Roman Catholic Church.
-Love That Mother Nature: 100 percent of Earth Day stories were positive.
Well, I am glad I am a friend of Jesus. I am glad I can and do attribute the glory to Him, and not Gaia, Mother Nature, the Mighty Mississippi, or any other false god. The bible has some things to say about idolatry.

Having other gods is forbidden: "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:2-3)

Worshiping other gods is forbidden: "There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god." (Psalms 81:9)

Speaking in the name of other gods is forbidden: "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die." (Deuteronomy 18:20)

Swearing by other gods is forbidden: "That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:" (Joshua 23:7)

Changing the truth of God onto a lie is forbidden: "They exchanged God's truth for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." (Romans 1:25)

I am glad He wrote down for us what He thinks, feels, and expects of us. I am glad I am a Christian, following Jesus and applying His biblical precepts to my life the best I can. Put simply, I'm glad I know Jesus. Do you?

Comments

  1. I do, too, and I'm IMMENSELY glad! Infinitely glad! Unceasingly glad!

    I love this post. It really bothered me this Good Friday to see Earth Day overpowering Easter. And just like you said-- it's okay to talk about "Mother Earth" as a real personality, but not God. Wow.

    In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess....

    It can't be much longer, I pray....

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  2. The idea of Mother Nature as a God-equivalent is quite appealing for several reasons. Such notions come closer to objective reality and science than old-time fundamentalist religions do. A non-judgmental force is more acceptable on many levels than a punishing God who would send billions of souls to suffer in an eternal torture chamber.

    It is unfortunate that so many people, even in modern times, continue to interpret so-called "revealed" religious texts in a literal fashion. As a result, good folks come to believe that stories describing a six-day creation, talking snakes, witches that can communicate with the dead, etc. are supposed to be taken at face value instead of as the poetry and other literary vehicles they actually represent.

    Of course, the truth is that no one knows the answers to these things. Many may SAY they know, but no one actually DOES know.

    It is at least mildly encouraging that such literal fundamentalist beliefs are on a slow but steady decline in the U.S. and around the world, as increasing numbers of curious people have access to all kinds of information via the Internet, and can thus undertake an objective study of these matters - if they are so inclined. The gradual spread of science, freethought, philosophy, and so on will result in worldviews that grow closer and closer to truth and reality and away from supernatural stories and the “we’re right, you’re wrong” attitude.

    However, as someone who strongly favors freedom, I should also state that I strongly support the right to believe and practice whatever religion one desires. I am a fervent supporter of religious freedom, and that includes the right of religious fundamentalists to believe in their own traditional stories.

    The belief that man is inherently evil because an ancient woman once ate some fruit - on the advice of a talking snake, no less - is quite amazing. And this is supposed to be loving?

    These issues, along with basic, universal spiritual principles in general, are explored further in a small blog called Search for Truth at http://www.allisnow.com/blog/

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  3. Nature boy,

    Thank you for your comment. I do have a question though. You mentioned that the bible must be taken as poetry and a non-literal interpretation. However, that is not possible. There are many historical figures in the bible, doing things and engaging in events that are confirmed by archaeology and history. Jesus really existed. Nebuchadnezzar existed. David existed. Cyrus, Ezekiel, Paul, John...all existed. John the Baptist really was killed by Herod, both of whom really existed. The massacre of the innocents really happened. The Temple was really built. So with so much of the bible being true in history, how do you separate what it presents an actual event and what is to be taken as poetry?

    Answer is you can't. It must be accepted in toto or rejected in toto. It sounds like you reject the notion that you are a sinner whom Jesus came to save. That is your choice, Jesus left you with free will. I hope you change your mind, and take the step of faith toward Him.

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