Faith perspective on Natural Disaster
Falun Dafa
When humans become corrupt “natural disasters” are inevitable. History tells of many cycles of peacefulness followed by degeneration and destruction such as the fall of the Roman Empire etc. But when we are in the midst of degeneration we are not aware of how corrupt we have become, because we have gradually become accustomed to the standards of contemporary society. We think our thoughts and behavior is normal. It is not.
Practitioners of Falun Dafa believe that good is rewarded and evil is punished. So, if atheism is prevalent, if we deny the divine, and ignore history, if we no longer know what is true and we lose our kindness and rationality what will become of us then?
Practitioners of Falun Dafa know that it is our responsibility to rescue as many people as possible during this destructive period. To do that we talk about what is good, we provide truthful information and remind people of their traditional values. We constantly look for ways to help people find their way toward a bright future.
This is only my understanding at my level of comprehension but here is what Li Hongzhi said in his lecture “Stay Rational” in March 2020
“Truth be told, pandemics only come when people’s morals and values have turned bad and they have come to have a massive amount of karma. So if a pandemic is divinely ordained, what can be done to stop it? It would be divine will, after all. Some people do realize this and pray for protection, but it probably won’t help. That is because people are supposed to be weeded out when their moral character has turned bad and their karma has become huge. Why would the divine offer them protection at that point, then? What people should do, instead, is to repent to the divine with all due sincerity, admit to their faults, and pray for a chance to change their ways. That is the way to go, and that is the magic cure.”
Baha’i Faith
Although outwardly cataclysms are hard to understand and to endure, yet there lies a great wisdom behind them which appears later. All the visible material events are inter-related with invisible spiritual forces. The infinite phenomena of creation are as interdependent as the links of a chain. When certain links become rusty, they are broken by unseen forces, to be replaced by newer and better ones. There are certain colossal events which transpire in the world of humanity which are required by the nature of the times.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The Prophets and saints were, each and every one, subjected to the bitterest afflictions that the world has to offer, and were targets for all the cruelties and aggressions of mankind. They sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the people, and with all their hearts they hastened to the place of their martyrdom; and with their inward and outward perfections they arrayed humanity in new garments of excellent qualities, both acquired and inborn.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 34-35
O SON OF MAN!
For everything there is a sign. The sign of love is fortitude under My decree and patience under My trials.
O SON OF MAN!
The true lover yearneth for tribulation even as doth the rebel for forgiveness and the sinful for mercy.
O SON OF MAN!
If adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?
O SON OF MAN!
My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.