Devon Dick
LAST WEEK Thursday, columnist Martin Henry wrote an interesting piece on the dilemma posed for journalists who were both subject and reporters of the effects of Katrina. Recently, the Mayor of New Orleans spoke about what God was doing in the natural phenomenon. Today, I would like to examine the dilemma that Katrina posed for theologians. Coincidentally, recently, leading Caribbean theologian and thinker, Rev. Dr. Burchell Taylor shared with me his paper 'Katrina - A Reading from the underside' and I would like to share some ideas from that paper.
Dr. Taylor highlighted the inadequate theologies which coincide, reflect and serve national interest and ideology, and which undergirds "the chauvinism, militarism and the self-understanding of being the nation divinely designated to give leadership in the world." The popular theology and preaching that undergirds the U.S.A. as being the best and that God ordained it to intervene as unilateral police officer of the world, could not find any triumphal theology this time.
Instead, the theological musings were simply to see God punishing the people of New Orleans for their loose lifestyle. Dr. Taylor said the sins under judgement were "abortion, homosexuality and homosexual marriages, the absence of prayers from schools and the issue whether religious symbols like the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public places" The weakness of this position is that those punished are not the worse perpetrators of the specific sins, and some persons who suffered were not guilty of any of those sins. And if God is punishing for sins what of persons in California, New York and Washington?
GOD'S DISPLEASURE
Popular theology that is also aired on LOVE TV has persons like Pat Robertson espousing the reason Katrina hit New Orleans. He was the same person who theologised that the reason the Israeli Prime Minister was hit with a stroke was due to God's displeasure at Israel returning occupied territory to the Palestinians. After the Israelis threatened to halt his investment in Israel his theology changed. This was the same televangelist who called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. It is good that Jamaicans have other theologies that are more helpful.
SOCIAL-ETHICAL REFLECTION
Katrina was a defining moment in world history. It was not the worst natural occurrence. The Asian tsunami and the earthquake in Pakistan were followed by greater devastation. However, Katrina challenges also our social-ethical reflection.
Katrina has challenged us to look at the perception we have of the U.S.A. and as Dr. Taylor puts it, "the assumed normative and paradigmatic status associated with it, in terms of advancement, prosperity, development, the civilised way of life." It is clear that in First World countries such as U.S.A. and France, there are what they call 'Third World' sections. So in spite of the spin-doctors making it out that free market creates wealth, prosperity and success, the reality is that great poverty is to be found as an ally to the free market economics. If the market is not fair and only free then the result will be great wealth for the few and desperate poverty for many.
In addition, Katrina showed, as Dr. Taylor said, that poverty is not just attitudinal, a result of laziness, mismanagement and corruption. We must recognise that unbridled free market has produced serious inequities in lands of plenty.
Katrina has posed a dilemma for theologians. Dr. Taylor has given much food for thought and he also talks about globalization and stewardship of the environment. By obtaining a copy of his paper from the Bethel Baptist Church, Half-Way Tree, you'll be able to read more about such engaging theologisings.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'.
