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March 18, 2011

THE CRISIS IN JAPAN by Raymond Lawrence

Our hearts go out to the tens of thousands in Japan who have lost loved ones and property, and are now threatened by radiation. There are several reliable ways to contribute funds to assist those in need. The American Red Cross permits a donation via texting: Text REDCROSS to 90999 as a way of donating $10, call 800-733-2767 or go to Apple’s iTunes and contribute through your account. The Salvation Army permits the same $10 donation by texting Japan at 80888 or phone 800-725-2769. And there are other reliable agencies as well.

The victims of this disaster are also in need of competent pastoral clinicians but it is not clear how to address that need. The Governor of Tokyo was reported by NPR to have explained that the earthquake and tsunami were divine punishment for Japanese greed. This kind of theology is enough to turn people permanently away from any kind of religion. Of course this kind of religious nonsense is not unique to the Emperor or to Japan. The Rev. Pat Robertson made similar proclamations about a hurricane battering the U.S. coast awhile back, and others have proclaimed Katrina’s assault on New Orleans to be the consequence of sin in the Big Easy. It is dismaying that those in Japan, having been assaulted by earthquake, tsunami, and radiation are further assaulted by religious banality.

We are in a profession that is widely high-jacked by the most banal and simplistic pontificators. We experience professionally a kind of tsunami of our own as religion is reduced to simple mechanics. Nevertheless, we must stay on course, testify to what we know, and reach out as well as we can to those in need, such as those in distress, and especially those today in Japan.

Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at March 18, 2011 10:08 AM

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