On January 12 of this year, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. More than 200 thousand people died in the quake and over 1 million were left homeless. The Inter-American Bank estimates that it will take at least 10 years and some $14 billion to rebuild just the capital city of Port au Prince.
At the time I expressed some concern about people focusing too much on Haiti and neglecting other ministries. Lately, however, I’ve come to have a new concern. Apparently people have lost all perspective on this tragedy.
A few weeks ago, a preacher sent a message to a Yahoo group where he expressed his concern that people had paid more attention to the Haiti disaster than they had the Nashville flood. As he complained about the lack of attention, this man wrote, “Is it because the people in Nashville predominantly are not the right color (66.99% white)? Is it because the church is very strong in Nashville, too, and the media as a rule hates the church and those who profess Jesus as their Savior?”
Then last week another Christian leader posted this on Facebook: “So where are allthe “Save the Gulf” concerts? Where are the T.V. benefits withcelebrities and musicians giving heart felt speeches on the poorfishermen, wildlife, beaches, loss of income and sabotaged gulfeconomy? I find it rather strange how these people (including our owngovernment) are so quick to help Haiti and other countries, but sit ontheir tushy for this one! Post if you agree.”
Let me beg each and every one of you: please don’t embarrass yourself! Feel free to say that Nashville deserves more attention. Express concern about the lack of love being shown the Gulf following the BP spill. But please don’t compare these disasters to what happened in Haiti. Definitely do not claim that giving extra attention to Haiti represents racism and/or religious discrimination.
And please, please, please, if you are a Christian, don’t play the “we should help our own country first” card. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10) No, it doesn’t say “especially those from the same country we are.”
The Haiti disaster was something on the scale we can’t even imagine in most developed countries. For any disaster to compare, it would need to leave an entire country in ruins for years. If that’s not the case, please don’t embarrass yourself, or the rest of us, by making a feeble comparison.
Totally agree. This is somewhat akin to saying disasters are caused because of people’s sins. God did that to Sodom and Gomorrha, but not after considering if there were any sinless ones there. He didn’t command us to judge others in the same way. We don’t negate one disaster by assisting another, but we should not play the race card, the isolationist idea, or any of the statements others have made. As Christians we must do what we can wherever there is a need, which doesn’t mean each person has to or can help every cause. Pray about your abilities to help, asking God to give the guidance needed, and do the best you can wherever possible. Good post, Tim.
Well said, Tim!
but tim, those poor nashvillians only have insurance, and those musicians have lost all their equipment and might have to buy new mansions and new guitars. HAVE YOU NO SYMPATHY!
Haitians were eating mud pies BEFORE the earthquake, and we are still self-absorbed and materialistic.
sorry, but that felt good.
Great point and perspective
I agree with your post. Unfortunately, many people have never traveled to a 3rd world country and therefore innocently do not have a clue to how devistating a disaster can be in such a country that does not have the resources which are available to the United States. We should pray for and help those in Nashville and the Guld Region just as we do for other places in the world suffering from nature’s wrath but let’s remember that the United States has the ecconomic and educational resources to recover quite remarkably whereas many other nations (especially in the 3rd world) do not.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Amen to what you said Tim.