A massive earthquake on Boxing Day generated tsunamis which killed thousands throughout Asia, while millions lost their homes. Let’s hope that those affected can re-group, with help from the rest of the world.

Natural disasters like this must create a dilemma for those who believe in a benevolent God. Pastors will wring their hands and say “we cannot explain God’s will”. Thousands of believers of all faiths will pray to their God for help, but thence comes the dilemma. If a supernatural God can answer prayer and therefore control worldly events, why does He allow such disasters to occur? Surely these events cannot be divine retribution for unspecified sins, as some victims have said in the past few days? These are questions as old as belief itself, questions that religious leaders are no closer to adequately answering.

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