Quote:
Originally Posted by BrotherEastman
I have a question. If the atomic bombs were dropped in 1945 on both Hiroshima, and Nagasaki; then why would God punish this generation of Americans for what the previous generation had done? If it were so wrong, I believe that God would've judged that generation, not this one. What proof does JW have that the previous generation was or wasn't judged? Of course, this question applies to anyone who can answer it, but I'd really like to see Chris answer.
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Easty, God punishes nations when "their cup of iniquity" is full. (see Amaleck)
I do believe that the Civil War was the judgement of God on America for the sin of slavery, remember that it was not the founding fathers generation(s) that suffered. the Civil war started 89 years after the Declaration of Independence.
So in part one must agree that the generation that sins isnt always the one that is punished. God allows time for the cup to be emptied in repentance or filled before he decides to forgo judgement or execute it on a nation.
But also understand that when God punishes a nation, it is total. Anyone who thinks 9/11 was Gods judgement has a small opinion of the Judgement of God.
Compair the loss of 3,000 on 9/11 to OT judement. Amaleck was distroyed in total. God said kill their men, women, children, sheep, goats, cows, and
everything that lives. Israel and Judah were sent into slavery.
If one believes as I do that the Civil War was the judgement of God on America, consider that more Americans were killed/died from that war than in all the other wars we have fought combined!
Consider also that if Bombing Japan was a "sin" in Gods eyes, and sistimic/institutionalized racism that existed in America until the 1960's was a sin in Gods eyes, then it stands to reason that God in his grace gives a nation to repent.
Consider the shifting attitudes of Americans toward wholesale war, that in Iraq, we do not bomb civilian populations (turning a different direction from the past).
Consider the landmark legal decisions of the supreme court overturning institutionalized racism (sperate but equal), the vast amount of law that has been passed to counter racism. Consider that while we still have predjudice/racism today (read Rico's thread, it is brilliant), we are nowhere near as bad as we were in 1940 or even in 1980.
If God provides time for a nation to turn, then this nation has in many ways either done so or is doing so. And thus must be seen by God as worthy of more time.
Clearly then 9/11 cannot be the judement of God.
but that's just my 2 cents.