the dust has all but settled…
January 26th, 2010 by v01d…and there’s still lots of work to be done in Haiti, by the country itself and the worldwide community. Although the injection of donations from scores of first-world countries is inpiring, some ugly truths about human nature have risen to the surface.
First off, Pat Robertson’s comments are both disgusting and contradictory. Even if many generations ago some inhabitants of the country did make a “pact with the devil”, why so were millions punished centuries later? Does the fact that over 95% of the country identify as Christian make a difference to the all-powerful and loving god that seeks to punish this former voodoo-nation of devil worshippers? Was god late to deed of punishment or did they just not convert with enough gusto?
Robertson’s comments could be easily dismissed as the crazy it is – if not for the fact that I’ve heard some otherwise sane (but churchgoing) colleagues discuss the matter when one of them pipes up “Well… when you think about, the Dominican Republic hardly got touched…” then, folks, we have a problem. I know everyone around the world is trying to make rhyme or reason of this chaos, but that’s all it truly is: chaos. Geological chaos that has been tearing the thin crust of the planet apart since it was formed, long before we got here, and long after we disappear. Praying won’t make it stop, no matter how loud, how often or however many of us participate.
The vacuum of hope in the country will surely be filled even further with empty spiritual promises. Not only are the already-entrench Christian missions cranking it up a notch, but also washed up celebrities with more time on their hands then common sense have jumped the queue on Port au Prince’s landing strip ahead of such groups as Doctors Without Borders. I anticipate a real tug-of-war between different faiths over this impoverished nation; Christianity has almost hit it’s saturation point but the door may be opened for others. Any ambassador, no matter which god they bow to, can show up well fed, well dressed with gifts of food and medicine in hand, giving the locals the hope “Now THIS guy knows who to pray to.” It’s worked for the Christians for centuries, in Haiti and all over the globe.
My request to anyone reading this far, please contribute, please donate – but do so wisely. If you wish to help knowing that your contribution is being delivered with no strings attached, my recommendations are:
Red Cross (that’s not a Christian cross)
Doctors without Borders (maybe Travolta will get his fat ass off the runway so they can land)




