So why are there earthquakes?

trevorbv

They can’t be an accident, because everything God does is intended.

So, if God created everything perfect, there shouldn't be any disasters: earthquakes, tsunamis etc.

So either he didn't create them perfectly, because he couldn’t therefore, he lacks some qualities: all-powerful, all-wise or because he didn’t want to, therefore being malevolent (he knew that there will be life on Earth, and those disasters could harm this life). Either way it doesn’t look good for him.
Or he created everything perfect but cursed the Earth after the sin of man (like the Earth was guilty of anything…). Even in this case, why would God curse the Earth in order to bring pain to its inhabitants? Isn’t that cruel? Who would do something like that? Even if they sinned why make their life a living hell with random kills? Isn't death enough?
I can't really understand what is in the mind of the beliver when he sees the suffering that a natural disaster brings, because after all they are caused by God, maybe not directly, but indirectly since its his work of art that does them.

So, believers, why do you think God decided (as some point, if you want) that the Earth should have earthquakes?
Don’t give me the “to make us depended on him” answer, because it doesn’t make sense.

VampireDCLXV

Why are there earthquakes? Because of constantly shifting tectonic plates! DUH!

V665 V665

dgp

I agree with Vampire DCLXV. The simple explanation I received once was that the earth's crust is like the covering of a chocolate-and-milk ice-pop. The crust is broken, and it floats, which means it moves. That's why we have earthquakes, volcanoes and hot springs.

If anyone wants to see the hand of god here (which I don't), then you have to think that his intervention was limited to making the earth's crust into pieces and letting them float.

Incidentally, this leaves out the idea that people's sin's bring about earthquakes. Some countries are located very far away from the plate's borders and therefore they never get earthquakes. Among the lucky sinners, you should count most of Eurasia, most of North America, much of South America and much of Africa. Atheist countries like Scandinavia don't get any. With the exception of Iceland, whose inhabitants must not offend the Lord more than other Scandianvians do, I'm afraid.

trevorbv

Because of constantly shifting tectonic plates! DUH!

. Everybody knows that. Maybe I didn't put the question properly. I didn't ask what are the natural causes of earthquakes, which I guess everyone knows, but what are the theological implications of the existance of earthquaks.

I was expecting some belivers like brotherdan and PSacramento to intervene and say the God knows whats best for us and we shouldn't question him.

Anyway, when I believed in God, I always asked myself that question, hence I wanted to know what the people of faith think.

mrsjones5

OUTLAW

So why are there earthquakes?

Sometimes Fat people Fall out of Bed..

GromitSK

I think the point you were making was pretty clear Trev. My own take is that it probably depends what definition of "god" people are using. If the definition is "bloke with beard controlling the Universe whilst perched behind some enormous console" then it will take some mind-bending to achieve some kind of accomodation. The bibilical image of God isn't the only one in service.

VampireDCLXV

trevor,

I only posted that terse quickie answer 'cuz it's about tantamount to you asking me what I think of gay porn... I think it's gay. What else?

In short, it's kind of a dumb question that I couldn't resist posting a dumb answer to. Sociological experiment fail...

V665 V665

GromitSK

How is it a dumb question? :) - it is one of the oldest questions that religions have tried to answer. Having said that, perhaps that doesn't stop it being dumb lol

transhuman68

One of the tectonic plates is the king of the north, and the other is the king of the south; and they are engaged in a pushing. It's in the Bible. Honest.

So why are there earthquakes?

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