Japan - a few words of disgust at fellow human beings.

Like many of you, I have been completely floored by the devastation happening right now and the past few days in Japan. I want to help and it is overwhelming. What really bothers me, on the side, is the way that so many Americans seem to be relating to this event. I have read comments from many people on various news sites (and no, not Fox) that say things like:

Japan has enough money, so they'll be ok.

(horribly) remember Pearl Harbor. (this is disgusting and anyone using this as a generational excuse is just without a heart)

They are an atheist country and therefore God will recreate their country into a more perfect "Christian" arena. (yes people have said a ton of this bullshit and it's not at all ok and not at all "Christian".

Nuclear energy is so bad and so...we all deserve it because we humans deserve anything like this because we don't all use solar panels, etc etc etc. Note- this also happened during the BP Oil Spill- so many people I thought to be caring people on FB were more self righteous about how it was an example of how we shouldn't use oil than on the loss of human life, and the immediate response to environmental problems for our Gulf...easier to get on a platform and stay there, right??

I really DISLIKE how crappy humans can be to each other in times like these. I also LOVE how compassionate some of us are being towards the Japanese who are without fresh food, roads, telephones to call family, and in general are isolated from family and friends they don't know what happened to during the earthquake and tsunami. Half the country is sitting in mud, wasted land, no roads, fallen buildings, and dark very cold nights this week. Every day and night must be getting a bit more stressful and mentally hard to take.

Donate to the Red Cross if you can afford to. We all are strapped for extra cash. No matter that Japan is considered a well organized and wealthy country, this devastation is not normal and is beyond anyone's comprehension right now. I know alot of missionary families who are asking for donations for their mission groups over there, but I would ask that we take an extra step and help the locals out. They don't need more Bibles - they need fresh water, fresh food, health, and survival. Their children need their parents, and the elderly need their family. All the rebuilding will take months and maybe a few years, but like with most big catastrophes, the immediate survival needs are most important.

Not being an alarmist, but trying to share the compassion. COMPASSION. It's free. It doesn't take up any time, and it can only bring good. I can try to be more compassionate to the trolls who are so hateful in our country but I don't know if they would recognize it. I guess that's the trick, give it anyway, and maybe eventually it will do something for them....

Also, prayers are free, and worth alot. Alot of people talk about praying these days, it's like a badge of honor, but I wonder how many people actually sit down, close their eyes, and pray hard. It's not a bragging right, it's a moment of connection and private communication that shouldn't warrant a chain email.

Chain emails don't help someone who is sitting in the cold dark with crying babies or hungry family members. Back those prayers up with some real action.

(exit stage left...)