Tokyo governor apologizes for calling quake divine retribution

Tokyo governor apologizes for calling quake divine retribution

religion.blogs.cnn.com

The governor of Tokyo apologized on Tuesday for saying the earthquake and resulting tsunami that left thousands dead were divine punishment for Japanese egoism, the country’s official news service reported.

"I will take back (the remark) and offer a deep apology," Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said at a Tuesday news conference, according to Japan’s official Kyodo News.

On Monday, Ishihara had told reporters, "I think (the disaster) is tembatsu (divine punishment), although I feel sorry for disaster victims," according to Kyodo News, which translated Ishihara's remarks from Japane

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From what I understand a lot of farming communities were wiped out by the tsunami. These farmers would have had very little to do with what this governor is talking about. His statement of Divine Punishing is a bit harsh and very shortsighted. I feel the Japanese are in a much better place as far as their egos are concerned than most of the United States, so does that mean we need to be wiped out with a tsunami as well? By his logic, maybe.

religion.blogs.cnn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

reply to post by totalmetal


Of course he does, now that Tokyo is receiving some radiation and might be the next victim. If it were divine retribution, then it appears the governor is next on God's list!

I am willing to bet this D-bag does not run for re-election

On a serious note anyone who believes these types of disasters are divine intervention need to stop believing in imaginary friends. Most people stop having imaginary friends at the age of 4 years old or so. Members mention this time and time again... natural disasters do happen, they have always happened, the amount of disasters and severity has always fluctuated but none the less they still have always happened. Regrettably, regardless of the strength and honor of the Japanese people this will be a difficult obstacle to overcome. My heart goes out to the Japanese.

Originally posted by Corruption Exposed
I am willing to bet this D-bag does not run for re-election

On a serious note anyone who believes these types of disasters are divine intervention need to stop believing in imaginary friends. Most people stop having imaginary friends at the age of 4 years old or so. Members mention this time and time again... natural disasters do happen, they have always happened, the amount of disasters and severity has always fluctuated but none the less they still have always happened. Regrettably, regardless of the strength and honor of the Japanese people this will be a difficult obstacle to overcome. My heart goes out to the Japanese.

I have to agree whole-heartedly with everything you've stated here. What more can be said? I only hope the Japanese can recover from this tragedy.

I have a feeling the apology was only given due to the western press catching on. In the west the idea of karma and consequences is unheard of, and I agree, we're not as humble overall as many eastern races.

To me, that he thought, oh no we did something wrong, is more because of the eastern mindset and humility. Taking the blame, even when its unwarranted is something humble people do a lot. Being more aware of consequences or feeling that that there is a correlation between actions and events, is more foreign to the west, but this man isn't from the west, now is he?

reply to post by Unity_99


You are correct in times of disaster and tragedy the Japenese look to their Buddhist principles which heavily involve Karma as a deciding factor for the good and bad that happens in their lives.

The Western Judean/Christian understanding of the divine and the Buddhist interpretation of it our two entirely different mindsets and philosophies.

It's funny in Western culture if you are victorious in war it's because God favors you over your enemy, but the belief that anything bad happens as a retribution of a loving God despite doomsday prophecies meant to punish the sinners of earth, is something rejected as unthinkable and politically incorrect.

We are a very peculiar people to say the least.

Originally posted by Unity_99
I have a feeling the apology was only given due to the western press catching on. In the west the idea of karma and consequences is unheard of, and I agree, we're not as humble overall as many eastern races.

To me, that he thought, oh no we did something wrong, is more because of the eastern mindset and humility. Taking the blame, even when its unwarranted is something humble people do a lot. Being more aware of consequences or feeling that that there is a correlation between actions and events, is more foreign to the west, but this man isn't from the west, now is he?

edit on 15-3-2011 by Unity_99 because: (no reason given)

This is certainly another way to look at things I hadn't thought of. Being a secular man though I have to disagree with the whole divine retribution thing, and look to the natural yawns and moans of the earth.

I'd have to think his initial 'comment' was more from a personal stance or opinion, as opposed to a 'statement' representative of his position or status.

more that of a distraught individual simply reflecting inward than any sort of 'official' overlay.

Apology? Whatever happened to ritual Seppuku?


Everyone's always got a theory as to why a disaster happened; they should really learn to start keeping it to themselves. Opinions, even the best of them always seem to offend someone.