Majority of People Believe God Is the Ultimate Cause of Tsunami According to an aish.com Survey

Majority of People Believe God Is the Ultimate Cause of Tsunami According to an aish.com Survey

Survey Reveals Tsunami Has Strengthened People's Belief in God

NEW YORK, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week's tsunami, one of the world's worst catastrophes in modern times, has had a global impact. According to an Aish International aish.com online survey of more than 1,800 people, people are turning to their faith during this time of unprecedented tragedy. The Aish web site www.aish.com, is the leading Jewish content website with nearly two million visitors each month and 115,000 email subscribers.

There is a God

With the number of those killed stretching beyond 150,000 people and millions more left homeless, people have asked how could such an event happen.

The survey "How has the tsunami impacted you" revealed that this horrific disaster has actually strengthened 50 percent of respondent's belief in God while 61 percent believe God is the ultimate cause of the tsunami. Additionally, 76 percent stated the tsunami did not increase their sense of insecurity and hopelessness.

According to Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith, Editor-in-chief of Aish.com, "it is natural for some to question their faith during times of such horrific tragedy. However, it is during such times that people seek greater meaning. They look to re-embrace their values and turn toward God."

What Can I Do to Help

An astounding 80 percent of people surveyed said the tsunami increased their resolve to do good in the world. Additionally, 64 percent of respondents said they plan on making a charitable donation to help the tsunami victims.

"A tragedy of this magnitude spurs all of humanity to do 'tikkun olam' -- to repair the world. The entire world has been shaken by this disaster and people are yearning to do what they can to be a source of healing. It is an expression of unity among humanity," said Rabbi Coopersmith.

In addition to monetary aid Aish.com writer Sara Yoheved Rigler suggests a spiritual response should also be considered. When you ask yourself "What can I do?" here are some spiritual responses:

1. Allow yourself to mourn for the tragic loss of life. Do not emotionally
distance yourself by burying your heart, feel the pain.
2. Recognize the fragility -- and therefore the preciousness -- of life.
The people on the beaches of Southeast Asia that day had no warning
this would be their final hour. Neither will we. Appreciate the
preciousness of every hour.
3. Recognize the spiritual effect of every action you do -- not just on
yourself but on the world. Petty lying, stealing, cheating, gossip,
promiscuity, and exploitation set in motion waves of negativity. When
many people engage in such actions, those waves can build up into tidal
waves.
4. Change one action. Undertake to do a good deed or eschew one kind of
negative behavior. This is a better defensive measure than any early
warning system.

A Time for Healing


People around the world have seen multitudes of images of the devastation and death the tsunami left behind on television, in newspapers and on the Internet. Of concern to many is how to deal with the horrors these pictures convey especially to children.

"Young children, not unlike most adults, are totally bewildered by inexplicable trauma. Their specific resulting fears can vary from being afraid of their own demise, to losing loved ones, to the fear of overwhelming pain, or an awakening of past stressors in their lives," said Rabbi and psychologist Yaakov Salomon. "Healing takes place when they can talk about their fears. Getting them to articulate what really scares them is far more effective than any lectures we can offer about reassurance, courage or heaven."

About Aish International

Aish.com is part of Aish International, one of the world's largest organizations dedicated to ensuring Jewish continuity through a wide range of innovative and educational programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT: Lois Fuhr
Fuhr & Associates
206.236.0606
lfuhr@fuhrassoc.com


Source: Aish International

CONTACT: Lois Fuhr of Fuhr & Associates, +1-206-236-0606 or
lfuhr@fuhrassoc.com, for Aish International

Web site: http://www.aish.com/


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