Analysis: The press puts God on trial in Haiti

Reposted from GetReligion.org | Read post in context.

Journalists in the mainstream press often talk about covering both
sides of a story fairly and accurately. I can say “Amen” to that, even
while acknowledging that it is rare to cover a major story that only
has two sides. Nevertheless, the key is for journalists to keep seeking
multiple points of view, especially when covering a subject as
complicated as religion.

So far, journalists covering the hellish scenes in Haiti have done a
good job of showing the degree to which religion — or religions — color
life in that haunted, yet intensely spiritual nation. This must be
incredibly hard work, when surrounded by so much chaos.

As I mentioned the other day, we are now moving into the “theodicy”
(How could God do this? How could God allow this to happen?) stage of
this disaster story. I stand by my earlier statements that the best
coverage is focusing on the voices of believers and doubters in Haiti,
as opposed to rounding up the usual suspects in America.

Consider, for a moment, this Washington Post headline on a weekend Associated Press report: “Religious Haitians see hand of God in earthquake.”

Do tell. I have been wondering when someone would write about this angle of the story, in the wake of the media storm around the Rev. Pat Robertson.
To cut to the chase: Are there Haitians who believe that the earthquake
is, in some mysterious way, an “act of God,” even a form of divine
judgment?

That depends. For starters, you will be glad to know that reporter
Michelle Faul quickly establishes that Haitians are not of one mind
when it comes to answering that question.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Deeply
religious Haitians see the hand of God in the destruction of Biblical
proportions visited on their benighted country. The quake, religious
leaders said Sunday, is evidence that He wants change.

Exactly what change He wants depends on the faith: Some Christians
say it’s a sign that Haitians must deepen their faith, while some
Voodoo followers see God’s judgment on corruption among the country’s
mostly light-skinned elite.

Jumping down, there is more content on that second point:

Some followers of Voodoo, practiced alongside Roman
Catholicism by the vast majority of Haitians, said the devastation of
key symbols of power was punishment for corrupt leaders who have
allowed the mostly light-skinned elite to enrich themselves while the
black majority suffers.