www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Purity overcomes Decadence

An acquaintance from the New Orleans area made the follwing observation:

"Katrina certainly made a mess of things, and it will take time to recover, but I am happy about one thing-the hurricane caused the cancellation of the annual celebration of Southern Decadence."

According to him, Southern Decadence is a New Orleans event on the Labor Day Weekend that could be considered "a Gay Mardi Gras."

What was even more interesting is the etymology of the name "Katrina", the German form of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek καθαρος (katharos) "pure" or "virginal".

Coincidence?

I saw in the papers that the Southern Decadence celebration was still held on Labor Day weekend; the French Quarter was not flooded. No doubt it was smaller than intended, but I think your theory doesn't hold water [pardon the expression].
Indeed, these attempts to explain the meaning of disasters leave me cold; only the prophets can claim this, and they are few and far between [except the false variety, who are plentiful].
-Daniel

It also destroyed nursing homes, houses, churches, and chapels.

Logos Teen

Both Padre Pio and Seraphim Rose referred to repenting soon because a period of chastisement is looming.

Alce- That is true, but hardly anyone considers that it is America who is punished for her sins. Indeed, the timing of this disaster and the likely economic effect, even as Mr Bush is bogged down in Iraq, has me wondering.
Most Christians instead think that New Orleans got hit because it is particularily sinful [ie, sensual and celebratory and of course, Catholic]. Personally I dont think there is any more sin in New Orleans than in Peoria, if you count ALL the seven deadly sins. It is certainly less hidden and hypocritical in New Orleans; I mean who goes to Peoria for a big weekend of sinning?
-Daniel

we must never put ourselves into the position that we think we know the mind of God as some evangelical Protestant "televangelists" have done in saying God "chastised" New Orleans because of "decadance. Both Catholic and Orthodox Faiths would consider that a great presumption not to mention rather hysterical.

Daniel,

I have to put myself into agreement with Brian and several other posters on this thread. To pretend that we know the mind of God is in Orthodox teaching, "prelest" or self-delusion. Many more outside of New Orleans suffered than in New Orleans. We have seen natural disasters from time immemorial, and with the exception of one, none have been given by the hand of God as a punishment. To suggest it, would go against the promise God made to Noah after the Great Flood.

Unfortunately, this event happened to coincide with this unfortunate display. My bet is that few if any of the particpants were hurt or killed by this disaster. A region has been severely damaged, and many lives have been lost, and some of the victims may spend many years recovering. Churches have been lost or damaged, and the faithful scattered. I had a conversation with a priest in the effected area this past weekend, and there is no sympathy for this kind of specualtion. They live it yearly, and this time was worse than others. This priest also reminded me of Hurricane Camille and the devastation it caused then.

What we need to do is put our prayers and ourselves foward and not our mouths. Right now, they are praying that a repeat does not occur. Remember with God all things are possible, and we pray for his mercy to be with all that suffer this night and for the days to come.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Unfortunately the good perish with the bad. But for the good comes eternal salvation.

Luke 13:

1 2 At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
2
He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
3
By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!
4
Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them 3 --do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
5
By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/luke/luke13.htm

I had never previously heard of a "Southern Decadence" celebration, but it is likely that all of us have heard of Mardi Gras.
Decadence itself, in the proper meaning of the word, is not necessarily immoral - roquefort cheese is decadent, but there is nothing contrary to good morals in eating the stuff on occasion.
Talk about food, I've found a wonderful recipe for New Orleans Pralines.

Incognitus

Decadence = Death by Choclate

Father Anthony+

Prayers for the city New Orleans and all the souls in need. I know more about this place. Maybe this major event will wake up many souls with the face to God.

Dear Father Anthony,

Not one of us presumes to know the mind or acts of God. (I read an article in Cyprus about a Korean woman working in a U.S. company in Europe that secretly passed around the theory that the hurricane was a punishment for what the U.S. is doing in Iraq)

However, there is sin everywhere. We should ALL wake up, in every town, city and country, and turn away from those things that the Bible tells us that God hates: the occult, sexual promiscuity and the like.... and before we say that God does not punish, let us not forget the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the great flood.

Trial and tribulation will always be with all of us, one way or another, whether personally or on a bigger scale, and can be an avenue to greater grace and closeness to God.

May our God give strength to those who have suffered this great tragedy, both the rich and the poor, the black and the white, and bring them a resolution to their suffering, and greater closeness to Him.

In Christ,
Alice, an unworthy sinner

Dear Alice,

I agree with most and am not arguing, but I did refer to the the Great Flood, and that the promise that God has made, "I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." Genesis 9:15.

I agree there is sin abounding everywhere, and we all have to deal with it everyday. But, we will all at one point have to account personally for our own sins, and not collectively for the sins of others before the Judgement Seat. Our states in the gospel that our punishment or reward is reserved for that time (Matthew 25:31-46). That was my point.

As in point of the case of Sodom and Gommorah, you will remember that the Lord did not strike without warning, but sent Lot to proclaim repentance. Then you have the Prophet that was just celebrated the other day, Jonah and though iniquitous the city of Nineveh was, repentance did occur, and the city was not destroyed.

My point is that many who suffered or were killed were not the participants of the this Southern Decadence event, but people who for whatever reason had the misfortune of being caught by a storm. I personally do not feel that it was God's wrath being taken out on a people for a collective sin as may have been suggested by others through implication.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Alice,

My window to edit my previous post expired, before I could make one last statement. My reference in my first post was to natural disasters, i.e. floods and storms. In the case of Sodom and Gommorah, that was not a natural disaster because I can not recall anytime in my life that Willard Scott forecast that today would have "Sulphur and Fire raining down from Heaven" (Genesis 19:24).

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Dear Friends,

The last time I was in the "Big Easy" I visited the Ursuline convent school where they have the original miraculous statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor - and purchased a large copy for myself (yes, with crowns!)

I carried it as if in procession back to our hotel and have put it out at home, flanked by two desk-top flags of New Orleans and Louisiana on either side as a reminder to pray for the people down there who are suffering so terribly.

I have to confess that I was upset with God after Katrina.

I wondered how God could have allowed that even after all the people who prayed etc. I'm pondering whether this was a sin - I will raise it at my next confession.

Katrina seemed to have flooded my spiritual sensibilities on top of everything else.

And yet, I've come to realize a lot about the Divine Will and how our faith grows and develops.

Such disasters affect good as well as bad people - our Lord said that God makes His sun to shine over everyone.

But we cannot know everything - not now anyway.

For the meantime, I grab hold of my Mardi Gras doll and pray with tears, clinging to God by naked faith and with inner pain.

Alex