For more than a week, the Palisades Fire and other blazes have ravaged Los Angeles, burning through tens of thousands of acres, causing billions in damage, and impacting countless lives.
An official investigation is under way to determine the cause, though it’s unlikely we will know much until the fire itself is contained.
However, that hasn't stopped many people from speculating about the reason for the inferno.
One of the more controversial theories making its way across the internet: that this was a biblical-style punishment. Proponents of this theory argue that God caused the fire to punish California for everything from acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community to godless Hollywood hedonism.
Did God Cause the Fire?
Shortly after the blaze began, a clip from the Golden Globes – which happened just two days prior – was widely shared online, and has since been viewed tens of millions of times. In the mid-ceremony clip, host Nikki Glaser jokingly chastises Hollywood for who they thanked during their award ceremony speeches, noting a conspicuous absence.
“Cast and crew are leading the way with eleven mentions,” Glaser says. “God, creator of the universe? Zero mentions,” she continues. “No surprise in this godless town.”
To some, this was a signal that judgment was coming.
Many online saw a certain irony in Glaser’s observation, that Hollywood elites ignored God on one of their biggest nights, only to seemingly, they think, be punished by Him days later.
“Making fun of God but need his help the next day is just beyond crazy!” reads an Instagram comment with 55,000 likes. “For real though, read Revelation 16:9,” says another.
The sentiment that the Los Angeles fires are divine punishment was widely shared online – and at one point ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ even began trending on X.
Faith Leaders Weigh In
What do the nation’s faith leaders have to say about this theory?
Interestingly, the notion that God decided to punish Hollywood has not been embraced by key religious figures.
Franklin Graham weighed in on the question, saying: “People have lost everything. A lot of people are asking ‘Why?’, and that’s a hard question to answer. We want to reassure them of God’s love - that He cares for them and that He hasn’t turned His back on them. Could God be judging Hollywood? I don't know, but I don't think so.”
Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, similarly asked his community to come together in hope, rather than point fingers. “Let’s join together in prayer for the brave firefighters battling the devastating wildfires here in Southern California,” he said in a Facebook video. “Pray for their safety and strength as they work tirelessly to contain the blazes.”
Nevertheless, it’s clear that at least some Christians disagree, viewing the inferno in Los Angeles as something closer to biblical punishment than an accident of nature.
What is your reaction?
16 comments
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Lionheart
I’m one of those in a fire evacuation zone here in Los Angeles county. There are three zones, READY, SET & GO. Fortunately, so far, we are not in the high zone of GO. I’m in a READY zone, and the fire is 55% contained and is being held from traveling eastwards towards my home.
There are various causes for the fire. One of those causes is created by mankind. We had someone arrested in a park 100 yards north of my home setting fire to some shrubbery a few days ago. This catastrophe has alerted many people of fundamentalist religions that hate the United States to consider upping the anti to consider it being a good way to create more fires and hence the pandemonium that follows. So, during dry seasons, I’m sure we will see more fires suddenly cropping up now that many realize how destructive fires can be here.
So, currently, in my opinion, the blame for the severity of the destruction being caused by these fires can be leveled at poor government of California. We all know how important forest floor management is here in California. Our Governor was alerted to this many years ago, but he preferred to listen to liberal conservationists who were more worried about the damage to the flora and fauna of forest life when creating fire brakes than considering the needs of human life.
That issue, along with some dry fire hydrants, an empty reservoir, and funding being diverted away from the fire service and forest management, are all factors in a situation that was inevitable, and just waiting to happen. So…. no mythical God was involved, just poor management by human beings.
🦁❤️
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Parson Golden
No, Climate change is far more responsible.
If God chooses not to stop priests and church elders from raping our children, or give lawmakers enough courage keep our children from being shot to death in school, I’m confident it isn’t interested a fire that is compounded by human activities.
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Alan Meunier
Yes, in the very same way he punishes Floriduh and Texass with the hurricanes and floods. (sarcasm font). Bottom line, due to the VERY real climate change things will only get worse. If it is punishment for anything it is the punishment for man's stupidity and ignorance toward climate change. What is going to happen in 20 years (or less) when Floriduh is HALF the size if in existance at all?
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Theresa C. Marquess
God does not punish Florida or Texas by causing hurricanes and floods. Yes, I do see your comment as being sarcastic, Alan. As a 40+ year resident of Florida, when a storm passed through, I prayed for those who were affected in any way by the storms, and for the souls of those who lost their lives. We tried to lend a hand to those in need, shared what we had, and prayed prayers of thanks for what we had to rebuild upon.
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Thunder
Whenever it's someone they don't like, it's God's punishment for not believing in their farcical fairy tale hard enough. When it's them on the receiving end it's just a test of faith. There is no event in human history which can't be contorted into an excuse for these superstitious bigots to try and ram their mass delusion down everyone's throat.
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Rev. BH
If there were a god, he would hopefully be more concerned with saving lives, homes, jobs, churches, forests, businesses pets, etc. than destroying them. Sick to think otherwise.
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Reverend Paula Copp
I think perhaps you are forgetting Sodom and Gomorra…
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Rev. BH
yes, and other bible myths.
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Reverend Paula Copp
I think perhaps you are forgetting Sodom and Gomorra…
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Natalie
Although I am a ordained Minister/Rabbi.. I do not see what religion or G-D has to do with all of the fires. what i have seen on the news they think it was a fireworks and the Santana winds.. that started all this.. so what does religion have to do with it?
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Katelynne Shouse
🤣🤣🤣.......NOoooooo
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William E Muldrew
Yes Los Angeles is over due for a cleaning of there attributes. May this wake up the people.
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Rev. BH
You can't wake up the burnt to death.
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James Mounts
"Is God punishing Los Angeles?" Oh! I hope so.
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Mark Hannon
Perhaps God should spend more time giving lead roles to actors that are praying for the lead roles. And really, where has God's production crew been hanging out? God has to put in the work and time to get more respect at the cinema.
And has anyone else noticed that all the movies based on Bible stories have been done more than once? Really, are Jesus, Moses and Noah the only Bible characters of any interest? I suggest using the Book of Judges. The movies would probably be rated R but they might get an Artsy Movie boost.
God should take an inward look at God's self and see the need for theatrical improvements.
Wow. Superstitious people are really friggin' stupid.