The Vomit Awards - Repent America

Repent America is Michael Marcavage's ministry. According to Repent America's web site, the ministry is based in Philadelphia.

Michael Marcavage's ministry, Repent America, appears to feel that Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed much of the city of New Orleans, was a result of the sins of the city. The Repent America web site has a press release titled, "Hurricane Katrina Destroys New Orleans Days Before 'Southern Decadence.'" The news release states he said the following:

The past three mayors of New Orleans, including Sidney Barthelomew, Marc H. Morial, and C. Ray Nagin, issued official proclamations welcoming visitors to "Southern Decadence". Additionally, New Orleans City Council made other proclamations recognizing the annual homosexual celebration.

The news release continues:

"We must help and pray for those ravaged by this disaster, but let us not forget that the citizens of New Orleans tolerated and welcomed the wickedness in their city for so long," Marcavage said. "May this act of God cause us all to think about what we tolerate in our city limits, and bring us trembling before the throne of Almighty God," Marcavage concluded.

In the ancient world, many people believed in angry gods. They tried to appease those gods to ensure there would be no disasters. Repent America almost seems to believe God is an angry storm god and must be appeased. This picture of God stands in stark contrast with the picture of God presented in the gospels, a God who loved the world so much He poured out His love on a cross.

For painting a picture of God as an angry God who must be appeased and for implying gay people might be partially responsible for the hurricane that destroyed much of New Orleans in August of 2005, we give Repent America the You Make Jesus Vomit Award. People wanting to know more about Repent America can read the press release on the Repent America web site.

A news article about Repent America can be found on the PlanetOut and the Gay.Com UK and Ireland web sites.