The Tsunami as a deliberate act of G-d?

I belong to several listservs. Even where the Tsunami is completely off-topic, the subject has come up. All have discussed what can be done to help. In one major case, along with what we can do, and whether or not the US has done enough, and whether or not the UN is doing what it should, and whether or not the countries are politicizing the aid being accepted, are posts on the cause of the Tsunami.

No, they aren't discussing earthquakes and after shocks, they are discussing G-d. Was this "act of G-d deliberate?" "Was it meant to teach 'us' a lesson?"

I do not believe that natural disasters happen to large groups of innocents to send a message to one particular religious group or another. Especially half-way around the world! It is the height of vanity and conceit to think that G-d created the Tsunami because of "our actions", and even if some part of you thinks this even remotely, it shows incredible depths of arrogance and lack of compassion to explore the ideas in the midst of a conversation concerned with helping others recover from such a terrible disaster.

Will G-d really bring disaster on the world to punish for sins? Will he kill the innocent and the guilty alike? Has he done this before? Was the Holocaust a punishment to the Jewish people for not keeping Kosher????

There are Bible phrases that can be quoted and interpreted that will make some believe that this is a warning from G-d. I believe it comes as a warning to us that our tsunami, earthquake, hurricane, and weather warnings need to be improved, strengthened, and increased. G-d helps those who help themselves.

I believe in a gentle, loving, compassionate, forgiving G-d. I will continue to pray for the dead and the living, wherever destruction hit. I will give money for aid, and help in any way I can from such a distance. I will pray that it never happens again. And I will continue to believe in a G-d who emphasizes his attribute of mercy above all others.