God must be PISSED! - or - Were Mayan's right about 2012?

I just watched the movie 2012 the other night (I like disaster movies). The movie seemed a little over-the-top with its cities falling apart and all. I actually laughed at the movie; not what I think the producers intended.   Nevertheless, I watched it to the end, even though I was bored because I wanted to see the Archs float.

Throughout time, man has worried about and predicted the end of time. I was raised Catholic and know all about The Book of Revelations. It may happen, but I just can't understand the premise that God sends floods and storms and locusts to punish his people. This just doesn't seem to reconcile with the idea of a benevolent and all loving God. And if God did send his only son to be crucified on the cross, why would he turn around and send Katrina to flood New Orleans?

Disasters happen all the time. I live in California and we all wait any day for the "Big One." So if we know that it might happen at any time, is it fair to say its God's punishment? Isn't that like saying its not fair I got wet when I stood outside in the rain.

Some disasters are not as easily anticipated. But does that mean they are a punishment or just not what we expected?

In the last several months we have seen a number of earthquakes and now volcanic eruptions.

The Huffington Post is reporting that (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/21/katla-volcano-threat-of-n_n_545784.html):

Scientists fear tremors at the Eyjafjallajokull (ay-yah-FYAH-lah-yer-kuhl) volcano could trigger an even more dangerous eruption at the nearby Katla volcano – creating a worst-case scenario for the airline industry and travelers around the globe.

A Katla eruption would be 10 times stronger and shoot higher and larger plumes of ash into the air than its smaller neighbor, which has already brought European air travel to a standstill for five days and promises severe travel delays for days more.

So now we have been warned. It could be catastrophic for many people, their lives forever changed. It could cause food shortages in Europe, bankrupt farmers in Argentina, New Zealand and elsewhere who depend on air travel to see their products. We should all do what we can to help those who suffer, as a moral obligation. But I don't see how it should be called punishment, because time and again, those that suffer the most are those less fortunate. The poor invariably suffer the most. Are they being punished because they are poor?  I just can't believe that... but then I don't believe in God.