The mandate from heaven

One of the reasons I love National Public Radio is that their reporters give you a holistic approach to news, that gives you cultural flavor as well as the facts.

One of their stories on the killer earthquake in China is a perfect example of that.

Morning Edition offered a political analysis of the earthquake that included the concept of a mandate from the heavens.

According to Chinese culture, the heavens give a mandate to earthly rulers, but if the rulers fail in some way, then the heavens rescind that mandate and give an ominous sign in the form of a terrible earthquake or massive famine or another natural disaster.

So despite the official atheism, the Communists are a little worried about how the earthquake will play out.

As a student of Chinese culture, I find this fascinating.

And as an American frustrated with the current White House resident, that concept sure puts Hurricane Katrina in a new light for me.