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State senator calls Katrina "God's Wrath"

An Alabama senator believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for sin.

Sen. Hank Erwin, R - Montevallo, says "New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have always been known for gambling, sin and wickedness. It is the kind of behavior that ultimately brings the judgment of God."

Sen. Erwin is not backing down from his statements that God sent Hurricane Katrina to wreak havoc because of sin.

"I believe the hurricane came to New Orleans because of a judgement of sin in New Orleans. New Orleans has always been known for sin," Erwin said. 

"I think it's hard to know for sure," says Fisher Humphreys, a divinity professor at Samford University.

While he is sure God does not tolerate sin, he's not convinced God sent Katrina to punish the Gulf Coast sinners.

"First God loves and cares for those people who have suffered. Second God wants the rest of us to care for them and do everything we can to help them," Humphreys says.

Erwin's statement has provoked a strong reaction from evacuees.

"He who is without sin cast the first stone. We have all sinned and come short." says Catrell Perrier. Perrier is from New Orleans.

"He is crazy," adds Laurie Kroetzky, another evacuee. "I thought he was crazy to say that."

Erwin says the innnocent along with the sinful were harmed by Katrina. Still, he understands some may not agree with his position.

"I'm not God. I'm just an individual giving a two cent opinion. What it's worth" says Erwin.