A devastating 8.9 earthquake off the Pacific coast in Japan set off a massive tsunami, resulting in floods, fires and the closure of airports and transit systems. As many as 300 bodies have been found on a beach in Sendai, on the northeast coast, with another 110 confirmed dead elsewhere.

The Times welcomes your comments about the tragedy befalling Japan. This post has been created for you to share your insights about this natural disaster. Please be respectful. Comments that are in violation of the L.A. Times' terms of service will not be published.

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-- Tony Pierce
twitter.com/busblog

Photo: Light planes and vehicles sit among the debris after they were swept by a tsunami that struck Sendai airport. Credit: Associated Press

Japan's 8.9 magnitude earthquake Friday that sparked a devastating tsunami has also sparked a lot of fear and panic across the world, including in the hearts of readers of the Los Angeles Times.

"This is such a tragedy... God doesn't exist..." said one anonymous commenter to the Framework photo blog.

Another Times reader went the other direction, claiming that not only does God exist, but he is trying to show us something through these natural disasters.

"We need to repent and turn from ourselves. The Truth is out there and we need to search for it in order to understand, but it is not Nostradamos. Read what Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 and then what was revealed to John in Revelation 6. These pains the Earth is experiencing is God showing mercy before things get worse. It will get much worse before God cracks the sky and returns to bring a complete restoration," Steve wrote.

Kiran Naik-Pune also mentioned God in regard to this disaster: "huge tragedy. world needs to put more efforts on early warning systems so that precious lives are saved instead of making weapons to kill one another. natural disasters cannot be averted at large extent but we do need to attend global warming. but now the moment is to pray for the victims and help them from all quarters.
perhaps this is a gods test for humanity," Naik-Pune wrote.

A few expressed support for those affected by the tragedy spiritually but without invoking God. "We might not save the World from destructive forces of nature. But we can stand for each-other. World is praying for you," Anujit Roy said.

What's your take? Should religion be taken into account when natural disasters occur? Leave your thoughts below.

RELATED:
Photos: Scenes from the Japan earthquake and tsunami
Video: Hundreds killed in tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake
Japan earthquake, tsunami kill hundreds, cause crippling damage

-- Tony Pierce
twitter.com/busblog

Photo: Houses are swept by water following a tsunami and earthquake in Natori City, Japan, after a massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit the country's northeast coast. Credit: Reuters