I would probably not use the word dumb, but I do not believe this response to natural disasters is an appropriate Christian response. I can not speak for others but this is my belief. The city of New Orleans suffered terribly in the aftermath of a great hurricane. It is my belief that this had more to do with a people choosing to occupy a city that lies below sea level than it does with their moral or religious condition. It had more to do with poor planning than it did with the wrath of God. People tend to build cities adjacent to bodies of water as a means of survival; occasionally this practice leaves us vulnerable to the forces of nature. The same could be said for other natural disasters. These accusations represent a form of judgement; they are hurtful and should be voiced.
Philosophically, Intellectually and Scientifically, such beliefs are Horrendously Idiotic.
These world-views are the obvious and direct result of extremely biased Religious Indoctrination and are a perfect example of what Religious Indoctrination can do to the minds of humans.
Indoctrination causes Contamination of the individual's MindWare and in children it can lead to Extremely Insane Beliefs, such as produced by David Silvester.
This is Demonstrable Evidence of why Religious Indoctrination of Children Should Cease.
Such Indoctrination only Produces Extreme Loons who then publicly proclaim complete nonsense like David Silvester, Pat Robertson and others: http://www.advocate.com/politics/2012/10/31/10-disasters-gays-were-blamed-causing?page=full
The only way to reduce the number and influence of such wacko lunatics is to cease the Religious Indoctrination of Children completely and Internationally.
Just imagine, if you can, a country where the individuals in power, high office, The Media, are most often people that in terms of psychological disorders, Patients without a bed. And unfortunately, you won't have to imagine too hard. This is the norm in our society. When you look at the people that run our different offices, and really analyze the behaviors and choices that are made by them. It isn't too long before a rational adult starts to see the "Cracks in the Wall". I dare any of you, and those with a Mental Health or Psychology background, please chime in. To research the actions, comments, etc. that these Heads of Faith and for that matter Heads of many esteemed systems, and then compare them to the 100 plus years of real research done by doctors, and the like on mental disorders and it won't be long before you realize...... The Patients are running the Asylum.