1 Corinthians 10:8

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand (KJV)

Then: Example (or shock statement) #2 following vs 6: Another one of the warnings in Paul's list to the Corinthians. They should be careful about sexual immorality. That major problem stemming from the influence of multiple temples can keep them from the eternal presence of Christ. Paul and, evidently, other religious leaders of his time justifiably believe the Israelites took part in sexual rituals while worshiping the golden calf (Baal). Even though commentators disagree about that interpretation in Exodus 32:6 onward, Baker (p. 143) and Thiselton, (p. 735) accept it. Dunn and Rogerson (p. 1334) refer readers to Numbers 25:1-9 which is more explicit and also discusses eating and bowing before Baalpeor. Paul's concern for abandoning purity before the Lord points to God's wrath - twenty-three thousand dead in one day. Corinthians really needed to know the consequences of what they were doing.

Now: Americans were shocked at 3000 dead on 9-11 and that didn't ever relate to a judgement. There is no state religious hierarchy. Paul's warning goes to individuals who follow the Lord and look to please him. Knowing his teachings and obeying them is as important for us as it was for the Corinthians. Staying personally clean in a loose, materialistic society is difficult, but not impossible.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.
The First Epistle to the Corinthians: a commentary on the Greek text by Anthony C. Thiselton (Authentic Media, c2000) online at 717http://books.google.com/books?id=IHG_DNLpmroC&dq=1st+Corinthian+commentaries&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=W9fQSpC1GILplAfHiumoCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CB8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Eerdmans commentary on the Bible by James D. G. Dunn, John William Rogerson on line at http://books.google.com/books?id=2Vo-11umIZQC&pg=PA1353&lpg=PA1353&dq=1+Corinthians+9+commentary&source=bl&ots=5QeQaYWrMS&sig=S5F3KcA_TvNMyywqRiimySoUYtc&hl=en&ei=QqHPSouICIWj8AaZxqyABA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBzgU#v=onepage&q=1%20Corinthians%209%20commentary&f=false