Yesterday, in Knoxville, Tennessee, a gunman walked into a Unitarian Universalist church and opened fire on the congregation while they were preparing to watch their children perform a play. (You can read about it here.) I will withhold any speculation concerning the man’s motives, as it is entirely unnecessary and unhelpful in these circumstances.
I am very thankful that none of those children were harmed. I would hope that those of us who pray will lift up prayers for the families that have been affected by this as well as for the gunman and his family, so that peace may be restored to all of them.
When I heard of this, I was reminded of the incident in the Amish community a while back and the words of the grandfather of one of those slain children there. He told reporters that he had insured the children that the man who had opened fire on them was not evil. I think we should remember that grandfather’s words before we pass judgment on this man.
peace, wayf
I would like to say that when I read about this my first thought was "I can't believe this happened." Unfortunately, my first thought was "ANOTHER ONE?!?!?"
All we can do is give it to God, though.
peace, wayf
I watched a show this weekend called THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS. There were several stories featured ... including the Amish Schoolhouse.
I had heard that the children had prayed for the shooter even as he was shooting. The Amish community tore down the schoolhouse to remove the reminder, but as a community, they chose to forgive. One of the men said, "Forgiveness is not something that we do once, but something that we must choose everyday."
Another story was about a man whose son was killed by another man's grandson. The two men chose to forgive and have become friends, saying that it was their only choice ... One of the men said, "If he and I can forgive and choose to be friends, imagine what could happen if everyone chose forgiveness" ...
Imagine ...
Hugggggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
I read some of the news reports. Very sad.
I have read some of the accounts of how the Amish responded to that slaying of their children. I understand they helped the widow pay for the funeral of her husband, the assailant.
ron
there is enough evidence right now to prove him a cold blooded murderer, I don't pray for killers, God will judge him but the laws of men will put him away for life or execute him...pre-meditation will get you that.BC
The world would indeed be a radically different place, though.
I hope that the members of the UU church and their families can find it in their hearts to forgive. It is the only way peace can be restored to their lives.
peace, wayf
The reaction of that Amish community during the aftermath of that shooting had (and continues to have) a lasting effect on my life.
As I told Taylor, I just hope that the members of that UU congregation and their families can find it in their hearts to forgive in the same way.
peace, wayf
He will likely get executed for his actions.
peace, wayf
I understand Big Chis's judgement of the incident.
As always, the real answer is somewhere in the middle.
I would like to think that I could forgive a man, who
has killed my child, but I honestly, don't know if I
could. I am not a strong enough human to think about
the forgiving of someone, who has just thrown you into
the worst nightmare any Father could possibly have.
I admired the Amish man. I didn't think he was crazy or
anything. I thought he was being the man of humility,
of self-sacrifice, of absolute compassion, for his fellow
human being. I don't know about you, but that's what we
are suppose to subscribe to, as humans! It is exactly what
Jesus taught us, while he walked the earth.
Once in every while, some old guys gets up annd makes
perfect sense. That Amish guy was pin-point, bull's eye,
eight ball in the corner pocket!
God, I wish I could be like him!
Joe
Like I told Ron, that Amish community's reaction to those events has had a continuing effect on my life. I may not be able to put that sort of forgiveness into practice, but their example has certainly come back to haunt me in times when I have been to judgmental of others, that's for sure.
peace, wayf
Just for fun ...
COURT ORDER!!!
You are accused of crawling into my HEART
And hijacking my SMILES with your KINDNESS.
HOW DO YOU PLEAD?
GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU are sentenced to blogship for life.
No bail. :)
As a community service and in the name of blogship,
you could send this along to your friends ...
No penalty either way,
But if you get 10 back, you must be a keeper!
I already think you are!
Hugggggggggggggggz,
Taylor
Having grown up in an amish community, I have often thought of the simplicity of their life. The reason they can so freely forgive is because they see life as a gift from God and the peace there is in death is the way to heaven, then death does not have the sting it could have, The power is stripped from man, so forgiveness is easier, and it doesn't mean condoning or forgiving the act, but the power is placed in God's hand. That does not mean there isn't grief, but the grief comes from missing your loved one while you wait on the earth to rejoin them one day. My life has been filled with this type of understanding. I have a wonderful set of sisters that were cousins who had cystic fibrosis, who knew their life would be shortened and wrote their own funerals. Francis left earth first at the ripe old age of 28 and Jennifer soon after at 19. We knew their life was a gift and their death a blessing to hem yet grief to us. There was no one to blame when they departed and we miss them dearly to this day. We have a choice, to be angry and live on that fueled anger or forgive and let their lives have a message, have an out reach and to hug others in God warm embrace.