Posted on 10/06/2006 4:52:43 AM PDT by Graybeard58
The Amish of Lancaster County, often seen as living in an idyllic but archaic past, have given a powerful example for the future. Their actions since the school shootings that killed five Amish girls provide one of many ways to prevent such tragedies.
Previous school shootings, notably the 1999 murders at Columbine High School, have led to calls for any number of useful, preventive measures, such as tighter security, more federal gun control, antibullying training for young children, more parental vigilance in communities, and closer screening of wayward students. And perhaps, as a result, many shootings have been prevented.
Those Old Order Amish who live a secluded life near the school at Nickel Mines, Pa., have a different idea.
Their faith in the power of forgiveness led them to invite the widow of the nonAmish killer, Charles Carl Roberts IV, to the funeral for four of the slain girls. One Amish woman told a reporter, "It's our Christian love to show to her we have not any grudges against her."
This isn't surprising. It is common for the Amish to invite car drivers who have killed one of their community members to the funeral. Such a compassionate response reveals a belief that each individual is responsible to counter violence by expressing comfort - a sort of prayer in action.
After Monday's killings, the grandfather of one of the slain girls went to the home of Roberts's father, consoling and hugging him, pouring forth a love and innocence of the kind remembered of the girls in the school. "He extended the hope of forgiveness that we all need these days," said a Roberts family spokesman, the Rev. Dwight Lefever of Living Faith Church of God. "'God met us in that kitchen."
Such examples of forgiveness are often inspiring because, to many,
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
Why does this total hindy in the air passivity make me so uncomfortable?
I thought you might want to see this, dirtboy.
I think it's really beautiful.
They are an object lesson to us all.
I have always been impressed with the dignity and the righteousness of the Amish that I have met.
The Amish capacity for forgiveness is amazing and commendable in this hour of their horrific loss.
Because the concept of forgiveness is contrary to human nature. Revenge is probably human nature speaking.
Thank you so much for the ping.
If were a universal belief we would have hundreds of thousands of unemployed lawyers.
"Their actions since the school shootings that killed five Amish girls provide one of many ways to prevent such tragedies."
The compassion demonstrated by the Amish is deeply inspiring; however, I don't see that it's particularly "one of many ways to prevent such tragedies" as the author asserts. The real message here is that the Amish are exceptional people. In an insane society, which often seems to be going down the tubes, that's a wonderful thing - but society is still insane and still seems largely to be going down the tubes, IMO.
You're welcome. Take care.
You know, I was going to put a smiley as a sign of friendliness, but I just can't do that on these threads.
I'm not talking about revenge, I'm talking about children being taught to defend themselves.
I understand. The total forgiveness of someone so soon after a tragedy like that is very foreign to us and not something I would be capable of myself. I would need some time.
OTOH, his family is not responsible for what he did and they are suffering. They have to live with the stigma of it the rest of their lives, and probably guilt, wondering what they could have done to prevent it. It doesn't sound like they had any clue and I really feel sorry for them. I cannot imagine how I'd feel if my husband went and did something like that.
So,in that respect, I think it's great that they are reaching out to his family who must be hurting so desperately. As for forgiving HIM, well, like I said, that would take me some time....a looooong time.
The article is about forgiveness - after the fact. Pacifism is a deeply rooted belief for them and precludes self defense.
I see. Well, to each their own. My kids were taught to defend themselves. But if I ever caught them STARTING a fight, only God could help them.
Are these the type of Christians that Rosie O'Donnell compares to radical islamofacts?
I remember, years ago, a man on EWTN (a Catholic TV station) lost a son in a car accident. I believe he was killed by a drunk driver. The man who lost his son did the same thing; He forgave and consoled the one who killed his son. I was always impressed with that. I would hope that I would be so moved to forgive. It takes great faith to consider what God would have you do rather than follow your own instincts to hatred and vengeance. If it were my son killed, well, I don't know.........
Because you apparently (apparent by your total mischaracterization) have never exerted the strength necessary to do what they have done.
We are taught that we HAVE to forgive -- or at least we're supposed to forgive. It's very hard. I have been spectacularly unsuccessful at it at times. I try to remember that revenge generally hurts the vengeful one worse than the target.
We are to forgive others.
Not because it's easy. Not because it makes us feel good. Not because the world says we shouldn't.
Because God, in Christ, forgave us.
I am that wretch the song talks about.
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