Posted on 04/17/2007 5:19:24 PM PDT by wagglebee
Speakers at the Virginia Tech convocation yesterday called on Allah and Buddha in their efforts to minister to the survivors, family and friends of victims of the shooting massacre at the school but Jesus wasn't mentioned.
It was left up to President Bush to come the closest to offering a biblical message of hope, when he suggested the school community that lost 32 members to the shootings by an out-of-control resident alien student find "comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God."
But even he didn't bring Jesus, the only hope of comfort and future life for Christians, into the memorials.
"I'm sitting here watching the convocation service at VT," wrote a WND reader who was given anonymity. "Five minutes ago they had four representatives from the local 'religious community.' The Muslim specifically invoked Allah's blessings and he didn't shy away from saying the name of Allah. The Jewish rep asked for God's blessings. Buddha was represented. The only name that [was] omitted, of course, Jesus Christ."
And another WND reader cited the speakers, in order:
"BUT NOT ONE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN PASTOR/PREACHER. NO INVOCATION OF THE NAME OF CHRIST JESUS," the reader said.
"The only thing that surprised me, though, is that they didn't have a rep from the Universal Life 'church' or the 'Church of Satan.' Go figure," said the first reader.
It was up to the president to deliver references to Christianity.
"People who have never met you are praying for you," Bush said. "They're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, a real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and the guidance of a loving God."
Most of the other official statements of condolence released also ignored the savior of the Christian faith.
"Today is a day to reflect on our many blessings of family, neighbors, and our Blacksburg community, which includes the students of Virginia Tech," said a statement from the town of Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech is located.
"I urge Virginians to keep these victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers," said Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat.
"In time, Americans will learn more about the circumstances of this senseless tragedy. For now and forever after, our hearts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the other students, faculty and staff of Virginia Tech, and their families," said Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican.
"My heart goes out to the parents and families of the victims of this senseless act," said Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat.
The school has announced a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the mass killing Monday. The campus also was ordered closed through this week, and counseling services were being made available to students, faculty and staff.
"We come to express our sympathy in this time of anguish. I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking about you and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected," the president told the community assembly.
"May God bless you and keep you and keep the souls of the lost and may his love touch all of those who suffer and grieve," he concluded.
He earlier had ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half staff at the White House, federal buildings and grounds, naval craft and military posts through Sunday.
"Our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering," Bush said in the flag proclamation.
Authorities have identified the shooter as Cho Seung-Hui, 23, a senior English major at the school whose class writings were so disturbing he previously had been referred for counseling.
Mother Theresa? OMG! How do you sleep at night? LOL!
What did this ‘very white female’ say?
I repeat, I would not ask a moderator to remove a post simply because I, personally, found it offensive. I’ve been personally offended by many comments throughout the years and have NEVER hit the abuse button for personal reasons. I would alert a moderator to a particular post if I thought that it was questionable with regards to FR’s values.
Now, if you’re done beating this dead horse, please get off my saddle. ;)
I doubt they opened a phone book, closed their eyes and called the first four people they stuck their finger on. To pull something together that fast, that had to have gone to the people they knew.
“This is repulsive!”
It’s also wrong. The Virginia governor spoke of Jesus.
But what do you expect from the World Nut?
You may be right on to have a problem with the Lutheran, but the article said that Jesus was not mentioned. Some people posted that that is not true. Therefore I think WND is trying to stir the pot.
I didn’t watch the whole thing. When the blond came on and started talking about blacks with AIDS I turned it off. She was there to spew a political agenda.
I personally think everybody has the right to grieve for the and pray for them according to their own beliefs. WorldNutDaily could have at least put aside their need to advance their agenda for one day and join everybody in honoring the students’ memory. People on the far right who want to exploit this disgust me to no end.
I’m sure your right. I would think the University has a chapel on their campus. If so, it is possible that the chapel offers religious services for those of different faiths and they would have asked their religious preachers to offer words of comfort at today’s convocation.
University Distinguished Professor -- A sense of humor is vitally important, says Ms. Giovanni, who thinks humans are sweet, not silly. She continues, offering a series of reasons why it is important to continue to remind everyone that The South lost America's Civil War. She decries terrorism and terrorists, includes George W. Bush among the latter, and decries all bullies. She tells the story of why she has a tattoo for Tupak Shakur. http://paulagordon.com/shows/giovanni/
Well said.
The Buddhist spoke of the need for understanding and forgiveness.
You know...the usual liberal PC stuff.
If only Jesus was mentioned instead.
(with apologies to George Orwell):
WorldNet Daily is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.
Hello Wormwood. It appears that some facts actually were interjected in the latter posting.
If the minister is ashamed to mention Christ, that’s his way, I guess, but I wish he would stop calling himself Lutheran. There is nothing Lutheran about being afraid to offend someone for the sake of Christ!
I wonder where the rumor started that says the minister was ashamed to mention Christ? Me thinks people are barking at the moon...or bats....or they are moonbats. LOL
EXACTLY and so could may people in this thread. How would thy like it if someone of a different faith tried to dictate the terms of their funeral or memorial service?
I will agree with you when Saudi Arabia opens 100 Church & 100 Synagogues and allows religions freedom to all people.
Until that time, I'll be offended with Islam in America & Europe.
Why are you offended by the freedoms offered in your country that aren’t offered in others? You should be proud of that. The murderer certainly didn’t target people based on religion. It’s possible a Muslim was among the victims.
“Speakers at the Virginia Tech convocation yesterday called on Allah and Buddha..”
That’s what they will get, Allah and Buddha.
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