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.
Me too. I heard the guy say "Allah" and thought "WTF?", then turned it off. I checked it again a few minutes later and it sounded like the same guy was still on, so I turned it off for good.
I heard a tiny bit of Michael Savage tonight and he was P.O.'ed about it too, plus some of the other speakers. From the little bit I heard, I'm glad I turned off the ceremony before I heard the rest of the speakers. I was too tired to listen to take much Savage tonight, so I turned him too.
Virginia Tech English Professor, Nikki Giovanni, leads the crowd in a cheer after closing remarks at a convocation to honor the victims of a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Tuesday, April 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A CHEER...??!!
I accept your apologies, 1lawlady. We all make mistakes. Blessings to you and yours too. :)
That’s just plain bizzare...
Yesterday, at work, my co-worker had her computer on a station that was airing the convocation. For some reason, I didn’t want to hear it, and instead put on my headphones and listened to lovely and comforting music of the ancient and traditional church.
I’m glad I did.
“Allah” is the moon god from Hell. Buddha taught pacificism and peace.
Liberal “Christian “ clerics are a pox on the face of Christianity.
Why am I not surprised?
WTF ?
The universities reveal their hatred for Christianity.
Who defended the “omission of Jesus”? He was NOT omitted. God was invoked. This article is spurious and just trying to get people riled up.
Actually, I agree somewhat with stayathomemom, in that the song does not directly mention Jesus and therefore can be acceptable in places where the name of Jesus might offend.
But we know who wrote it, and why, and of what he spoke when he penned the words. We know what “Amazing Grace” is.
So you can sing a Christian song without getting caught by the offense-police.
I suppose some would rather they sing “Just As I Am”, or “Onward Christian Soldiers”, but at least they didn’t sing “Morning Has Broken”......
I thought that part was funny because having said “commonwealth”, he then tried to say “throughout the state”, but when he got to “state” I think he got hung up because he had just said we weren’t a state but a commonwealth, so he just stumbled through it kind of mumbling the word “state”.
In some ways Kaine was right. Literally, the state, as all governments, manages the “common wealth” for all it’s citizens. And by having a state government, you do give up some power to control “commons”. The key is to limit what is common to the least necessary to keep the peace and provide security and liberty.
Wrong kind of Lutheran for a more biblical treatise, I suspect.
Indeed sir, indeed.
This is a college, which means there is a higher concentration of barking moonbats than usual.
>>>I also don’t see why people are offended by having a muslim speaker.<<<
A speaker from the muslim cult that wants to kill all Christians and Jews and destroy western culture? Heaven forbid anyone would be offended by that satan worshiper.
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