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.
It sounds like while raised a Lutheran, you are not involved enough these days to know what is going on. Do you even know how many LCMS churches are in your state? (15). There are about 19 WELS.
"That's a man baby!"
I didn’t take your advice yesterday and was sorry to see such ugliness.
I’m taking it today.
How about it shows what a REPUBLIC we have become?
The Muslim spoke before the Buddhist.
I listened to Dubya, then left. When I came back to my car the Buddhist lady was talking.
I should have taken my own advice and not even bothered to post on this thread either. If you read this thread in its entirety, you’ll see what I mean. Well, I’m taking my advice today. BTW, “HONK”. ;)
Yes, I agree.....
susie
It is possible that the OP is incorrect (I have not seen a transcript). However, mentioning God and mentioning Jesus are not the same thing, and the OP said Jesus was not mentioned, so someone told me they knew God was. I simply responded to that.
susie
It’s very tiresome to keep hearing “people are looking for something to be offended about”. I could as well say, “people are looking for threads to come and complain about”. Oh, wait, perhaps that’s true....
susie
Thank you for your details.
susie
And I find that those repulsed by my comments usually have an ethnic, economic or political interest they want to protect and hide behind.
"Perhaps the mods would be willing to delete your comment if you request it."
I see you must have hit the abuse button, or perhaps whined in some other way.
I'll stand by what I said. If you don't like it, tough.
Such a lady. Well said.
Way cool. You’re one talented writer.
Thank you for your kind words, Kay. I was hesitant to open your two pings to this thread because I figured the comments would include more flames than flowers, and I’ve found that flames burn me out. ;)
Know what you mean. This place is a good place for news but can be cruel and biting — perhaps like the weather in Alaska? Certainly doesn’t reflect on you or Jim Robinson who remain good.
Good analogy, Kay. Yes, the weather here can be “cruel and biting”, or as we refer to it, “brutal”. And yet, Alaska is a good place to be, just like FR, even in the worst of climates.
"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).
This minister has a lot to learn.
Well, I guess it worked because everybody DID get all riled up. I watched the whole thing, and did not hear one mention of Jesus. Though I recognize Jesus as G_d, and G-d was invoked, I and many of His followers did not want to play the cloak and dagger p.c. game of not mentioning Jesus for fear of offending other faiths. These other faiths unashamedly proclaim their god. Why not us? It has ever been thus--you can talk about G_d all day long, and people are friendly and engaged, and will talk about their concepts of god. But when you mention Jesus, people go nuts, and actually start hating. I suspect it's the conviction thing--that He claims to be G-d and that one can't do enough good works to work their way into Heaven--it's a gift. It seems to boggle the human mind. Maybe it's the original derangement syndrome. Who knows?
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