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.
Does love they neighbor only apply if they are Christian? Or only if they keep their mouths shut?
I’m truly serious—does your church teach that we should abhor those of other faiths?
Did you honestly expect anything else?
Why wasn’t there a Hindi cleric? At least one of the people killed was an Indian.
Samuel the Priest gave up the Ghost
and all Israel mourn-ed,
mourn-ed, mourn-ed, and all Israel mourn-ed.
mourn-ed, mourn-ed, and all Israel mourn-ed.
Have Pity on me, O ye my Friends,
for the Hand of God hath touch-ed me.
Have Pity on me, O ye my Friends,
for the Hand of God hath touch-ed me.
Lover and Friend hast thou put far from me,
and mine Acquaintance into Darkness.
Have Pity on me, O ye my Friends,
for the Hand of God hath touch-ed me.
I am weary with my Groaning;
all the Night I make my Bed to swim.
I water my Couch with my Tears.
Have Pity on me, O ye my Friends,
for the Hand of God hath touch-ed me.
My Soul cleveth unto the Dust;
my Soul melteth for Heaviness.
Have Pity on me, O ye my Friends,
for the Hand of God hath touch-ed me.
Naked came I out of my Mother’s Womb,
and naked shall I return.
The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away,
and blessed be the Name of the Lord.
ANTHEM: FUNERAL ANTHEM
William Billings
02 January 1784
Boston
...there’s no reason why a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or whatever can’t speak.
Agree to a large extent. If we are going to have brotherhood and religious tolerance then a public celebration should include all these faiths.
And the Christian minister should not be afraid to present his faith with genuineness any less than the other spiritual leaders.
After reading nearly all of the posts on this thread, I think WND is trying to stir the pot but this time there is nothing to stir.
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Thank you so much for saying this. These people have the right to the service they want and find meaningful. I will not stand in judgement of it or ridicule it out of respect for the victims of this tragic massacre. I found the words of the Muslim speaker to be quite comforting and well spoken.
Do you mean that it’s inappropriate, in a nation in which the majority of people still identify themselves as Christian, to to wonder why Jesus was not even mentioned at such a time?
Or do I misunderstand your post?
susie
I thought President Bush did a fine job. I turned it off though when the Buddhist lady came on. It started sounding contrived.
Ah yes. “Selective” freedom of speech. They believe in absolutes, but only their own absolute moral relativism.
I missed the Muslim. I turned it off with the Buddhist.
IMO, I find it inappropriate of anyone to b-tch about it when some of the parents with dead kids have yet to be informed they lost their child. Save it for another day and spend some time in prayer.
The poster’s comment should have been repulsive to everyone, and most importantly, to those who are in charge of this forum. And apparently it was deemed to be unacceptable.
I disagree - I was very disappointed in the Lutheran for his obvious shame of Christ (which I noted while watching the live convocation). Like many liberal "Christians" that I know, he was embarrassed to admit that he is a Christian, because he cares more about what the World thinks than what God thinks.
I also felt for the Buddhist lady - in her pain she wanted to pray to someone, but cannot identify that someone, so chose to suggest that everyone meditate (perhaps pray to self?).
I agree, ShandaLear. Thank you for your comments.
During the remarks by the head of the Buddhist campus group (a very white female)
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