"We think it was God's plan and we're going to have to pick up the pieces and keep going," he said. "
What do you think about him saying that this was God's plan?
Reference Yahoo article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061004/ap_on_re_us/amish_school_shooting;_ylt=Ajc5nYSLaQKDtpNVN7FAYFes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MjBwMWtkBHNlYwM3MTg-
2006-10-04 04:53:14 · 20 answers · asked by James C 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I personally disagree but understand that while under stress people will sometimes say things that are not exactly what they mean.
I expext that he meant that things happen that we can never understand and that God may work through a tragedy in ways that we can never see or understand.
2006-10-04 04:58:28 · answer #1 · answered by zero 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a great question. I'm a Christian, but I've never quite settled on how I feel about bad things being part of "God's plan". I'm not convinced that he sits there pulling our strings all day. I tend to think that, since we are given free will, things that happen here on Earth are pretty much up to us. It may be his plan as to whether he chooses to intervene (which I sometimes think he does....not sure how he chooses when to do it, though. It's obviously based on reasons we can't understand.) I guess I think that the "long range" plan is His....he promised us salvation through Jesus Christ.... but things that happen in the short term here on Earth are more our choices rather than His. I do think he often finds a way to use our tragedies to help us grow in some way, however.
Again, great question. I'll be interested to hear the answers.
2006-10-04 11:59:12 · answer #2 · answered by Schleppy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. It's difficult for everyone watching. I praise God I wasn't there, and neither was anyone in my family, but it just as easily could've happened anywhere. God has a plan for everyone. He knew when he put each of those baby girls on this earth exactly how long they would live. I'm glad the community has such a strong faith and will be able to overcome this tragedy.
2006-10-04 11:57:22 · answer #3 · answered by teeney1116 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is his way of handling tragedy.
There was no culpability on the Amish people.
They were there, that's all.
They did not die working or playing or for any other reason than at the hands of hate. They do not accept the outside world, so in his statement you can see him saying that his belief was not the cause, his belief is handling it.
He can be criticized for his faith, or would you rather have him pick up a gun and threaten any one who comes near his family or land?
2006-10-04 12:01:21 · answer #4 · answered by dyke_in_heat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He said that because he has no reason to question his faith. The Amish are very devout. To them, this tragedy WAS a part of God's plan.
Who am I to tell him differently? If these people didn't have their faith to get them through this tragedy, they would be devastated. Their faith keeps them strong..
A person stated yesterday that without faith all they would have are 5 dead girls. I concur.
2006-10-04 11:57:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
He's just living and behaving according to his faith, regardless of what you or I think.
Amish people are good, god fearing people. I used to live in Lancaster County Pa. and most of my neighbors were Amish. They are trying to accept and make sense of this just like any other "god believer" would.
2006-10-04 11:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by DontPanic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they are amish, they put their faith and trust in god. if something happens, the amish are not going to question why it happened, but more what are we to learn from this. They are not stupid, they just have a different faith and a trust in that faith that things will work out in the end.
2006-10-04 11:55:40 · answer #7 · answered by Chuck'n Da Deuce 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is the way of their faith to have trust in god even when the incomprehensible happens. I think it makes him an admirable adherent to his beliefs.
2006-10-04 12:05:01 · answer #8 · answered by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I applaud this man's willingness to trust God, even in such a tragedy. I think I would have a hard time responding that way.
2006-10-04 11:56:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think he can justify it any way he want's. If my daughter had just been shot to death, I would hope that whatever I said was respected.
2006-10-04 11:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋