Someone was interviewing with CNN (looked like a priest or minister) and he said something like: "As a good friend of mine who is Amish said, it's a good thing this happened to this community and not to another one, where people were less prepared to meet their maker." Do you think the parents of those children would agree? How will the surviving children feel about it a month from now? How sick does it have to get, when people start praising others for being "good victims?"
2006-10-04 09:13:10 · 9 answers · asked by Zelda Hunter 7 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
I'm not faulting anyone for their religious beliefs. I also think there are a lot of people who DO think things through a lot, and may not choose to join some kind of knee-jerk evangelical Christian group.
It's true the Amish are very peaceful, religious and modest people. Probably most of them are "good people." That's why I find it completely abhorrent when someone sends out a signal like: "We don't like this, but if you crazy psychotic SOBs really need to come kill some innocent people, it's better if you come and off the Amish." Sorry, but that's the message I got from that "stunt."
2006-10-04 09:30:40 · update #1
I think that it is sick to praise others for being "good victims". Just goes to show the mentality, they think they're better prepared to "meet their maker"
I don't know if the parents would agree. I do think that they wouldn't wish a tragedy like they suffered on anyone else, and maybe they will see it as an opportunity to get closer to god. I did read a report about one of the parents of one of the girls who were killed that she did not have any ill feelings towards her child's killer, and that she has already forgiven him.
2006-10-04 09:26:35 · answer #1 · answered by moonie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When people die, some who are living don't know what to say. They seem to think that if they say the right thing it will help. So they say things like "It was God's will," or "God must have wanted another little angel" or something like that. As if God wanted those precious little girls to die--what kind of God would that be?!
Our society needs to become more comfortable with not having the answers all the time. Especially in the face of death. In my experience, it's good to tell the truth: "I'm so sorry" "I can only imagine how hard this is for you" ""I don't know what to say" are much more humane and truthful than saying the Amish were better prepared spiritually for their children to die.
And oh, by the way, don't most Christian theologians teach that all young children who die go straight to heaven because they're too young to be responsible for their "sins"?
2006-10-04 09:29:04 · answer #2 · answered by Yogini108 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think he was trying to make a point regarding how strong the Amish people are. Being a human being I don't know how your religion can sustain you if it was one of your children in that room. You would have to think of how those children suffered before they were killed.
I believe in God but I don't know how I could be prepared for something like that. You send your child to school and this happens. If what this guy said is true, I don't think it's twisted or sick. I think it is different from what you or I may feel or be capable of doing.
2006-10-04 09:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I would have to agree with Tyler.....there are 'good victims' and for their ability to handle this and TRULY forgive, they are models for the rest of us who would most definately have become angry and demand revenge. NOT that that is such a bad thing, especially where right and wrong is so blatant....
My older sister is Mennonite, and they would react the same way....the old school Anabaptists surely have some of their teachings right....I could never live as they do but I deeply respect their lives and I would wager anything that if you could talk to the parents of each of those girls that they would be grieving, but ultimately at peace because they know their daughters are with the Lord, and that because God does not control people...(He gives us all free choice!) that He will be there for them because they obey.....
This world is filled with problems and hurdles so that we can learn lessons and desire our perfect home in Heaven.....
Sorry to get off on a tangent....I see your point but I also feel that the Amish should be emulated more in their overwhelming desire to forgive and be prepared for whatever life/God deals them....
2006-10-04 09:26:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I grew up very near Lancaster, so I understand what his friend said. I don't agree, but there was another person from the Amish community who asked them not to hate the gunman. These peolple are peace-loving Christian people who keep to themselves. I don't think he was really praising them, just that they followed their beliefs.
2006-10-04 09:23:49 · answer #5 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Having a good faith in God is a source of strength for some, for others, it is uncomfortable since they don't want to address any issues in their life beyond making another call on the cell or going to Starbucks.
Willingly or un-willingly, we all come to God. Just not on OUR terms.
2006-10-04 09:23:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The remark impresses me as quite tactless.
2006-10-04 09:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no good victim this is sick
2006-10-04 09:21:11 · answer #8 · answered by Jimbo23 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i just don't know, their are in such thing as a 'good victim'
2006-10-04 09:19:12 · answer #9 · answered by Tyler Durdan 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋