Christians: If you were grieving from a tragedy like the VT massacre?

Question

would you appreciate a "rapid response" team of Muslims or Buddhist to be dispatched to help counsel you? Even if they didn't preach, but were just there to give you a hug or a shoulder to cry on?

Franklin Graham has apparently just done this with a group from his Christian organization.

Or is this crass opportunism?

UPDATE from Breakfast Monkey suggests that it is more crass opportunism than benign altruism.

Whatever their actual intent, I question what sort of skills or training in crisis intervention a bunch of seminary students have. Offering platitudes about God's mysterious plan and salvation through Jesus is NOT helpful.

Answer 1

It smacks of opportunism, but most of them are probably very well intentioned. My worry is that none of them are qualified for counseling of any kind. What they should have done is provided 24 hour support AT the church or student center for those who want to come in. I'm sure plenty would.

Getting together and talking is important after a tragedy. Don't be too hard on those who want to help in God's name, even if they are a little misguided.

Answer 2

You could look at it as "crass opportunism" if you like, in fact it may be. I can't see into Mr. Graham's heart. Right now, unless I'm told otherwise by him or one close to him, he is doing it to minister to them. For no other reason than to share himself. You sound like a crass pessimist. Not everyone is looking out for themselves, but I guess most people are so we just judge people (which you blast us for) and say they are insincere. Come on.

Oh, if a Muslim or Buddhist, or Jew, or even an atheist sent a support group from their organization to give me support in the manner of a hug, or shoulder to cry on, I'd take it and be thankful.

Your question implies assumption. You assume too much, so therefore you have just made an. . .well you get the idea.

Answer 3

actually, i used to work with a JW that was the nicest man i have ever met and he would give you the shirt off of his back and we were really good friends and talked and cut-up about everything. but, to answer your question i think that would be really nice of them....Farrakhan's (spelling) muslim gentlemen are always in the streets at the traffic lights where i live handing out free litter, i mean literature. is that crass opportunism?

Answer 4

Muslims, no. Buddhist, yes. As long as they don't push their religion, the Christian fundies are OK. Problem is, I don't think that they can do it without pushing their religious beliefs and they are not properly trained to do crisis intervention. The mental health people come out for this sort of thing and they are the best for the job. The last thing they need is some well meaning fool telling them that is was God's will. Most don't even have good theology either.

Answer 5

Psalms 91:7-12tells us...A thousand will fall at your very side And ten thousand at your right hand.......read on for it tells you why....because Jehovah and his angels will be with you in the time of the calamity that will come on the earth. They will protect you and not even let you hit your toe on a rock.
It will affect each of us but some will die and some will watch them die...what group do you want to be in?

The tragedy that happened to those young people will be as a drop in the bucket when all out war breaks loose in the spirit realm. There will be no warning. So bring yourselves into harmony with God's will now ...and you may survive the world wide war of Jesus.
Have a bible study to learn all the details.
http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 6

I would appreciate people reaching out to comfort me.

As a Christian, I would be skeptical that a Muslim or Buddhist would really want to comfort me in my grief.

It is written that Jesus Christ is the Great Counselor. I get counseling, comfort, encouragement from Jesus Christ or from others in faith.

BTW many of the mourning are Christian. One who was shot, yet survived, parent had a Christian ministry to help others in other countries. So, also, victims were also Christian & their soul/spirit is in heaven with the Lord.


If you are writing these questions to falsely accuse Franklin Graham for having alterior motives, expect God to deal with you about this. Franklin Graham is a man of faith & many come to Gods Saving Grace through His ministry.

Answer 7

The Christian faith teaches that the most important commandment is to love God and love one another above all else. Muslims would not have such an organized mission of comfort and love even though they may try to help as individuals. You question is irrelevant even though I know what you are trying to say. Are you also offended that medical and psychological help was dispatched?

Answer 8

when tragedy hits it is about the tragedy not the people offering comfort. I would take any ones attempt of counseling me. Maybe not a flaming gay person though. Then I would feel uncomfortable if it was overpowering to me in behavior. Honest answer obviously.

Answer 9

O fcourse I'd be happy to have anybody to listen to me in time of despair and suffering. I don't shun people because they believe differently then me, especially if they're there for my emotional or even physical aid. But the ultimate shoulder for me to cry on, and the ultimate aid will be my God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit above anybody, christain or not.

Answer 10

I would welcome any and all who wanted to show me their compassion in my grief. Giving and receiving comfort at such a time is a human need, and shame on you and the breakfast guy for daring to suggest that anyone would take advantage of such a tragedy to further an "agenda".
Seems to me that it is people like YOU who have an agenda, and it is getting old.