I found this response amazing, gentle, and godly. Those of us who attack one other (me being one of us) would do well to read this response by the Amish...and at least contemplate the response. Truly astounding. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15120230/
I read this earlier today. This is hours later. I wish to the bottom of my heart I could believe it, for these gentle folks' peace; but I fear the same "forgiving parents" are going to be in a world of hurt later on, until they acknowledge the hatred in their breast for this animal. I have known Amish and today, I deeply grieve with them.
What is happening is that for the last forty years we have raised children with not enough in the way of a sense of responsibility. We have taught them that nothing is ever their fault or their responsibility. It's always the governments responsibility, or the fault of big business, or the church, or the president, or their parents, or their teachers, or the kids in school with them. Then we're amazed when these people strike out at others.
The Amish are amazingly peaceful people. It's a shame when something like this happens to anyone/group, but they are about as peaceful as they come.
I had the pleasure of seeing how they lived, in Wisconsin, working for Taliesin. Traditional farmers, Belgian-draft team loggers. They logged, choosing only deadfall, and with the Belgian teams they wrought far less damage to the forest ecosystem than mechanical systems. By design. I am only saddened this guy didn't take his "fight with god" to a field, alone.
I'm amazed at the power of forgiveness they hold in their hearts...and that it is spread across the entire group. I couldn't do that, nor never have, nor was raised to have that as such a core value. blows my mind and makes me think!
That is spot on. Most kids today expect instant gratification for their wims and as you say, know no responsibility. Sad stuff.
That's right, their reaction teaches us that destiny is not in our hands and it needs a perfection of forgiveness to overcome this tragedy. If they could have foreseen the whole situation they would have sovled it without bloodshed.
Please explain further. Do you mean that the killer was an extreme example of a person who didn't know how to accept responsability for his conditions and circumstances? This isn't a political bs question. I'd like it if you expanded your comments. Dave