Did you see this???

oliveplants · Oct 2, 2006

http://westtexas.cox.net/cci/newsna...=article&id=D8KGL6E00&_action=validatearticle

How? Why? This is just nuts!

catlover · Oct 2, 2006

Yes, I did, it's very sad too many sociopaths have access to guns.

There has been three school shootings in the past week in this country.

ZiSunka · Oct 2, 2006

Even the Amish, who separate themselves from the world to avoid things like this, are not immune to the effects of the world. We all live in a sinful and fallen world, whether we hide from it or not.

MrJim · Oct 2, 2006

Jehane · Oct 2, 2006

It stuns me that you guys haven't done something about your gun laws & that people continue to send their kids outside the home to school when this sort of thing seems to happen so often. Even one school shooting is one too many. I know it could happen in the home as well but I think at least we'd be all together. Our gun laws are quite strict & got worse after the Port Arthur massacre so the only people I know who keep guns all happen to be either Americans or farmers.

The good news is it's one more indicator that Jesus is on His way & I for one can't wait!

catlover · Oct 2, 2006

It stuns me that you guys haven't done something about your gun laws & that people continue to send their kids outside the home to school when this sort of thing seems to happen so often. Even one school shooting is one too many. I know it could happen in the home as well but I think at least we'd be all together. Our gun laws are quite strict & got worse after the Port Arthur massacre so the only people I know who keep guns all happen to be either Americans or farmers.

The good news is it's one more indicator that Jesus is on His way & I for one can't wait!
--------------------------------------

I can't figure out why a person would target people like The Amish?

Is there ever an explanation for such violence?

Jehane · Oct 2, 2006

No, there's no explanation. It is simply the result of our fall from grace & people choosing darkness rather than the light. Sometimes I can't wait to get home where I belong but if we all went who would stand against the rising tide? Christ would so I must stand in his place.

ZiSunka · Oct 2, 2006

catlover said:
I can't figure out why a person would target people like The Amish?

Is there ever an explanation for such violence?

He left a suicide note saying he had a 20 year grudge and it was time to get revenge.

On the news, they speculated that it was about sexual abuse that was never dealt with properly. Two weeks ago there was a big report in the NY Times about widespread sexual abuse in the eastern PA Amish community and when he read that report, it dredged up stuff from when he was a little boy, even though he wasn't Amish. But that's just speculation at this point.

Danfrey · Oct 2, 2006

It is a shame to see senseless violence like this. I am afraid there will be more to come before it is over. One of things were talking about at work is the part the media plays in encouraging more of these types of incidents. Unfortunately by our great communication systems give people that are looking for a grand exit just what they are looking for by exploiting the victims of these crimes. I am sure this one is probably all over the news channels because it involves the Amish.

On a positive note, it is easier as a community of believers to accept something like this than it would be for non-believers. Not that it makes it easier, but at least those in the community will know where to lean for strength.

oliveplants · Oct 2, 2006

I don't mean to trivialise this incident, and hijack my own thread in the process, but am wondering...

How does calling the police tie in with the idea of nonresistance?

The nonresistance part is still something I'm trying to wrap my mind around. I just read an updated news story, and it said the teacher ran off and called the cops. Is this ethical? You know what I mean? At what point is self-defense allowed? Or is it different because they were 'secular' policemen?
I often wonder what I would do if someone threatened my children...

Jehane · Oct 2, 2006

I haven't read an up-date but if she wasn't a hostage wouldn't it have been unethical if she hadn't contacted the police? Although Amish schools generally have Amish teachers sometimes they are Mennonite. I wonder if it will mean phones in Amish schools now? Although the general Amish policy is non-resistance individuals within any movement often have differing views as to what that actually means.

This is one of the most bizarre attacks I've ever heard about but it could be a wonderful opportunity for witness, like Columbine was. Ugh! it's awful the things we do to each other.

Danfrey · Oct 3, 2006

oliveplants said:
I don't mean to trivialise this incident, and hijack my own thread in the process, but am wondering...

How does calling the police tie in with the idea of nonresistance?

The nonresistance part is still something I'm trying to wrap my mind around. I just read an updated news story, and it said the teacher ran off and called the cops. Is this ethical? You know what I mean? At what point is self-defense allowed? Or is it different because they were 'secular' policemen?
I often wonder what I would do if someone threatened my children...

Wow, that is a very tough question. I guess I will have to answer a big I don't know on this one. In the same situation, I would like to think that I would like to think that I would have immediately started praying for God's deliverence, but it is hard to say unless you are in the situation. Roman's does tell us that the government is in place to deal with the evildoer, so I guess this could be the other side of the coin. Maybe prayer and notifying the authorities would be the best route, which is what I am sure this teacher did. As with anything that happens, I tend to believe that this would not have happened unless God allowed it to happen. Understanding this can help overcome some of the why questions that are sure to come up.

ACADEMIC · Oct 3, 2006

As I understand it, the teacher had to find a passerby who had a cell phone, when police were finally alerted.

oliveplants · Oct 3, 2006

Thanks for not beating me up for asking.
I think she did the right thing.

Jehane · Oct 3, 2006

Why would we beat you up? You asked a civil question.

ZiSunka · Oct 3, 2006

The news is reporting many different things about why he did this.

Some are saying that he decided to kill the children because he had thoughts of molesting little girls like he supposedly did 20 years ago. But none of the relatives he is supposed to have molested remember being molested.

Another station is reporting that as a child, one of his friends was killed in a buggy accident. His friend was supposedly walking along a road and was run over by a buggy and it ruined her family's lives. They reported that two months ago, the father of this friend committed suicide and left a note saying his life was not worth living since his daughter was killed.

Another news service is reporting that Roberts's grandmother was a bitter woman and used to say that he was worthless would probably grow up to be a killer and this was his way of hurting that grandmother.

Sounds like a very complicated life with lots of pain. I feel compassion for him, a lost soul with all these burdens without any hope.

MrJim · Oct 3, 2006

WalkInHisFootsteps said:
The news is reporting many different things about why he did this.

Some are saying that he decided to kill the children because he had thoughts of molesting little girls like he supposedly did 20 years ago. But none of the relatives he is supposed to have molested remember being molested.

Another station is reporting that as a child, one of his friends was killed in a buggy accident. His friend was supposedly walking along a road and was run over by a buggy and it ruined her family's lives. They reported that two months ago, the father of this friend committed suicide and left a note saying his life was not worth living since his daughter was killed.

Another news service is reporting that Roberts's grandmother was a bitter woman and used to say that he was worthless would probably grow up to be a killer and this was his way of hurting that grandmother.

Sounds like a very complicated life with lots of pain. I feel compassion for him, a lost soul with all these burdens without any hope.

With all the stories going around I wonder if we'll ever get the whole truth?

ZiSunka · Oct 3, 2006

Probably never will.

Who really knows why people commit evil, especially against children.

MrJim · Oct 3, 2006

WalkInHisFootsteps said:
Probably never will.

Who really knows why people commit evil, especially against children.

This may sound far-fetched and I wouldn't bring it up except it is seen in the NT and Jesus enabled his disciples to deal with it...what about demon possession?

oliveplants · Oct 3, 2006

Jehane said:
Why would we beat you up? You asked a civil question.

Well, I forget how civil you all are. It could easily have been taken as an attack on the anabaptist belief system.

Anyway, it now appears that the girls would have been molested if the police hadn't arrived when they did.

I just read that an Amish man visited the killer's family, hugged them and forgave him. What a testimony!

Menno, it is quite possible the man was posessed; at least tormented.

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