And it compares it with how the American politicians responded to the 9/11 attacks.On Monday the 2nd of October, 2006, Charles Carl Roberts lined up 11 Amish girls and shot them at point blank range before committing suicide. He was reportedly angry at God for taking his daughter, who had died at just 20 minutes old. 5 of the Amish girls have died so far. 2 of the girls are reported to have asked to be shot first, to buy the others some time. How did the Amish react to this atrocity?
That evening they gathered together and organised a horse and buggy to visit the family of Charles Carl Roberts with food and sympathy. They invited the killer's widow to the family funerals. They bought a lock for their schoolroom door. Now they aim to establish two funds, one for the families of the dead girls, one to provide for the killers family.
For debate:On September the 11th, 2001, two airliners crashed into the twin towers, leading to 2,997 deaths. The hijackers were apparently motivated by a desire to punish America for its support of Israel; its military bases in the Middle East; and its sanctions against the Iraqi people. How did America, with its ostensibly Christian leadership, react to this atrocity?
They curtailed basic domestic liberties with the foundation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the passing of the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. act. They invaded Afghanistan leading to the further 3,700-5,000 civilian deaths directly (uncounted are those dead from lack of suitable water, medical treatment, or food). They invaded Iraq, leading to an excess mortality rate of something to the tune of (now well over) 100,000 civilian deaths. They tortured people. They imprisoned them without legal recourse. They flew them to countries to be tortured. They never did get their man.
Comparing the two situations, is the "Amish response the more Christian, the more practical, and the more successful one"?
What should be the Biblical response when friends and family are murdered?
