Tuesday, October 03, 2006

A school shooting like no other


Yesterday, a 32 year old man barricaded a small amish school building in Pennsylvania to take "revenge for an old grudge" and opened fire on innocent school girls that ranged from 6 to 13 years of age, killing two girls immediately [plus an adult teacher's aid], before turning the gun on himself. while 2 died later in hospital, with five injured in total. Apparently this man was angry at God and life, he was emotionally and spiritually detached because of the death of his daughter three years ago. He had also apparantly molested young girls a few decades previous without his family knowing. According to his wife he was an outstanding husband who loved and cared for their family. This sparks wonder in my head as to why a loving husband would tear apart an isolated, innocent community. I think of Job in the Old Testament who lost his livelihood and still didn't deny God or rebuke Him; although he believed his fate was due to some sin in his life. I think this man, named Charles Carl Roberts, is an extreme example of people blaming God for what has befallen them. In the case of Roberts it seems that he gave up on God all together, seemingly without telling anyone. He allowed himself to go insane with rage.
On the opposite end of the story are the families of the little girls that were killed, who have completely forgiven Roberts and have begun the healing process. As a support to these families even Roberts' wife is asking prayer for her family and for the families of those lost.
I think that in all the stories that we hear about school shootings in North America this is the one that can offer the best spiritual lesson. In the complete article (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15113706/) the mother of a victim is quoted to say, "There’s two things that happen to your faith. Either you let it go and get bitter, or you grow stronger — and we’ll grow stronger." I think that that's a truth that no one can deny and this horrible incident proves it. I just hope that it doesn't take another incident like this to make people realize the truth.

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