What did YOUR God think about the Amish looking out for the family of the man...

thomez · 10-11-2006, 10:29 AM

who murdered their children?

As I recall, a fund was set up for the families of the Amish victims, and the Amish insisted on their being a similar fund setup for the family of the murderer.

Did your God smile or frown when he saw that? Please explain.

(I thought about this while shoveling gravel, though I'm not religious at all)

lew · 10-11-2006, 10:31 AM

Probably smile.

thomez · 10-11-2006, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by lew

Probably smile.

I thought it was interesting to think about.

ballz2wallz · 10-11-2006, 11:18 AM

I absolutely loved the example the Amish set for Christians around the world. Here they are, this horrible tragedy that occurred to them, their loved ones, and those around them, and what is their first response? Forgiveness. That was just great to see. Nobody can say anything negative about that and Christianity.

God smiled, of course.

thomez · 10-11-2006, 11:31 AM

I thought it was pretty cool myself, but I could understand thinking otherwise as well.

Is a policy of immediate forgiveness a policy of weakness?

Just seems interesting.

IminWonderland · 10-11-2006, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I absolutely loved the example the Amish set for Christians around the world. Here they are, this horrible tragedy that occurred to them, their loved ones, and those around them, and what is their first response? Forgiveness. That was just great to see. Nobody can say anything negative about that and Christianity.

God smiled, of course.

I totally agree with this.

I think they set a great example for Christians around the world.

ballz2wallz · 10-11-2006, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by thomez

I thought it was pretty cool myself, but I could understand thinking otherwise as well.

Is a policy of immediate forgiveness a policy of weakness?

Just seems interesting.

Not necessarily. I don't believe there is a set response to follow. I think God is smiling down on them now, because that's the response they chose to take.

However, God also believes in discipline; although this guy is already dead so there is nobody to discipline. I guess the only choice to take here is forgiveness. If he were alive, they could either press charges or forgive, both of which God would probably smile on.

lew · 10-11-2006, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by thomez

I thought it was pretty cool myself, but I could understand thinking otherwise as well.

Is a policy of immediate forgiveness a policy of weakness?

Just seems interesting.

Forgiveness takes strength, not weakness.

thomez · 10-11-2006, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by lew

Forgiveness takes strength, not weakness.

It just seems unnatural to not be angry and to forgive so quickly. Seems weak in that respect, you know what I mean?

motivez · 10-11-2006, 02:31 PM

I think it shows strength of convictions that they're not the ones to judge, God is, and they're going to let him handle that. Why waste energy on being angry when they can't change it? It's certainly not the fault of the families.

I think they set a great example for Christian's all over the country and I would actively encourage more of them to take after the Amish in that regard.

I mean, they'd have their own little communities away from the rest of us, they wouldn't vote...

Okay, I kid*, but I really do think it's big of them and I think even without the religious aspect to it, it's a great decision.

* not

Stylerod · 10-11-2006, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by thomez

It just seems unnatural to not be angry and to forgive so quickly. Seems weak in that respect, you know what I mean?

No. I remember a while back seeing a man (a minister) on the news. His daughter was raped and murdered by some guy. When it came time for the sentencing he went up and begged them not to give him the death penalty. He said he forgave the man. I couldn't beleive it. I thought he was the strongest man I had ever seen.

if it was me, I would have been begging to be the one that got to kill the guy

Dumpy Dooby · 10-11-2006, 03:56 PM

I wasn't impressed with the forgiveness. I think that makes them undeserving of sympathy. By forgiving the guy, they're absolving him of his wrong-doings. Loving the meek and turning the other cheek makes for a very weak society.

I see nothing admirable about forgiving him. He didn't deserve it.

WickedLou9 · 10-11-2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I absolutely loved the example the Amish set for Christians around the world. Here they are, this horrible tragedy that occurred to them, their loved ones, and those around them, and what is their first response? Forgiveness. That was just great to see. Nobody can say anything negative about that and Christianity.

God smiled, of course.

i'll second that

ballz2wallz · 10-11-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

I think that makes them undeserving of sympathy.

Maybe they don't want your sympathy

By forgiving the guy, they're absolving him of his wrong-doings.

Absolutely not.

lew · 10-11-2006, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

I wasn't impressed with the forgiveness. I think that makes them undeserving of sympathy. By forgiving the guy, they're absolving him of his wrong-doings. Loving the meek and turning the other cheek makes for a very weak society.

I see nothing admirable about forgiving him. He didn't deserve it.

Loving the meek and turning the other cheek make for a very, very strong society. It was Christians that took over Rome.

thomez · 10-11-2006, 06:52 PM

if all of society was so quick to forgive, it seems that justice would be a stranger

KatKanPlay · 10-11-2006, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

I wasn't impressed with the forgiveness. I think that makes them undeserving of sympathy. By forgiving the guy, they're absolving him of his wrong-doings.

By forgiving the guy, they cleanse their own lives. They will let God take care of his wrong-doings. They forgave him for themselves, it had nothing to do with him. IMO

Diesel66 · 10-11-2006, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by thomez

It just seems unnatural to not be angry and to forgive so quickly. Seems weak in that respect, you know what I mean?

No point in being angry at his family, even though it is a natural reaction.

thomez · 10-11-2006, 10:33 PM

do parents absolve themselves of all responsibility of their children's actions when they turn 18?

I'm full of philosophical questions today

Kytro · 10-11-2006, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by thomez

It just seems unnatural to not be angry and to forgive so quickly. Seems weak in that respect, you know what I mean?

Yeah, it does, but being angry rarely does any good.