[Grovenet] Vengeance

[Meredith Bliss]

There is also the possibility that whether we understand or not is irrelevant. 
Thomas Merton once remarked that were it not for hermits in seclusion and 
others devoted to contemplative prayer, the world would have flown apart long 
ago. Perhaps it is only because there are those like the Amish that the rest 
of us are still able to live lives of quiet, or not so quiet, desperation.

On Thursday 12 October 2006 12:47, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> Yes, that is a story that should be told again and again about a people who
> have much to teach the rest of us.
>
> And, yet, they don't want the story used to spread word of their faith.
> They believe that true faith is taught by experience and example, not by
> words and threats.
>
> And a whole universe away - at the different pole of public perception -
> there are Muslims who point out that the Koran teaches exactly the same
> thing. Like the Amish, those are the quiet Muslims who do not scream or
> demonstrate or turn to violence, even when faced with horrible violence.
>
> It seems like the rest of us live between those two poles, amazed and
> unable to understand either one.
>
>
> Ron D'Eau Claire
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> Behalf Of allnutt
> Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 11:23 AM
> To: Forest Grove local interests list
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Vengeance
>
>
> The Amish have the respect and admiration of the whole country  now, and if
> they don't, they should.
> I am impressed beyond belief by the report that one of the girls requested
> that the shooter shoot her first in an attempt to save the others.  It
> takes
>
> a person who truly knows that they are bound for heaven to sacrifice
> themselves in an attempt to let somebody else live. Especially at the age
> of
>
> 12 or so.
> And actually living a life that exemplifies forgiveness and generosity is
> the other thing that people find both amazing and refreshing. Not only did
> they forgive the guy, but they are setting aside some of the
> donations that are pouring in for the shooter's family.
> They recognize that the pain the guy caused was widespread and impacted
> people beyond their own community.
> Faith in action is such a powerful statement, and it is heartening to see
> it
>
> practiced on the gentle side here in this country since we have repeatedly
> seen it on the vengeful side lately.
>
> Katie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marguerite Storbo" <mstorbo at comcast.net>
> To: "'Forest Grove local interests list'" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 8:59 AM
> Subject: [Grovenet] Vengeance
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com]
> > On Behalf Of allnutt I think we've got just a tad bit overboard in the
> > vengeance arena but heck,
> > that is just my opinion.
> > Katie
> >
> > Yeah, well, those Amish are just wackos with their belief that Jesus
> > taught forgiveness above all.  We need to strike, and strike hard.
> > It's the only thing those infidels understand. The Christians backed
> > off way too early in the Crusades, in my opinion, should have finished
> > what they started...
> >
> > Marguerite
> > -tongue firmly planted in cheek
> >
> >
> >
> >
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-- 
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Just happy to be here, but speaking 
only for myself!
Meredith Bliss --- www.rdrop.com/~mbliss
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