Sunday Morning Church Shooting
I apologize for posting so late, I don't live under a rock as it probably seems, I have just been busy with the opera production... I noticed a video on Yahoo's News page a few minutes ago about a shooting that took place in a church in Knoxville, TN just yesterday (Sunday) morning.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_re_us/church_shooting
I watched the videos associated with the story and learned that police had found a letter in the shooter's home, written by the shooter, that explained his frustration with not being able to find a job and his apparently passionate opinion regarding the 'liberal movement'. He confessed that he had intended to continue shooting people until the police arrived and he expected to be taken out by them to stop him.
He entered the church with a guitar case that concealed his gun and when he pulled out the rifle, he killed one man who tried to stop him from shooting others. Eight others were injured and in serious condition, with the report that one of the eight had just passed on from the injuries sustained.
This sick man's actions, according to his statements to police and his letter regarding the 'liberal' movement, were apparently directed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church because they are welcoming of gays and lesbians.
Clearly this man knew what he was doing and targeted this specific church because it chooses to take a stance for gay and lesbian rights. Strangely enough, the question is raised- "is this a hate crime?" Pardon my lack of an eloquent response, but DUH! Murder is usually a crime committed out of a serious hate for someone- but this in particular fits the bill for which the hate crime legislation was created! It's not strange that "hate crime" should come up with this case- it is only strange that there is even a question about it.
My point was not to go off on a tangent regarding hate crime legislation and the police's hesitancy to use the phrase at all unless they are completely sure it will be accepted well by the general public as fitting of the situation, but I did think it was interesting how it was not as obvious to them and the reporting media as it was to me.
On another note, this incident brings further into light the problems that gay and lesbian Christians face. Please, please, please.... talk to someone about standing up for themselves as a gay person and as a Christian. As a Christian and a lesbian, I find myself searching for something to back me up. This passage of scripture has recently been the one that gives me the most joy. I know who I am. I know my love is real and I know that God loves me and has a plan for my life. I hope that every gay Christian out there understands that they have every right to serve their God and be themselves.
Please, please, please.... stand up for yourself and explain to others in a peaceful manner your views and make known your commitment to God and your willingness to be true to yourself no matter who stands against you. This is a very difficult thing to do, but the more people who are able to do this, the more presence we will have and the sooner we will earn acceptance. For those who read this and disagree, that is your right and I respect our differences. Please remember that I do not expect you or anyone to understand and I do not wish to merely be tolerated, but I hope that you can accept me as I am and realize that I am not and gay and lesbian Christians are not a threat and are not against you. We all have to learn to coexist as members of the same society. We all wish for peace and love to overcome all adversities.
I will pray for the congregation of the TN Valley Unitarian Universalist Church and all of those who were affected by this tragedy. I will also continue to pray for those who have similar believes as the shooter- may your eyes be opened and you learn what love truly is. I will leave you with this passage that is special to me:
1 JOHN 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
If you want to know more about peace, love, and spirituality as it relates to GLBT issues, please see http://www.soulforce.org/. To understand more about the theological issues surrounding homosexuality, please see http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080728/ap_on_re_us/church_shooting
I watched the videos associated with the story and learned that police had found a letter in the shooter's home, written by the shooter, that explained his frustration with not being able to find a job and his apparently passionate opinion regarding the 'liberal movement'. He confessed that he had intended to continue shooting people until the police arrived and he expected to be taken out by them to stop him.
He entered the church with a guitar case that concealed his gun and when he pulled out the rifle, he killed one man who tried to stop him from shooting others. Eight others were injured and in serious condition, with the report that one of the eight had just passed on from the injuries sustained.
This sick man's actions, according to his statements to police and his letter regarding the 'liberal' movement, were apparently directed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church because they are welcoming of gays and lesbians.
Clearly this man knew what he was doing and targeted this specific church because it chooses to take a stance for gay and lesbian rights. Strangely enough, the question is raised- "is this a hate crime?" Pardon my lack of an eloquent response, but DUH! Murder is usually a crime committed out of a serious hate for someone- but this in particular fits the bill for which the hate crime legislation was created! It's not strange that "hate crime" should come up with this case- it is only strange that there is even a question about it.
My point was not to go off on a tangent regarding hate crime legislation and the police's hesitancy to use the phrase at all unless they are completely sure it will be accepted well by the general public as fitting of the situation, but I did think it was interesting how it was not as obvious to them and the reporting media as it was to me.
On another note, this incident brings further into light the problems that gay and lesbian Christians face. Please, please, please.... talk to someone about standing up for themselves as a gay person and as a Christian. As a Christian and a lesbian, I find myself searching for something to back me up. This passage of scripture has recently been the one that gives me the most joy. I know who I am. I know my love is real and I know that God loves me and has a plan for my life. I hope that every gay Christian out there understands that they have every right to serve their God and be themselves.
Please, please, please.... stand up for yourself and explain to others in a peaceful manner your views and make known your commitment to God and your willingness to be true to yourself no matter who stands against you. This is a very difficult thing to do, but the more people who are able to do this, the more presence we will have and the sooner we will earn acceptance. For those who read this and disagree, that is your right and I respect our differences. Please remember that I do not expect you or anyone to understand and I do not wish to merely be tolerated, but I hope that you can accept me as I am and realize that I am not and gay and lesbian Christians are not a threat and are not against you. We all have to learn to coexist as members of the same society. We all wish for peace and love to overcome all adversities.
I will pray for the congregation of the TN Valley Unitarian Universalist Church and all of those who were affected by this tragedy. I will also continue to pray for those who have similar believes as the shooter- may your eyes be opened and you learn what love truly is. I will leave you with this passage that is special to me:
1 JOHN 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
If you want to know more about peace, love, and spirituality as it relates to GLBT issues, please see http://www.soulforce.org/. To understand more about the theological issues surrounding homosexuality, please see http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/.
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