Can We Pray For Nebraska Shooter?

Yes! These are the questions that I ask myself all the time!

Everyone has heard about "walking a mile in someone's shoes," but is it at all possible for our society to imagine taking those steps, or even contemplating the thought of doing so?

Is our pampered lifestyle preventing us from wanting to feel the rocks in others' shoes?

you have good opinions Altered...

Mandy

I suspect he did it this way so that people would know WHY he did it, instead of just blowing it off as a troubled teen with a behavior problem. Our society glorifies war, weapons, and revenge. We send our children off to sacrifice their lives for this, and we call those who exact revenge on our enemies "heroes." Murder is murder - regardless of the style/color of clothing (or uniform) we are wearing at the time. I believe this boy considered himself a hero for attacking his enemies and, to borrow a phrase, providing a little "Shock and Awe" to remember him by. It would not have made the news if he'd only killed himself.

I find it disturbing that an armed guard was present at the church - equally disturbing they called her a "hero" for killing that boy. I wonder if the parents of that boy consider her a hero too. I wonder if Jesus would consider her a hero for killing another human being - I thought he was big on "turn the other cheek?" It's a shame no one was brave enough to take away his gun and give that boy a hug - a GENUINE hug - instead of a bullet. She claims God helped her KILL that boy - I suspect God would have also helped her SAVE that boy.

Do you really think Christians have the capacity to forgive? I've yet to see any evidence. After the shootings at Virginia Tech, I was touched when someone placed a memorial stone for the killer next to the victims. Unfortunately, it was promptly removed. I seriously doubt any Christians (or anyone else) have forgiven Osama Bin Ladin for 9/11, or Tim McVeigh for the OKC bombing.

All three of these boys (Omaha, Colorado, and VTech) were at the end of their rope and wanted others to feel the pain, hatred and isolation they had to endure in this world. I find it sad the only solution so far is to lock our doors and arm ourselves against our children - or isolate our children even further with home-schooling. They are the future leaders of our country. They need to learn how to live and care for others in this world, and we need to show them how it's done.

i fail to see how retaliatory hate resolves an open wound... forgiveness, imo, would be the first gateway to understanding, discussion, remedy (i would think) ..

tragedy is a desperate expression to choose... these shooters seem to believe they are speaking for many when these acts occur...

maybe its time to listen?

no offenses intended...

KathyM,
Yes, it's a sad reality that our culture glorifies weapons and violence. It's a very embarrassing part of America.

I won't get into the political debate of war, as I can see we disagree, and it's not an acceptable topic here at PC anyway.

Perhaps you should read or listen to a witness from the scene at that church-- he(an unarmed parishioner) called to the guy-- told him to put down his gun and he would talk-- then the shooter shot at him and the bullet grazed the guy's arm.(the shooter didn't want to talk- was intent on killing others) The witness then called him a coward-- and that is just what he is- a coward! He shot people, like the Nebraska guy too-- people that had NOTHING to do with their situations, unarmed people..... going about their daily lives. They didn't have guns, like in war..... they didn't have tanks or knives!

argh!! when are some people going to quit feeling sorry for those that end other people's lives? There's just no excuse-- so many, like I've said, have suffered horrific backgrounds but they don't go shooting other innocent people! What if they had killed your sister, mother or son? and the guard said-- "well, I just couldn't kill the shooter because God wouldn't want me to".... well, I think a loving God knows when enough is enough..... killing one that kills is a lesser evil than letting the killer kill hundreds. As civil educated people we should see this!

And what is it with males forcing others to "feel" their pain? I just don't get that..... but then I'm female so maybe I have too different of "mind workings" to understand???

KathyM, I respect your opinion and wish things could be the way you wish them..... yes our children need love so much and security and to feel valued....
however, I've experienced the reality of violence and loss .... I know that one can't just stand there and watch while it is happening.

mandy Ps-- I am of no religion. I believe in human integrity, dignity and value-- no matter race, gender or age. We are all worth loving and we are all leaders and followers.(IMO)

Aw, c'mon, Mandy - you've never wanted to get back at someone for doing you wrong? (jk)

I've been face-to-face with a loaded shotgun, and I would have been shot for sure if I called him a coward for sticking that thing up my nose. I've also been shot at from a distance by strangers for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My friend's son was murdered because he was mistaken for a gang member. My son's friend was murdered for the same reason. My son was almost killed for the same reason (accidentally wore his hat the wrong way while driving to work), but he was able to get away from his attackers.

I also know two people who have committed murder. I know how it continues to haunt them - their lives have been destroyed as well.

I fought HARD to keep my son out of gangs and away from drugs, and I would not allow him to carry a gun despite the danger around him. I taught him to settle disputes with communication, not with force using fists or guns because it will lead to retaliation. I taught him to treat others with respect, because disrespect will also lead to retaliation. My number one rule with him was to respect life, not destroy it.

My son is in the military now, and he'll be going to Iraq in the Spring. He joined because we couldn't afford to send him to college - joining the military was his only option. I know he has to follow orders, but his heart has already been ingrained with my instruction about life - I had him first. He'd rather take a bullet himself than have to commit murder, so the odds are I will lose my only child over there.

I applaud the person at the church who wanted to talk with this boy, but talking wasn't an option at that point - he'd know it was a trick because it's pretty obvious no one cared about him at that church. Most likely, they would have just thrown more scripture at him - then hand him over to the authorities to punish him severely.

I never said I don't grieve for the victims and their families as well - I do. But I also feel sorry for these murderers because I want the violence to end. It will never end if we continue to condemn our fellow human beings for their trespasses in life - that's God's job.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

So a guard with a gun should have stood by while people she knows and loves continue to be gunned down? I have to wonder if you would walk up to someone gunning down your loved ones and give them a hug. That is what is wrong with our society today, people who should be teaching discipline are forbidden to do so, and those charged with protecting us are condemned for doing so. Then people wonder why so many kids today are out of control. They are never taught about consequences for their actions until they are older and its too late.

no way would should anyone watch and let that happen... i dont think thats what KathyM is saying Joe...

part of forgiveness is protecting self... the intention is to open communication so there can be a parlay of ideas and balances of disagreements can be created...

anyone would be a fool to stand by and watch if they could help preven tragedy...

actually in paragraph two that is exactly what she says, they should have taken the gun away instead of shooting him, meanwhile he is continuing to shoot other people.

I refrained from posting here for reaf of upsetting anyone...but I'm with Mandy all the way.....lots of people have issues, maybe some worse, maybe some not so bad, but if all those people went around shooting where would we be? Mandy you wrote exactly how I feel......

Jinny xx

i see it now Joe... cant say how she intended that, but, it would have been a nice outcome say it had happened outside, someone saw him and surprised him and he dropped the gun and it just happened the way things sometimes happen like that...

ok, yes, a reality check... it didnt happen that way...

still, KathyM said also, at some time in this boys life, had he felt welcome and connected to others, this may not have happened..

what about teaching our children to be afraid of strangers? certainly seems reasonable???? but what is a net result???

older humans with trust issues...

added to the melting pot...

This is just a quick reply.

I want to repost the original post to get this thread back on topic.

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Because I sure would like to send my prayers for him too, and his family, including those who were killed and injured...

So much pain...
So much needless pain.

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Prayer and good wishes in this case isn't going to be everyone's thing and thats ok. Lets try to stay on topic though.

Thanks,
Rayna

Hello HeyJoe (hehe)

I know she did what she felt she had to do - it's the way situations like this have always been handled. I'm saying I find it disturbing to call her a "hero" for killing this boy. If she ever comes face-to-face with his parents, will she stand just as proudly as a hero? Will the parents of that boy thank her for killing their son? Will they smile and hug each other in a warm embrace while reliving this "heroic" moment together? I don't think so.

I find it especially disturbing because most everyone involved claim to be followers of Jesus - is this the example he set for you? In this case, a true "hero" would have had the courage to stop that boy from further destruction by surrounding him with love instead of wrath. Yeah, I know it's a lot to ask - maybe too much to ask.

As it is now, I just feel sorry for her - as I do the rest of the people effected by this tragedy.

Please let's keep religion out of our discussion of this issue, as making generalizations about anybody's religion on the basis of a recent act of violence or such is not helpful to anyone. Thank you.

I'm sorry John. I thought it was okay to also speculate in this particular forum on why our children have become so explosive. I get lonely for general discussion sometimes, and these issues have been in the forefront of my mind for years. In this case, how could I have gotten my point across without mentioning the reasons he gave for committing this crime?

I think there are more appropriate places on the 'Net to have religious discussions and debate, and this generally isn't one of them.

I'm not sure what you're referring to in terms of the "reasons he gave for committing this crime" and the OP and the gunman who killed the people in the shopping mall? Or someone else...?

I should have chosen my words more carefully...

A more appropriate subject line would have read "Can We Feel (Empathy and Sympathy) For Nebraska Shooter?"

I actually didn't intend the main focus to be of a religious nature, although I do understand that beliefs do determine alot of how people feel about certain issues.

But let's not go there too deeply. As DocJohn said:
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I think there are more appropriate places on the 'Net to have religious discussions and debate, and this generally isn't one of them.

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my apologies everyone.. no offense intended... seems no place is ever suitable for the religion/politics discussion.. i always hear how you can do that, but not here...

and then i found you all actually discussing it, so i thought ... ah, good, finally..

but i dont know a lot of intimate details and didnt want to get to technical data, just over-all generalities, which, can also do more harm than good too..

sometimes i feel like Rodney King.. "cant we all just get along?" .. (yes, i know he isnt perfect either)

It think it is so very sad and such a waste that a young man like that felt compelled to act in such a manner...felt like THAT was the only answer he could give back those around him...due to the pain felt within.
Does he deserve remorse...pity..tears? Of course he does! But...he and many out there just like him...need understanding...compassion and love much more than that. It sadly should have started long before he felt the urge to commit a such a senseless act of "violence for attention".
Prayers for him? Too late. He is part of history. Prayers can't save the past. Pray for those who grieve...pray for those who have to face a future. Pray for those who are just like that young man now...they are out there. It's up to us to see the warning signs and help them.
d.

I don't believe that there are bad people. Just bad things that happen to people. In a much less extreme example, I know I didn't get the way I am just "because"-- things happened. There are no words to describe what it means when someone has to hurt or kill others in a way to express their pain.

I do believe there are evil people, but that they become evil (rather than "just" bad) because of the environment they live in.

However, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they find that the second incident's gunman was mentally ill.

But beyond that... that his note followed the Columbine note... reminds us all that everyone needs to be noticed. He wanted to be noticed as having a reason for his life, having a purpose. We all need to have hope and have a purpose in life to be able to continue living. He didn't see his, so made one in death.

Since the media is finally beginning to realize that publicizing these wayward people is part of why they do it, and many have refused to give him "credit" for his errors, perhaps it will thwart others in the future? Or maybe even one?

I think praying for the victim's families is most appropriate. And perhaps we could pray for others who are similarly feeling the way these shooters were before their acting out.

one can only hope Sky.. they tried to downplay the Columbine shooters too.. no evidence it deterred anyone... since that time, here in Colorado, there's been a number of copycats...