Amish Forgive, Pray And Mourn

Amish Mourn Victims Of School Shootings, Urge Forgiveness Of Killer

(CBS/AP)  In just about any other community, a deadly school shooting would have brought demands from civic leaders for tighter gun laws and better security, and the victims' loved ones would have lashed out at the gunman's family or threatened to sue.

But that's not the Amish way.

As they struggle with the slayings of five of their children in a one-room schoolhouse, the Amish in this Lancaster County village are turning the other cheek, urging forgiveness of the killer and quietly accepting what comes their way as God's will.

"They know their children are going to heaven. They know their children are innocent ... and they know that they will join them in death," said Gertrude Huntington, a Michigan researcher and expert on children in Amish society.

"The hurt is very great," Huntington said. "But they don't balance the hurt with hate."

In the aftermath of Monday's violence, the Amish are looking inward, relying on themselves and their faith, just as they have for centuries. They hold themselves apart from the modern world, and have as little to do with civil authorities as possible.

Amish mourners have been going from home to home for two days to attend viewings for the five victims, all little girls laid out in white dresses made by their families. Such viewings occur almost immediately after the bodies arrive at the parents' homes.

Typically, they are so crowded, "if you start crying, you've got to figure out whose shoulder to cry on," said Rita Rhoads, a Mennonite midwife who delivered two of the five girls slain in the attack.

At some Amish viewings, upwards of 1,000 to 1,500 people might visit a family's home to pay respects, according to Jack Meyer, 60, a buggy operator in Bird in Hand. Such visits are important, given the lack of e-mail and phone communication, Meyer said.

The Amish have also been reaching out to the family of the gunman, Charles Carl Roberts IV, 32, who committed suicide during the attack.

"The Amish neighbor came that very night, around 9 o'clock in the evening, and offered forgiveness to the family," Dwight Lefever, a Roberts family spokesman, told CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts.

"I hope they stay around here and they'll have a lot of friends and a lot of support," Daniel Esh, a 57-year-old Amish artist and woodworker whose three grandnephews were inside the school during the attack, said of the Roberts.

[marla55]

My thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of the victims of violence in this horrible tragedy in Amish Country,PA. I am deeply saddened that cruelty that has been evidenced on a community I have admired for their conviction to their faith.

[tkarb40]

I am very sickened when reading this story. What is hard for me to believe, is his own wife was attending a prayer group that she led to pray for the community's school children while her own husband is out there killing school children. There is obviously more to this than we will ever know. But are there signs that were evident in this man that were ignored or do people like this just go crazy without any outward signs. My prayers go out to all the victims familys, I can't even imagine having to go through something like this.

[mechelle8456]

This whole thing is so very tragic. It is unfortuante in so many ways that this man was so good at hiding what was going on inside him and that young innocent childern paid the price for it. We must remember that we are all children of God and that this man was a poor lost sole and did not know the real God if he could do something like this. We must also remember that we need to pray for his wife and children as well because this is something they are left to deal with because he took the cowards way out by shooting himself. I am grateful to God that this community knows God's true purpose and will not place blame on his family for his actions. God truly is wonderful and we must remember that always even through the tough times.

[rsoxfan1123]

He told the police to back away or he would shoot, then shot 10 of them with five dying. Did they back away and try to sneak up, or continue to come right in? This sick, twisted event remonds me in a vague way of Waco.

[my2cents2-]

I am sick at heart over the shooting in PA. I live in a country where billions are spent in a war that makes no sence to me. At the same time sick people are wandering around with no recourse to deal with their sickness other than acting out in such horrific ways. Just suppose that we matched our war spending on a system where people who are menatlly ill could turn to an enviroment where they would find the kind of help they desperately need? We have lost our way, and it started when Ronald Reagan turned the unfortunate mentally ill out of institutions onto the streets. A caring nation would recognize that there are people who are deranged and must be helped. They need an environment where they could be helped and at the same time would protect the rest of us.

[rsoxfan1123]

my sympathy for the "mentally ill" in this case is pretty limited, since you have a pedophile that was tormented over rape fantasies until he murdered five little girls in an apparent nasty mass rape attempt. had that been my daughter in there, I doubt I'd be as forgiving as these Amish apparently are. I'd be tempted to say "good riddance" to him and the world is now a better place that he is gone. Too bad he didn't shoot himself first...

[lestb35]

Bought supplies six days earlier, huh. Hmmm, wasn't that about the time CBS aired that episode of Cold Case where the teens did a mock Columbine and gang rape to the backdrop of hard rock music? Could there possibly be a correlation between say graphic glamorized *** and teen mass murder to say a schoolhouse mass murder. I wonder....

[rsoxfan1123]

I seriously doubt watching a tv program caused this. And are you sure CBS "glamorized" it? more likely this guy got inspired by what happened in colorado, but he had to be a time bomb to begin with.

[cntrygrllst]

Forgiveness is what is taught in God's house, it is for him to decide what is to be done with this man's sole not us.

[sparkles1976]

CBS News - I have an issue with photo #5 connected to this story. The Amish people do not allow their photograph to be taken, as it is against their religion. They will allow you to take photos that show a person in silhouette, but do not want anything that shows their facial features. Dolls for the children don't have faces either, for the same reasons. Obviously, the photographer took this photo without the subjects' consent. It would be questionable, because you can't see her entire face, but if you know this woman, you would be able to tell that it is a picture of her. Because of this, I feel that it is very disrespectful for you to publish it.

[lestb35]

rsoxfn1123, watch the show then comment. I was horrified when i saw it and I actually made the comment that some deranged person is going to watch this and do it. It was salacious and definately "glamorized". Get a copy and see for yourself. You won't believe it.

[lestb35]

NOt only that rdsxfn1123, the Colorado incident happened right after the airing of that show. It was highly irresponsible outrageous programing. Just watch it and see if you can stomach it.

soul not sole

[lestb35]

rsoxfn1123, I actually sent CBS an email complaining of the content of that Cold Case, then the Co. shooting, I posted a comment which was promptly pulled. I posted another comment and that story was pulled. Now we have the Amish shooting and we'll see how long this post lasts. As far as "glamorized", I don't know what would you call gang rape and mass muder and suicide put forth in a rock video format?

[rsoxfan1123]

eliemouse, but we need a justice system. God acts through us in that sense. lestb35, the things you are complainnig about are probably exactly why the Amish remove themselves. I have not seen any evidence proving that tv CAUSES this stuff to happen. it takes a sick mind to begin with to do what this man did. there is plenty of literature and whatnot (note the marqi de sade) to draw inspiration from if someone is twisted enough. the responsnibility for this lies on the shoulders of the killer alone.

[cbgb31]

Yes, absolutely right but we're creating a society of "sickies" . It's polluted and demented and it absoluely has an affect on the developing human brain.

[lestb35]

Yup, I second that. There is no constraint in television, none whatsoever. The more shock value the better even on network TV.

[lestb35]

rsoxfn1123, There's been plenty of studies. You yourself mentioned the copycat phenomenon.

[titocordero]

I don't totally disagree that todays televsion with all it's mayhemm and violence had some influence on not only developing minds but also on people with a predisposition to commit such horrible acts. But the predisposition had to be there. No sane person will run out tie up and murder 5 children just 'cause they saw it on tv no matter how many times they see it done. On the other hane I do not believe this person was insane either because of the calculated fashion in which these murders were committed. I feel that this was just pure evil plain and simple. The kind of evil fortold in the bible that will be upon us in the end times. Believers say the the end of times is right around the corner... well I believe that we've turned that prophetic corner and will be staring horrible acts and even worse ones until our Saviour comes to end it all and restore His Will........If the Amish people can forgive this truly terrible act committed on their children than they truly desrve a mansion in heaven.

[kp78]

sparkles1976- The picture in which you are questioning the morals of CBS is not of an Amish person. She is a Mennonite, who, like the Amish, believes that daily life/activities should be lived according to, and in the worship of God. But unlike the Amish they do not believe in the isolation or separation from the "mainstream" society. Many Mennonites do not follow the same traditions as the older sects and mesh into modern society with little or no differences.

[navvet-2009]

there is no justification for the insane acts of a child molester . but don't this all come down to the lack of backbone in our legal system? What happened to victims rights? the death penalty was meant to be a deterent to crime,as well as a punishment for the crime. But, then our "Elected Officials" don't get punished like everyone else. in my job if i spent a whole year at work and did not accomplish anything i would get fired . signed confused

[rsoxfan1123]

titocordero, some people are born without a conscience (sociopaths). this is insanity, but yet another psychological definition of evil.

[titocordero]

rsoxfan1123 A sociopath would not have committed suicide. Granted this guy probably did not have a concscience but that alone did not drive him to commit these cruel murders. I believe this goes deeper than just his state of mind.

[missvern05]

The amish are people that don't beilieve in violence and that stay to themselves. I can't believe that someone would go into a school and kill innocent people. If you were fed up with your live....then you need to go out into a corn field and kill yourself. But don't go hurting someone else. Those girls had so much more to live for. May God bless them and their family and may they rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!!!!

[shutupmurtha]

What a huge statement they are making to the world. It is amazing that they are so forgiving this soon after this horrific crime....wow

Is it just me or do you notice a difference between the way the Amish handle huge devastation that was completely unwarranted and the way Muslims handle speeches, cartoons, or anything that they dont like.....

[cathaleen]

The Amish are peaceful and kind. They never hurt anyone, they're hardworking and live good decent lives. It's a shame that this vileness had to enter their lives. My heart goes out to the families of the innocent victims.

[meshoogle]

I feel for the family's that lost a loved one, and I wish their community much succes and growth, for they are good and have only good thoughts for someone else. May you go from strengh to strength, all the best.

[titocordero]

WOW!!!! Shutupmartha you are absolutely right that's a real eye opener. Never saw it that way. The bible states that one of the hardest things to do is

[reddragonjoh]

In a world where religion has turned people to violence, war, and attacks, we can all learn from
a religion which responds first with foregiveness.

[cntrygrllst]

Forgiveness is the one rule most people seem to forget in todays world

[onepingonly0]

I'm sure we'll have everything from gun control advocates to homeland security involved in this terrible tragedy before it's all over. I'm also sure that none of these groups will come close to the root cause of this act which can only be described as demonic; that is, above the evil a human being alone is capable of inflicting on others.

Will we ever know and be able to recognize and stop such horror?

My heart goes out to the families - Peace of God to all...

[pdsmiley]

There is a sanity as well as a sanctity in the response of the Amish to this nightmare. The modern world seems determined to descend further and further into madness and brutality, and to insanely glorify mindless violence. The Amish were wise enough to find an answer long ago, and to hold on to it with all their hearts. Bless them. Bless them.

[smartdog3]

For Katie and gang:
Unfortunately news performers are not born again fundamental Christians. Therefore they cannot help with such a greivous event. They can interview various so-called experts but it is hit and miss. The issue here is the way of the Amish vs. traditional Christians, i.e. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Evangelicals etc.. specifically in re: Forgiveness and the madness of Roberts. Biblically speaking, Forgiveness is something which is offered to the repentant, i.e. Bill Clinton after the Monica Lewinsky incident. We Christians must forgive him not 7 times but 77 times as long as he holds himself out to be a Christian. The Madness of Roberts is psychobabble for a description of insanity. This is psychiatry trying to label demonic possession. Not even the DSM uses the term insanity as it is a legal term for lawyers. It's like adultery vs. affair or having *** vs. fornication. The Amish are my brothers and I cried over their loss. Yet they do not evangelize outside their group and will shun any member who does.

[vipaka]

The Amish give all of their riches to heaven, and leave it there in Heaven Heart Bank to grow. They make their deposits from the truth inside of their hearts. I think they have instilled in us all the faith to complete this life's mission.

[amym440]

To be able to offer forgiveness to the family of the perpertraitor of such a horrendous tragedy on the same day shows a faith not often seen enough.May the Amish be blessed and looked to as a role model.My condolences to the familys and their community hopefully our two worlds will never collide with such tragic circumstances again.

[pakaal]

There are a lot of people who see forgiveness as a sign of weakness, sad but true. Whether or not a person believes in the Christian faith, it's important to note that Jesus preached forgiveness as a rule for all humans to live by, a rule that unfortunately few people seem willing to follow these days. Humility and forgiveness are a tribute to the richness of a soul. The Amish are a truly American National Treasure; we are very fortunate to have ourselves reminded on occasion that the inheritors of the earth walk among us.

[wendyhoo-2009]

Shutupmartha!!!!! I so agree with you... I didn't even pick up on that. I was just in awe of how forgiven they can be to him... I can understand the family of whom was as clueless as the people he hurt that morning which also included his own family. But for them to forgive that day and prayer and offer blessings is amazing. Compared to Muslims who must create a march or political debate that causes even more of an uproar. But not only to Muslims even within my own family and friends had something this violent happen I am sure it would have been a serious lashing out instead of forgiving and kind words!!!

[hermit22]

Hasn't crazy California learned anything? Now they are letting KARR with all his evil KNOWN
fantasys loose on society again.

If the lawyers and the judicial system were all held FINANCIALLY accountable for every psychologial pit bull they let loose on society what a different country we would be living in.

The JUDGES name should be printed in the news when ever he lets one of these guys loose!HOW can we VOTE for a judge when the news media covers for these judges and doesn't make it known WHO let them loose and why and when?

Apparently Roberts covered his psychological problems extremely well, but there is NO EXCUSE for California not "getting help" for KARR.