Pro-life remembrance of the day: Newtown victims
by LauraLoo
President Obama spoke last night at an emotional prayer vigil in Newtown, Connecticut.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWEL1cd_1zU[/youtube]
Also, as reported by People, here are the names and faces of the 27 casualties. Photos and bios of the children and adults killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14. Sadly, today marks the funerals for two of the murdered children, Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto.
Email dailyvid@jillstanek.com with your video suggestions.
[HT: People and 89 WLS Chicago]
Dec.17, 2012 12:00 pm |
Video of the day |
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
My “baby” is almost six. Nearly the same age as most of these precious little ones. I don’t think I’ve stopped crying since I heard about this. My heart is absolutely shattered for these poor families.
(Yes- my heart breaks over all the babies lost to abortion, too. I don’t forget about them just because of something like this). :'(
The champion of 4.84 million abortions has no right to be anywhere near the victims or their families. Let’s not gift the king of hypocrites with favorable coverage of any kind please; especially in connection with the shooting.
I just can’t look at those pictures of the kids.
Here are a few ways to help support the families, if anyone is so inclined. http://www.dailycamera.com/breaking-news/ci_22199597/connecticut-school-shooting-how-help-victims-families
I understand what you mean, Jack; it is extremely hard to deal with. Friday was surreal. We thought the school and daycare may have said something to students, to explain the lockdowns, but they apparently hadn’t, which was a relief. We didn’t talk to the kids about it because we wanted to wait until we knew if any of their friends were among the dead, since that would affect the conversation a lot. So we ordered pizza and played word games and felt very numb. We lived in that little cocoon for most of the weekend. It felt hollow. But it was better than seeing all those sweet little faces on the front page of the newspaper this morning.
Andrew, seek mental help. You need it.
Andrew makes a good point. One of the toddlers posing for pix with Barack couldn’t be more than 3. Which means just a few short years ago, Obama would have fought for her “right” to be neglected after birth until she expired. All of our children mean all of our children. Obama thinks because a label like “unwanted” is thrown at a child, he or she deserves to die, even after being born.
Obama is USING this tragedy. Not all of us are fooled. When adult Americans die overseas, he goes golfing or to Las Vegas or appears on a chat show, and in the case of Libya, he instructs his people to lie for him and say it’s all about an obscure youtube video that nobody has seen. (grounds for impeachment). These families are truly grieving, and he descends on them like Count Dracula for photo ops and public relations. Sickening. I have a heart, you know, but I also have a brain. My brain didn’t shut down because my heart is hurting.
my heart breaks for the victims and their families and friends – but I agree with Andrew and ninek – BO makes me furious with his crocodile tears – when he really wants to talk about protecting ALL of our children, great – until then, he can take his political theater and shove it – he is a user of people, period
in my opinion, this is yet another symptom of the moral relativism of our time – there are no objective truths – everyone can decide for themselves what is right and wrong – telling someone that anything they choose to do is wrong gets you labelled as a hater – societal norms and standards are being erased in favor of a completely permissive culture enforced by the police state – and BO and his ilk are part of that problem
Your god is supposedly omnipotent.
Your god is supposedly the reason for all things.
So why did your god allow this to happen?
“BO makes me furious with his crocodile tears” – I’m quite sure his tears were real. People grieve for the death of others, it’s only an extremist minority who include fetuses.
“when he really wants to talk about protecting ALL of our children” – he is, most people don’t consider fetuses to be real children in the context of life and society.
“So why did your god allow this to happen?”
God does not will that men do evil, but He gave us a free will. Don’t you support choice?
I agree with Andrew. As much as possible, Obama needs to be cut out of the national conversation. With the things he’s said about this shooting, coupled with the way he bends over backwards for Big Abortion, he has, unbelievably, become more disgustingly hypocritical. His words should be given no weight in the public arena. His comments should be marginalized, his presence should be made unremarkable. Given his office, he won’t be entirely ignorable. But as far as is possible, he needs to be ignored. This is not a man who deserves or ought to be considered relevant any longer.
“God does not will that men do evil, but He gave us a free will” – then what is the point of him if he allows such things as this to happen?
“Don’t you support choice?” – I sure do. It would seem that your omnipotent, all seeing all causing god made his choice too does it not?
The families of the victims looked pretty happy to have the President visiting with them during their time of tragedy. But I guess what they want is much less important than what cynical internet commenters who are still bitter over their political losses want.
I don’t believe in a wish granting fairy as my diety.
Reality, I recommend you read the Book of Job. Job points out to his friends that often evil men live to be ripe old ages while good men sometimes die young. In Old Testament times, people believed that prosperity and old age were rewards from God and if you got sick or lost all your wealth, God must be punishing you. It might seem shocking to you that thousands of years ago people asked the same questions: why do bad things sometimes happen to good people?
If a fairy tale god doesn’t grant your wishes, how does THAT prove that there isn’t a God and the universe is nothing more than an elaborate accident? Not logical, my friends. Your wishes and whims are tiny compared to the wide and vast universe in which we live. If my mother didn’t grant all my wishes and whims, am I to conclude that my mother must not be real?? ”Yer not usin’ yer brain!!”
Joan, so nice for you to take time out of your busy day to come and check in on us. You’re so sweet to care what we think! The cockles of my heart are now toasty warm. ;>) Say hi to cc for us; we miss her!
Reality, here’s my answer:
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”
-Matthew 10 : 28
God does not will that his children kill each other. But He is Just and the innocent will be satisfied in the next life.
I was reading on another site how threatened the abortionists are by the Personhood movement. That’s worth a thought, pro-lifers: Abortionists feel frightened that the idea that pre-born children are actually human persons is increasing! They are upset about this. Why? If you’re so very certain that nothing is a person until some nebulous-none-of-you-can-agree-on-when moment in time…oh that’s right, you don’t know when a person becomes a person. Well, pro-lifers know: at conception. When you abortion advocates all agree on precisely when a person is a person, you get back to us, ‘kay?
“I don’t believe in a wish granting fairy as my diety.” – that makes two of us. Hence my not asking for wishes to be granted, from anyone/thing.
“Job points out to his friends that often evil men live to be ripe old ages while good men sometimes die young” – he wouldn’t be the first.
“If a fairy tale god doesn’t grant your wishes, how does THAT prove that there isn’t a God” – don’t tell me, tell those who fervently pray at the bedside of the dying until they um, die.
“and the universe is nothing more than an elaborate accident?” – nah, more a spectacular event.
“Your wishes and whims are tiny compared to the wide and vast universe in which we live” – as is deism.
Hi Reality –
Forgive me if I’m remembering incorrectly, but I believe that you lost a child once? A daughter? You were in my thoughts this weekend. The grief is unimaginable and they weren’t even my kids. I think of you often and always wish you well. I just wanted to offer my condolences again. I don’t really know what to do with a world like this. I don’t even know how to explain it to the kids.
“I was reading on another site how threatened the abortionists are by the Personhood movement.” – I’m guessing that’s an anti-choice site. Gee, what a surprise they’d say such a thing!
“That’s worth a thought, pro-lifers: Abortionists feel frightened that the idea that pre-born children are actually human persons is increasing!” – how’d that vote go again?
“They are upset about this.” – you wish. Maybe because trying to educate the delusional is tedious sometimes.
“oh that’s right, you don’t know when a person becomes a person. Well, pro-lifers know: at conception” – fantasy. During gestation there are innumerable factors, environmental and both genetic and epigenetic which can impact on the physical, mental and psychological faculties and status. Therefore there is not a definable ‘person’ until some time after birth.
John, self-supporting biblical references don’t cut it. Its the same old convenience principle.
There are innumerable people giving prayers of thanks to your god for sparing those who were not killed.
Why aren’t they asking god why he allowed those who were killed to be killed?
It makes no sense that an omnipotent, all seeing, all powerful, ‘he has a reason for everything’ deity is thanked for the good things that happen yet is not held accountable for the bad.
A Planned Parenthood chain-abortuary is @ ten minuets from the site of the shooting.
I think the shooter went to that school.
It’s too much for us to accept that our innocent children must accept an abortuary in their midst. I think it’s too hard on them. Children don’t see abortion as a medical procedure, they see abortion victims for what they are: murder victims.
When kids come of of age the truth about feticide hits the most empathetic ones hardest.
He’s not held accountable, because he’s not RESPONSIBLE for the bad.
People choose to be good and moral, or they choose to be evil. He GIVES them that choice.
You can go on back to work for Satan now, Reality.
You’ve obviously made your choice.
Reality, Our Lord prayed to His Father that he would not have to suffer the Crucifixion. His prayer was, If it is possible, take this cup away from me, but Your will be done. Suffering is a reality of our existence because of sin. But God is Just and will not abandon the innocent.
God is thanked for goodness because He wills goodness, and he leads his children in the way of righteousness. God does not will evil, and evil results when men turn their backs on God.
“People choose to be good and moral” – then why give thanks to god?
“You can go on back to work for Satan now” – no such thing. No god, no satan.
“Suffering is a reality of our existence because of sin.” – so the victims deserved to die because they were sinners?
“But God is Just and will not abandon the innocent.” – doesn’t look like he handed out bullet proof vests now does it.
“He wills goodness…….God does not will evil” – that’s odd. So this omnipotent, all-powerful, all-knowing, creator of mankind and all the universe – only makes good things happen and lets someone else deliver the bad. What a concept of utter lunacy.
“and evil results when men turn their backs on Go” – the prisons aren’t replete with too many atheists.
“so the victims deserved to die because they were sinners?”
Was Jesus a sinner? Suffering exists because of sin. Suffering affects us all. Including those who are completely innocent.
”doesn’t look like he handed out bullet proof vests now does it.”
Those who are denied justice in this world are granted it in the next.
”So this omnipotent, all-powerful, all-knowing, creator of mankind and all the universe – only makes good things happen and lets someone else deliver the bad. What a concept of utter lunacy”
Men who act with goodness are acting according to the will of God. Men who commit evil are turning their backs on God. it’s not “someone else” who does evil. It is the same human person choosing disobedience and sin.
”the prisons aren’t replete with too many atheists.”
You don’t have to disbelieve in God to reject him. Many “atheists” actually show a strong hatred for the being they claim does not exist.
The point is that God loves us so much that he would not make us robots – He made man with free will – to choose Him or not, to choose love or not.
When you have the experience of a loving God – a real experience that changes you from the inside-out, you will desire to understand and have His peace. He heals, and can heal deeply — even the most awful wounds and disappointments. It is what people chose to not deny, and even die instead (martyrdom) of denying what they know.
Our Lord is a beautiful Lord – and he desires that ALL peoples choose love and life and goodness. And He waits for everyone.
If the leader of a nation operated in the way that you claim your god does, the whole world would come out against them. They do all the good things and stand idly by while bad deeds are perpetrated. Sure.
“Many “atheists” actually show a strong hatred for the being they claim does not exist.” – thats rubbish. The only thing atheists hold anything near ‘hatred’ for is the things which are done by believers in the name of their belief. Your claim is the typical feeble defense mounted by theists.
Reality, you’re in my thoughts and prayers, too, and your deceased child/ children. Sincerely.
No wonder you wonder how bad things can happen to innocent children. That’s something you have in common with all prolifers.
Reality – I am sorry if some person of belief did anything to you or your family that caused any hurt. Christians and others of other beliefs are supposed to treat others with care and concern. Christians are supposed to defend the weak. People are supposed to help one another. If people hurt others and claimed to be Christians, they would be practicing their religion poorly. Thankfully, there are ways for people to improve and make reparations. Please accept my apology.
“They do all the good things and stand idly by while bad deeds are perpetrated. Sure.”
You seem insistent on this point no matter how many times I say otherwise. God wills that we do good and avoid evil. He awaits us with open arms when we repent. Jesus taught us the ultimate prayer, and in that prayer, we pray that God’s will be done. We also pray for what we need to get through this day, and ask God to forgive us inasmuch as we forgive others. Finally we ask God to help us avoid being put to the test. God’s grace pours out into our hearts if we allow it to do so. And for those who suffer and die because of the sins of others, they will be consoled in Heaven.
No apology required joyfromillinois, there’s nothing of note that anyone of belief has done to me personally, either when I was a believer myself, or since.
What I am less than happy with is how people of faith constantly deride and admonish those who don’t live their lives in a manner which those of faith approve of.
Homophobia, misogyny, decrying children born out of wedlock, criticising non-marital sex etc. etc.
I sometimes find christian ‘concern’ to be rather concerning.
“God wills that we do good and avoid evil.”…..”He awaits us with open arms when we repent.” – so its basically ‘please be good not bad but if you’re bad that’s ok too as long as you say you repent’ – sounds like some psycho’s recipe for social disfunction. Not from Apocalypse Now or something is it?
“we pray that God’s will be done.” – either he’s not answering your prayers or his will is that the innocent suffer, which is it?
“What I am less than happy with is how people of faith constantly deride and admonish those who don’t live their lives in a manner which those of faith approve of.”
The problem is that the faithful do not admonish enough or well enough, honestly. People correlate disapproval with a lack of love. Christians often do this as well. Loving the sinner and hating the sin has only been done perfectly once – but it still got Jesus killed by people who did not like His constant admonishing.
As for why God “allows” suffering … Pain and death are a natural consequence of sin. It is also a solution to sin – calls us to God in our lifetime and allows us to start anew in our death. It makes complete logical sense to me, aside from my faith.
“The problem is that the faithful do not admonish enough or well enough, honestly” – it is not your place to do so.
“Pain and death are a natural consequence of sin” – so the young children were sinners?
“It makes complete logical sense to me, aside from my faith” – ???
“The problem is that the faithful do not admonish enough or well enough, honestly” – it is not your place to do so.
I know that is your thinking, Reality, but admonishing behavior that results in unhappiness is done out of love for others. If you don’t believe this, there’s not much I can say to convince you.
“Pain and death are a natural consequence of sin” – so the young children were sinners?
We’re all sinners, Reality. My daughter is almost 6, and an “angel” if ever there were human angels, but she is a sinner for sure. Like me. But that’s not even the point. Sin is in the world. Therefore, we all experience pain and we all die. We who remain here to mourn their loss suffer far more than those children who are in heaven. Heaven is not a consolation prize – it is the very reason we were created. I don’t claim to understand heaven itself, but when we say, “God, why didn’t you protect us?” we are a lot like the disciples who said at the end of Jesus’ time on earth “Is it now that you are going to deliver the nation?” We just don’t get it. Our ways are not His ways.
“admonishing behavior that results in unhappiness is done out of love for others” – yet you also do so for behavior which doesn’t cause unhappiness, because you don’t like it, or for behavior which causes no more unhappiness for people than their choosing your way would cause them.
“Sin is in the world. Therefore, we all experience pain and we all die” – then surely it should be the likes of you and I who should die before these children. Otherwise it is unjust and cruel. I’ve been on the verge of death three times now (there’s nothing there by the way), yet I am still here to provide counterpoint to your faith and your desire to restrict womens choice.
I am glad you are still here, Reality. God loves you. You have time to accept His grace.
What seems cruel is indeed cruel – it is the result of evil actions of a human with free will. But God can use this pain for the eternal good of those who are suffering, questioning, changing … For one thing, I am praying that all the people who have turned to God to pray for the families begin to pray more and develop their personal relationship with God, knowing something is very wrong with the world and that we need Him.
If the leader of a nation operated in the way that you claim your god does, the whole world would come out against them. They do all the good things and stand idly by while bad deeds are perpetrated. Sure.
Just because “evil” is an unfortunate by-product of the original intent, it doesn’t necessarily follow that one is not responsible for that by-product. We’re taught to take responsibility for our actions, even when a harm done was unintentional and unforeseen. And we understand that god is omniscient and omnipotent, so lack of awareness isn’t the issue. Humanity is ignorant and fundamentally flawed, but we alone are responsible for that.
Now, as someone who was raised by parents who made me a scapegoat for so many things, I realize I’m bringing my own prejudices and baggage to the party. I did eventually get pretty tired of being told that everything was my fault, including a lifelong skepticism of all things religious. That wasn’t something I feel like I chose; it has been there as long as I remember.
I’m well aware of the Christian viewpoint and the concept of sin and redemption as game changers, so I’m not asking for a biblical explanation. I’m just musing out loud something that has bothered me since I was a child in Sunday school.
“Just because “evil” is an unfortunate by-product of the original intent, it doesn’t necessarily follow that one is not responsible for that by-product. We’re taught to take responsibility for our actions, even when a harm done was unintentional and unforeseen. And we understand that god is omniscient and omnipotent, so lack of awareness isn’t the issue. Humanity is ignorant and fundamentally flawed, but we alone are responsible for that.”
It truly is a good question, and I have heard a pretty good answer, though only sketchily represented here: We would not be individuals if we did not have free will, and free will necessarily entails choices between God’s way and not God’s way. If we had free will to choose evil but God intervened to reverse our evil choice, this would not be free will at all. Can God be “responsible” for what is a logical consequence of having made people with free will? Would it be better if he had not made us at all? Though ultimately God did take “responsibility” for our actions by sending the “game changer.”
“Can God be “responsible” for what is a logical consequence of having made people with free will? Would it be better if he had not made us at all? Though ultimately God did take “responsibility” for our actions by sending the “game changer.””
We don’t have free will anyway, if you are right about an all-powerful, all-knowing creator God. If God knew a billion years ago what my every action and thought would be when he created me, and created me anyway, yes he’s directly responsible for what I do. And how can I make a different decision, wouldn’t that make God wrong if I deviated from whatever decisions he foresaw? It’s not free will if your actions are already forseen and unchangeable. And wouldn’t that make him responsible for all evil, since he knows exactly what’s going to happen when he created evil people? It’s not like he is creating people not knowing what they’ll get up to, he’s creating people who knows are going to torture innocents.
until some time after birth…
What do your scientists say, specifically? What time?
Can God be “responsible” for what is a logical consequence of having made people with free will? Would it be better if he had not made us at all?
I would hope he would be, in a way that didn’t put the full burden on undependable humanity with a lousy track record for being able to follow the simplest of his instructions. How can something like salvation be left up to such wrong-headed creatures?
Though ultimately God did take “responsibility” for our actions by sending the “game changer.
It is responsibility in that an out has been provided for hapless mankind. And yet, the fix is still all about fallen man, rather than about mankind not doing anything god finds surprising, given that it seems the free will itself is actually a pretty significant design flaw. Would I rather live without free will? If I had never had it then I wouldn’t know the difference. But god does seem to need for me to have it. Unfortunately, I don’t even feel that I’m effectively communicating what I find so frustrating about it anyway.
We claim He doesn’t exist and then blame Him for all the chaos.
Hmmmmm.
Look clearly Obama is wrong on abortion but he is still our president and it is his place to comfort the nation. I believe his sorrow it genuine. Just because someone is pro choice does not mean they have no right to feel sorrow for murdered kindegartners and adults. Pray for our president. There is a heart in there and it may have grown 3 size last Friday.
We claim He doesn’t exist and then blame Him for all the chaos.
Hmmmmm.
I didn’t claim he doesn’t exist. I don’t know whether he does or not.
Hi Jess,
My comment was not specifically directed at you.
Hi Jack,
He KNOWS what we are going to do and gives us a way out of the evil that we perpetrate. There is always a way to turn from sin and evil. Always. God knew ultimately that I would abort but was there another way? Absolutely. I chose and I live with the consequences of that choice and also praise Him that He heals me and has my baby with Him.
So you can blame God all you want for whatever you think He did or did not do for you or that He somehow MADE you do something because He is all knowing but it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
If you do not believe there is a God or believe in a word that He says or think that He has anything to do with you or your life or that He sent His one and only Son to die for the sins of all of us……..what is the point of arguing about Him??
I have to say that dear friends of mine lost their 4 year old boy last week. He was run over by dad as he plowed the driveway. They had lost their still born daughter before that. And at their son’s service? Their arms were raised in praise to God. They are grateful God has their two little ones with Him. They are grateful for all the prayers and that God lost His Son too and knows and understands their pain.
It is called faith.
And Jack?
God loves you.
jess – If we didn’t have free will, we wouldn’t really be people at all. We might be robots, or parts of a person whose brain moves us, like an arm or leg, or something.
Jack – Just because God KNOWS what we will do does not mean He chooses it for us. He is all-knowing and transcends time, and He sees what our choices are. We do have free will, and when we use it to do good, He delights in us.
Ultimately, however, of course I don’t understand everything about God’s being. How could we fully? My kids don’t understand me, and I am not even so awesomely wise, loving, powerful, and eternal.
“He KNOWS what we are going to do and gives us a way out of the evil that we perpetrate. There is always a way to turn from sin and evil. Always. God knew ultimately that I would abort but was there another way? Absolutely. I chose and I live with the consequences of that choice and also praise Him that He heals me and has my baby with Him.
So you can blame God all you want for whatever you think He did or did not do for you or that He somehow MADE you do something because He is all knowing but it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Well, I’m not blaming him in an angry way, I just am trying to understand this concept of how he isn’t responsible for evil’s existence, since he created beings knowing that they would perpetuate evil, when they would perpetuate it, and whether or not they would repent or do any good with their lives. It doesn’t make sense to me, I don’t see how it’s free will. And I don’t get how if my actions are already known, and I can’t choose anything differently that he didn’t already know I would do, how that’s free will at all.
“If you do not believe there is a God or believe in a word that He says or think that He has anything to do with you or your life or that He sent His one and only Son to die for the sins of all of us……..what is the point of arguing about Him??”
Because I learn best by posing arguments and seeing if people can point out where my logic is wrong, and explain things that I don’t think make sense. If I didn’t care about the possibility of God’s existence I wouldn’t ever make any arguments about it, most likely.
“Jack – Just because God KNOWS what we will do does not mean He chooses it for us. He is all-knowing and transcends time, and He sees what our choices are. We do have free will, and when we use it to do good, He delights in us”
But how is it free will if he creates someone, knows exactly what their life path is, and sends them to the applicable afterlife? Where did someone ever have the chance to change their course? God can’t be wrong, so if he already knows that you are never going to accept him but creates you anyway, how is that not predetermined?
Jack – How does someone knowing what you will do make your choice less free? What God KNOWS has no effect on the free-ness of your choices. Again, He simply knows what they are. I don’t understand why you would consider yourself to have true free will if God didn’t exist. Is it because you feel God intervenes to guide your decisions?
Hi Jack,
Thank you for clearing that up about why you pose the questions. They sounded like you obviously have your mind made up about God.
But you are wrestling with who He is and what He is about and I think that is a very good thing. The only one that can reassure you in the way that you want and need is…..wait for it………God Himself. :)
God gives us what we want. If we want to live without Him here he will give that to us for eternity. Eternity without Him. OR we seek Him, follow Him, worship and obey Him and draw near Him. And we spend eternity WITH HIM.
There are things that I accept about Him and trust Him about. There are things I will NOT understand until I see His face. That is what a child like faith means. Our tiny little brains cannot fathom all that He is and all that He does. So we have to trust.
I am heartbroken that those precious little people died in such a heinous way. It is unimaginable to me. The scene. Their last moments. BUT I know this and hold onto this……….He has them. Right now.
“Well, I’m not blaming him in an angry way, I just am trying to understand this concept of how he isn’t responsible for evil’s existence, since he created beings knowing that they would perpetuate evil, when they would perpetuate it, and whether or not they would repent or do any good with their lives. It doesn’t make sense to me, I don’t see how it’s free will. And I don’t get how if my actions are already known, and I can’t choose anything differently that he didn’t already know I would do, how that’s free will at all.”
How does God knowing what you are going to do impede your free will? If you see your children down the block and you know your son is about to hit your daughter, does that mean you are responsible? That your son doesn’t truly have free will? It’s just the same as if you had hit your daughter? If you know your children will some day drink alcohol while they are still underage, does that make you responsible? Do they not have free will? You’ve taught your children not to hit and not to drink. Yet they did anyway. Somehow you are to blame for that and your children didn’t have free will to choose what was right?
Hi Jack – someone once explained it to me as being like watching a video of something that happened. The thinking goes that time for God is not linear like it is for us, kind of like how if you think about it, taking a video of something that already happened, and then watching it in the future, places that event “in the future” to some extent. But just because you know what’s going to happen in the video in the moment you’re seeing it, doesn’t mean that the people in the video aren’t choosing freely in the moment that they make their choices.
I think of a home movie of me as a toddler, where I flipped a chair over and hurt myself. Every time we watched that movie, no matter how old I was, my mom winced and said, “Don’t do that, Ally, don’t climb on the chair!” Even though she knew that I would, that I did, that it hurt me. It was in the past, but also in the present, and it hurt her each time she saw it as though it had just happened right then. Because in some ways, it had.
As for the existence of evil, I don’t think that you can have free will without having evil. Because I guess that to my understanding of how these things go, God created, like, the world and everything good in it etc etc, okay, but there is no free will if people are not free to reject the goodness of him and his creation, at the most basic level. So evil is just a rejection of being with God. Which is why the devil is where it all really began – he was an angel who wanted to be separate from God, wanted to be his own guy, which meant separate from good, thus evil.
To that extent it reminds me of my bedroom as a teenager. My mom went CRAZY when my room was messy and it DROVE ME INSANE. So as I developed my own autonomy I lived in a total pigsty, I mean really it drove ME crazy. It’s not that I wanted to make her angry, really, but I wanted to BE MY OWN PERSON and not just be part of her. I wanted to find a way to be SEPARATE from her – this was not a conscious thought process at the time but it’s something I figured out later – and so I defined myself by being the things that she was not, by exerting my own control over the parts of my life that she tried to control. If my mom was obsessed with me having a clean room, then the only way I could define myself as separate from her was to have a messy room. If God is all good, then the only way an angel (or a person) could define themselves as separate from God would be to be things that are evil.
Of course, as these things go, I was miserable in my messy room. But I would NOT clean it. I would rather have been miserable than “submit,” even just to the reality of a world in which my mom was right. Fortunately I grew up a bit and while my closets are still generally disaster zones, I have realized that “submitting” to the things that make me happier is not a bad way to live, overall. ;)
There was a book some ten years ago or so, called I, Lucifer. It’s fiction and it will probably totally bother people here that I’m talking about it, but the basic premise is that the devil comes to the earth in the form of a man, and the book is written as kind of a journal by him during that time. I don’t mean to spoil the end or anything but I remember actually tearing up when I read it – I was maybe 20 at the time – as the devil journals about just having wanted to be his own person (or…angel) and the other angels try to get him to surrender his “autonomy” (since autonomy from good is evil) and “come home.” And he wants to be happy, just like I wanted to have a clean room; but he doesn’t want to GIVE IN. I’m NOT recommending it to any religious people here because it’s fairly offensive and blasphemous, not to mention at times pedantic, but I think that maybe if you’re not religious in the first place it can actually clear up some things, not really doctrinal or dogmatic things but just emotional aspects, about evil basically being anything that is a rejection of God, and God therefore not being able to stop evil without taking away the free will of mankind.
If our Christian hope doesn’t help us here in a tragedy like this it is useless. The main reason Jesus came was to conquer our sin and its most violent consequence, Death. He came to provide us with an eternal life – a divine justice. Having faith is a substantive act – it is the only existential act left to us in moments like these. He was resurrected, He was the first, but will not be the only person, to be resurrected and to ascend into Heaven.
It is useless.
“and God therefore not being able to stop evil without taking away the free will of mankind”
There’s nothing new under the sun. All powerful, yet “not able” to stop evil. I think I’d want a more capable god who wasn’t constrained by something she/he set in motion in the first place. And, you know, without the need for a bloody, violent sacrifice. If I had made up this story, people would think I was a raving lunatic. Good grief.
Bearman, the worst thing that can happen to us when we die is to be judged.
Will you be ready?
Do you know who the judge will be?
Don’t you think it prudent to get to know the judge?
“the worst thing that can happen to us when we die is to be judged” – pfft, dead is dead and there’s nothing else so the only judgement will be what those who knew us in life may think of us.
“Do you know who the judge will be?” – Bugs Bunny?
“Don’t you think it prudent to get to know the judge?” – did exactly that last weekend. Stewed him up with lotsa vegetables and some nice spices. Delicious.