John Podhoretz over at NRO's the Corner Brings up an interesting point:
Rod Dreher has written a profoundly moving post about a grandfather of one of the murdered girls at the Amish schoolhouse "instructing the young not to hate" the monster who shot up that school and tied up those girls with wire. Rod writes: "Could you do that? Could you stand over the body of a dead child and tell the young not to hate her killer? I could not. Please God, make me into the sort of man who could."
I am a modestly observant Jew, not a Christian, but I can certainly see the beauty and the moral seriousness that would follow from attempting to hew as closely as possible to Christ's example of unconditional love and forgiveness. All the same, this story disturbs me deeply — because there can be no question that anger can be as righteous as forgiveness. I'm not sure I would want to be someone who succeeded in rising above hatred of those who murder children. Does this mean that those who harbor hatred of child killers have somehow achieved a higher level of Godliness than those who succeed in banishing such hatred from their hearts? That seems to be a necessary corollary of the idea that it is heroic to "instruct the young not to hate," and that seems very wrong to me.
I think that Podhoretz confuses "hatred" and "anger" a bit - even Jesus got angry from time to time...but as for hatred, that is never a wise thing to indulge in. It is something that as soon as you detect it in your heart, you should start working to remove it. Hatred does nothing to harm the object of the hatred, and it deforms the person who hates.
When I first heard this horrible story, I couldn't even watch the whole news report - and for the better part of a day, I was profoundly saddened by it...the business of life, as usual, overwhelmed, but all through the day I kept on coming back to the story, and feeling sorrow and anger. But as the anger took hold of me, I found myself thinking bitter, hateful thoughts...and then I realised that the genuine instigator of that horrific deed was getting to me. Turning what should be a motivator towards making a better world in to a motivator to just lash out. The reason we should avoid hating is because it is an evil thing, and you can't shake hands with evil and come away unscathed.
Don't hate - not ever, if you can avoid it and no matter how hateful the person or act is. It is hard, but it can be done - and must be done if one is to keep a proper perspective on the world and be able to fgure out a solution, rather than just indulging in spasms of vengeful violence. The man who did that evil deed in Pennsylvania is gone from this world - we, here on earth, cannot tell his ultimate fate, though we can figure out where he most likely is. No matter what, he has now faced perfect Justice and has gotten precisely what he deserves. Hating him won't punish him any further, won't repair the ache in the heart of the children's parents, won't make you a better person. Forgive the savage, pray for the parents, thank God that the children are now beyond all fear and danger, eternally happy, and waiting for us to join them.
Posted by Mark Noonan at October 5, 2006 06:20 PM
Comments
Mark,
You must have been reading my mind, because that's what I was going to say!
Mark, That's about the most sincere, Caring and on the money post that you have ever written!
It brought tears to my eyes!
Mark, I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart, God bless you! and Thank you for such a Good post! and I want to thank God for you, We need more people like you, You're what makes this world a better place to live! Seriously!
I want to thank God for Good hearted people like George W. bush too! There is'nt a finer people that we could have as our Nations leaders as George and Laura!
And I want to thank God most of all for sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for mine and your's sins on Calvary, and that he taught to have a little kindness for one another!
Remember everybody, Try to go to church this sunday!
May God bless each and everyone!
Jeremiah
Posted by: Jeremiah at October 5, 2006 06:44 PM
Well said, Mark. I think it's important to remember the part hatred played in this tragedy. This man hated himself and his deeds so much that he killed those girls out of that hatred, out of that fear surrounding who he was and what he'd done. It appears that he did it out of hatred for something else (revenge), but I believe from what I've read that it only appears that way. What put the gun in his hand wasn't the gun manufacturer, the NRA, or anything else Rosie would have us believe. What put the gun in his hand was darkness that consumed him out of his self loathing, out of his inability to forgive himself, to heal himself and those around him, to reconcile himself to something good in his world through acts of desperate redemption rather than desperate rage. I hesitate to imagine the kind of pain someone like him would have to experience to drive him to such desperation, and it strikes me how that pain was likely a child of his self loathing.
Posted by: Morris at October 5, 2006 06:55 PM
Mark, that was extremely well said.
Posted by: Freedom1 at October 5, 2006 07:04 PM
Mark, this post is an example of why you and Matt have a book deal. Keep up the wonderful writing.
Posted by: kjstrouble at October 5, 2006 07:21 PM
...And you know Mark, One more thing, I believe this post you just wrote is the kind of position is the stance that should be the most opportune kind of way for the left to set aside their political differences and join you! But they won't because they know If they are to do anything to the contrary of their way the alleged only way, would be in association with God, and they want to get the furthest distance from God that they can possibly get!
Nevertheless...They can't deny truth, and if there is ever the truth, you have just written it!
Thank you!
Jeremiah
Posted by: Jeremiah at October 5, 2006 08:22 PM
Absolutely beautiful, Mark. I will try to keep your words in my heart as I think about these horrific events. God bless you.
Posted by: Mel Evenson at October 5, 2006 08:47 PM
Wonderful piece, Mark...
GOD always manages to instill hope in the midst of tragedy, and you have highlighted it for us.
Thanks...
Posted by:
Psycmeistr at October 5, 2006 08:50 PM
Mark,
I agree with you completely. This post brings to mind the bit of back-and-forth that you had with USA in the "Chris Wallace Responds" thread, on the subject of pride. Your comments were faithful to the bible, and articulated very well.
I particularly loved this bit:
"If I do well, then I have only done my duty and deserve no praise for it - that you may give me praise is a wonderful and generous deed on your part, but I should never consider myself cheated if my good work goes unpraised."
Posted by: other_nate at October 5, 2006 11:34 PM
Thanks, everyone - like the story we had a few weeks ago of Moslem and Christian women praying together in Baghdad for peace, this sublime forgiveness shows that no matter how horrible things can seem, there are still those who have turned firmly towards God, and are thus in right relation to the world.
I'm still new to this - or re-new, if you prefer. But I'm never going to trade the love and joy of today for all the empty promises of this transient world. I can't say that I understand more than the fact that I know where I want to be - but this act of loving forgiveness is yet another thing pointing the way.
Posted by: Mark Noonan at October 6, 2006 03:10 AM
I will jump on the bandwagon and say "well said", Mark. I do like that you distingushed between "hate" and "anger". At times the distinction can be fine, but it is one we need to make. Jesus did drive the money changers out of the temple in rightous anger, but He gave his life for them as well. To often, we confuse "don't hate" with "don't do anything". We should hate evil, but we should never hate people.
Posted by: DebateRight at October 6, 2006 11:31 AM
"We should hate evil, but we should never hate people." Posted by: DebateRight
Exactly!
Posted by: Freedom1 at October 6, 2006 03:13 PM
As a nation, we can learn much much from the way the Amish community is handling the recent evil act of random violence. They forgive the man who took their children from them. They won't let their faith become tainted with bitter feelings and evil vengeance. They have true faith. They know in their hearts that those children are in a better place.
I might not agree with their religion, but I respect their faith and their ability to follow the teachings of their faith, even when their own flesh and blood is torn from them.
Look at how we have responded as a nation to the evil act of random violence that has torn us apart, eating away out our principles, turning "Christians" into blood-thirsty murderers.
Would we see the same outpouring of grief if Islamic children had died in random acts of violence in Iraq or Lebanon? It has happened and is still happening.
I cannot understand how this "monster" could commit these acts of hatred and evil against innocent victims. It is even hard for me, an uninvolved bystander, to forgive it.
The "monster" I speak of is not only the one that murdered the Amish girls, it is also the the "monster" that has taken so much life in our "War on Terror". The "monster" is the inability to forgive.
Posted by: mem beth at October 8, 2006 06:30 AM
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Mark,
You must have been reading my mind, because that's what I was going to say!
Mark, That's about the most sincere, Caring and on the money post that you have ever written!
It brought tears to my eyes!
Mark, I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart, God bless you! and Thank you for such a Good post! and I want to thank God for you, We need more people like you, You're what makes this world a better place to live! Seriously!
I want to thank God for Good hearted people like George W. bush too! There is'nt a finer people that we could have as our Nations leaders as George and Laura!
And I want to thank God most of all for sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for mine and your's sins on Calvary, and that he taught to have a little kindness for one another!
Remember everybody, Try to go to church this sunday!
May God bless each and everyone!
Jeremiah
Well said, Mark. I think it's important to remember the part hatred played in this tragedy. This man hated himself and his deeds so much that he killed those girls out of that hatred, out of that fear surrounding who he was and what he'd done. It appears that he did it out of hatred for something else (revenge), but I believe from what I've read that it only appears that way. What put the gun in his hand wasn't the gun manufacturer, the NRA, or anything else Rosie would have us believe. What put the gun in his hand was darkness that consumed him out of his self loathing, out of his inability to forgive himself, to heal himself and those around him, to reconcile himself to something good in his world through acts of desperate redemption rather than desperate rage. I hesitate to imagine the kind of pain someone like him would have to experience to drive him to such desperation, and it strikes me how that pain was likely a child of his self loathing.
Mark, that was extremely well said.
Mark, this post is an example of why you and Matt have a book deal. Keep up the wonderful writing.
...And you know Mark, One more thing, I believe this post you just wrote is the kind of position is the stance that should be the most opportune kind of way for the left to set aside their political differences and join you! But they won't because they know If they are to do anything to the contrary of their way the alleged only way, would be in association with God, and they want to get the furthest distance from God that they can possibly get!
Nevertheless...They can't deny truth, and if there is ever the truth, you have just written it!
Thank you!
Jeremiah
Absolutely beautiful, Mark. I will try to keep your words in my heart as I think about these horrific events. God bless you.
Wonderful piece, Mark...
GOD always manages to instill hope in the midst of tragedy, and you have highlighted it for us.
Thanks...
Mark,
I agree with you completely. This post brings to mind the bit of back-and-forth that you had with USA in the "Chris Wallace Responds" thread, on the subject of pride. Your comments were faithful to the bible, and articulated very well.
I particularly loved this bit:
"If I do well, then I have only done my duty and deserve no praise for it - that you may give me praise is a wonderful and generous deed on your part, but I should never consider myself cheated if my good work goes unpraised."
Thanks, everyone - like the story we had a few weeks ago of Moslem and Christian women praying together in Baghdad for peace, this sublime forgiveness shows that no matter how horrible things can seem, there are still those who have turned firmly towards God, and are thus in right relation to the world.
I'm still new to this - or re-new, if you prefer. But I'm never going to trade the love and joy of today for all the empty promises of this transient world. I can't say that I understand more than the fact that I know where I want to be - but this act of loving forgiveness is yet another thing pointing the way.
I will jump on the bandwagon and say "well said", Mark. I do like that you distingushed between "hate" and "anger". At times the distinction can be fine, but it is one we need to make. Jesus did drive the money changers out of the temple in rightous anger, but He gave his life for them as well. To often, we confuse "don't hate" with "don't do anything". We should hate evil, but we should never hate people.
"We should hate evil, but we should never hate people." Posted by: DebateRight
Exactly!
As a nation, we can learn much much from the way the Amish community is handling the recent evil act of random violence. They forgive the man who took their children from them. They won't let their faith become tainted with bitter feelings and evil vengeance. They have true faith. They know in their hearts that those children are in a better place.
I might not agree with their religion, but I respect their faith and their ability to follow the teachings of their faith, even when their own flesh and blood is torn from them.
Look at how we have responded as a nation to the evil act of random violence that has torn us apart, eating away out our principles, turning "Christians" into blood-thirsty murderers.
Would we see the same outpouring of grief if Islamic children had died in random acts of violence in Iraq or Lebanon? It has happened and is still happening.
I cannot understand how this "monster" could commit these acts of hatred and evil against innocent victims. It is even hard for me, an uninvolved bystander, to forgive it.
The "monster" I speak of is not only the one that murdered the Amish girls, it is also the the "monster" that has taken so much life in our "War on Terror". The "monster" is the inability to forgive.