About The Amish School Shootings

For the last few days, all Americans have been shaken and horrified by the wanton murder of at least five young school girls in a one-room Amish schoolhouse. It has displayed for all to see, the horrid evil that some humans perpetrate against other humans. But it has also displayed some of humanity's finest traits.

First, we have the selfless courage of a 13 year-old girl, who asked the gunman to shoot her and let the younger girls go. Her courage and her love of her schoolmates are overwhelming, and set a standard I doubt that many adults could live up to.

Then we have the reaction of the Amish community. Instead of abandoning their religion in a time of need and grief, they embraced it, calling for forgiveness for the shooter. They have even reached out to the family of the shooter.

It is easy to preach religion in good times, but it can be very difficult to follow a religion that teaches peace and forgiveness in trying times such as these. The Amish have shown us that they live their beliefs even in the darkest hours.

I am not a christian, but I must admire the recent actions of the Amish community. Their quiet grace and dignity have shown us the best part of our humanity. I wish the rest of us, regardless of our religion or lack of religion, could also live up to this high standard.