Think No Evil

How are we suppose to respond to unthinkable, horrific events? Many people in the world would respond with anger or even hatred. They would seek vengeance. However, there are a minority of people who would respond with love, forgiveness and compassion.

On an ordinary October day in 2006, an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania were carrying on as usual until an armed man entered. After ordering all the males and a few women out of the schoolhouse, this man lined all the girls up across the chalkboard. In execution style, ten girls were shot; five perished and the other five were rushed to the hospital in severe or critical condition. The Amish community, who normally keeps to themselves, were thrusted into the national spotlight. Their response to the tragedy shocked people across the country and the world.

They unconditionally forgave the killer and even reached out to his family. 

I believe that everybody can learn from the response of the Amish community to this horrific tragedy. They took the road less traveled by responding out of love and not anger. I hope that everyone will take this to heart; this immediate response of reconciliation, love, and forgiveness is what will change the world. Whenever someone responds outside of the status quo it makes headlines: case in point the Nickel Mines shooting. Every time a this road is taken the ruthless cycle of violence is broken. 

So lets respond with love anytime we are faced with a difficult situation or an unspeakable tragedy.

Peace,

Brooke

For more information about the reaction and response of the Amish community I highly recommend that you check out Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting…and Beyond by Jonas Beiler.

Reflecting on Leymah Gbowee’s Visit to Messiah

Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee visited Messiah College March 18th. She was the perfect fit as a final speaker in a series on Courage and Conviction at Messiah. PACS students were especially excited for this opportunity. She inspired students, faculty, and the community that evening. As Leymah shared her experiences the audience took in what she had to say with listening ears, reflecting on what courage and conviction means in their own lives.

I was personally inspired by Leymah also. She is a woman who sees something wrong and takes immediate action. She opened with a story that touched me. As a person who led the women’s movement in Liberia, you would expect grand stories from this experience, but it was a much more simple story that affected me the most. Leymah witnessed a teenage boy verbally abusing a middle school age girl. She confronted the boy and discussed the inappropriate behavior, which I am sure left a mark on him, but Leymah did not stop there. She also talked to the girls and told them the importance of sisterhood, something very dear to Leymah. In Leymah’s eyes something was not right, there was conviction towards the wrong she was seeing. Leymah also demonstrated the courage to act upon the wrong she saw. Maybe it seems like such a small example, but it means so much to me. How different would our actions look if we went forth with courage in our convictions? How different would our world be if we did this even in our day-to-day interactions? It has been over a month since Leymah’s visit, but I encourage us to reflect back upon her message that evening and allow it not be just a nice thought, but let it flow through our actions.

Lee Camp was a HIT!!

Well, the room was full with over 100 messiah students and faculty member packed into Frey to hear Lee Camp speak on his hot-off-the-press book! And while riddled with humor and antics, Camp was nothing short of fascinating as he shared his thoughts on how Muslims and Christians are not deep rooted enemies, but rather called to be servants together. Moreover, it was great to hear Camp’s personal transition from a place of fear of Islam to place of respect and comfort. From Israel/Palestine to 9/11 the talk was nothing short of enlightening and engaging to we thank Lee Camp for his visit  and work! Remember, get his book “Who is my Enemy” off amazon or other site today!

Messiah Occupies: Pictures from MC students’ trip to Wall Street

Hey all! More posts on their way from the trip to Wall Street to participate in Occupy Wall Street, but in the meantime, enjoy a few pictures from the adventure, courtesy of our PACS major and friend! Enjoy!

From Liberia to Yemen, Women Making Peace

Have you heard?? The 2011 Peace Prize winners are all women, all non-violent activists, and thus all worthy of our attention. From Liberia we have Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (the President of Liberia) and Laymah Gbowee, and from Yemen there is Tawakkul Karman. All three are amazing women who have so much to say about peace, God, and society. Read more about them in either place:

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2011/johnson_sirleaf.html

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/nobel-peace-prize-2011-peace-is-womens-work/2011/10/11/gIQAa355cL_blog.html

Occupy Wall Street: Get informed and check it out!!

Peaceful protesters being arrested… Anti-consumerism speeches.. potential progressive revolution in process?? You’ll want to get yourself informed on this piece of news. This event, which originally was created by progressive magazine AdBusters, has been event for over a decade now, but this year it is even more intense and note-worthy than ever. Check on the link to the organization, and then the other link of live coverage to the arrest of calm peaceful protesters.

http://occupywallst.org/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/24/national/main20111240.shtml