WHEN IS A CHURCH A CHURCH THAT GOD WILL ATTEND?
HOW SHALL WE PRAY FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE?
Gunman Kills 2, Injures 7 In Tennessee Church
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A gunman opened fire at a church youth performance Sunday, killing two people, including a man witnesses called a hero for shielding others from a shotgun blast.
Seven adults were injured, five seriously, but no children were harmed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A gunman opened fire at a church youth performance Sunday, killing two people, including a man witnesses called a hero for shielding others from a shotgun blast.
Seven adults were injured, five seriously, but no children were harmed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
FROM THE NEWS.GOOGLE ARTICLE AND SEEN BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
As we arrived on scene, the thing that struck us most about the pleasant neighborhood where the church shooting took place was the sheer number of houses of worship — a Greek Orthodox church, various Protestant Christian denominations, a couple of synagogues.
These diverse religious institutions are pulling together and lending support in this time of crisis, while an entire community tries to make sense out of a senseless crime.
Why was this one Unitarian church targeted by a man with no apparent connection to the congregation? While investigators are looking into whether this was a “hate crime,” they have yet to determine a motive. And neighbors of the suspect describe 58-year-old Jim Adkisson as a “really nice guy” who did not seem like a threat.
Tonight, the community is mourning the deaths of two victims, while also counting its blessings. Had it not been for the heroic actions of church members who reportedly blocked the gunman’s shots and tackled him before he could reload, authorities say the outcome could have been far worse.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
We like to think of our houses of worship as refuges — places that enable us to transcend the problems of the world, even if for only an hour each week.
Members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church probably had the same presumption this morning, as they watched their children perform a play. But then the problems of the world came to church in the form of a gunman. This apparent stranger opened fire — killing at least one person and injuring more than half a dozen others before members of the congregation were able to subdue him until police arrived.
The church posted the following statement on its website:
- Our congregation is recovering from the violent incident that occurred during this morning’s worship service. Please keep us in your prayers.
AND FROM THE WORLD'S POINT OF VIEW THIS IS A CHURCH.
- The church, like many other Unitarian Universalist churches, promotes progressive social work, such as desegregation and fighting for the rights of women and gays. The Knoxville congregation has provided sanctuary for political refugees, fed the homeless and founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, according to its Web site.
HOW SHALL WE PRAY FOR A "CHURCH" WHO HAS A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT IS NOT CHRISTIAN?
Its statement of belief never mentions God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or the Bible. It says, among other things, "WE BELIEVE in the tolerance of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening." Thus, they do not believe the words of Jesus, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." Do they believe Baal-worship and Satanism have intrinsic merit and potential value? Note this statement on Vine and Fig.
What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
From their website
WE BELIEVE in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theologies, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.
WE BELIEVE in the tolerance of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.
WE BELIEVE in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, nor a document, nor an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual.
WE BELIEVE in the never-ending search for Truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations that appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.
WE BELIEVE in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.
WE BELIEVE in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice-and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.
WE BELIEVE in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.
THEREFORE HOW SHOULD WE VIEW WHAT A CHURCH IS, AND WHO SHALL WE PRAY FOR THESE GROUP OF PEOPLE
