kingfisher241049

Families of some of the children murdered in rural Pennsylvania have reportedly invited the wife of their killer to the funerals.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...236039,00.html

WOW!! These people are so forgiving, I can't believe it. Allowing the wife of the man who killed their kids to attend their funerals. Amazing!!

Englishmum

I can believe it.

Unlike most of us whom regard ourselves as Christians (ie. only usually attend church for weddings, funerals, christenings) they live and breathe their faith and follow the tenets of what Jesus preached - which is to forgive and to love their enemies.

I heard one of the Amish men saying that they needed to 'turn the other cheek'. These people are so admirable. They say that the (souls of the) children have 'gone to a better place'...by this they mean they've gone to Heaven....and I think they're probably right.

The little school house is going to be demolished, understandably.

TruBrit

i feel sorry for the wife, what a cross to bear, maybe she feels guilty and wonders if she could have done something to stop him i dunno anyway imo from what i've read there's no need to ostracise her

kingfisher241049

You just have to have respect for these people. I wish I could be so forgiving and understanding.

Sarah

You can. If they can do it so can you, so can everyone, it's just extremely hard but I think its definitely something to aspire to.
I live amongst Amish and Mennonite people, they do all our local farmers markets, run handyman businesses, provide local shops with farm produce etc. My town is holding a candelight vigil for them this weekend, and I'm deliberating whether or not to go.

Anyway, one of the standard beliefs of these people is this; you must pray for people who have commited evil against you, forgive them, and wish them well on their journey in life.
Beautiful.
If you can manage to do it, all the more so.

willmore

Well said sarah. Its so easy these days to retaliate against another person instead of trying to forgive. It's one of the hardest things a person has to do, but it makes them a stronger person in the long run.

I grew up in the KW area in Ontario where there were a few number of amish and mennonite folks. We would go and visit their farmers market, local shops, etc. and admire them greatly. No electricity, no modern appliances, riding in a horse and buggy during the coldest winter months.

It was a terrible tragedy that man shooting those 6 innocent little girls. They must have been terrified and the other children will be traumatized for life. Yet the community holds their head up high and they continue to proceed with life with such dignity.

nethead

Yep they are amazing, they really do walk the talk. There has been a fund set up for the Amish community,and they have also set one up for the children of the killer.

anotherlimey

I don't disagree with any of the comments about the Amish, but what has the women done that needs forgiveness?

As far as we know, she didn't know anything?

Rete

Agreed. She is as innocent in this as you or I. I feel for her children as well. For always to be thought of as the kid whose father killed those children. I hope their classmates have the same attitude as the Amish in their community and will not hold this against them for the sins of their father.

britvic

It's so very sad all round, I hope the Wife and Children can get a new identity and try and put there live's back together.

willmore

And didnt she call the police after he called her saying that he was going to a school and kill.....

Rushman

Personally I blame the wife....afterall it was her that told her husband to "Shoot up the school luv and get the kids for me will ya!!!"

Hiro11

Totally disagree. The wife clearly ignored warning signs for years and did very little to stop the events from unfolding. Maybe she had no idea that he would take it this far, but clearly something was seriously amiss with this guy for years. I'd find it very hard to forgive her if these were my kids. I guess I'm just sick of the fact that every time a killer is revealed, people always act like they "had no idea".
That I agree with.

anotherlimey

What warning signs were those? Do you know this family personally?

Hiro11

I take your point but I find it extremely hard to believe that anyone living with this loser wouldn't have picked up that something was wrong. I don't buy the "he was leading a double life" excuse.

It's similar to the BTK killer in Kansas from few years back: it turns out there were all sorts of indications about Rader for years and no one did anything about it.