About a decade ago, a beloved co-worker of mine was murdered on her way home from a Christmas-time Mass. Her attacker tried to steal her purse. She was feisty and fought back. He slit her throat and left her to die in a pool of blood in her carport.
Donna’s death devastated all of us who worked with her. A few days later, her killer was caught. That’s when I felt a surprising emotion: I had little feeling of vengeance for her murderer. I had always thought if someone I loved was slain, I would want his/her killer put to death. But the nothing the court could do would bring Donna back. I wanted her killer to spend the rest of his life in prison, mostly to protect others from him. But killing him just felt like a needless form of revenge.
I say this because you never know exactly how you’re going react to something until you find yourself in that situation. Greg Laurie, leader of Harvest Christian Fellowship and the Harvest Crusade, lost his 33-year-old son this week in a traffic accident. When I was a Christian, the death of a son would have been the ultimate test of my faith. And I’m not sure I would have been able to forgive God for letting him die, especially if I devoted my life to serving Him.
But here’s what Laurie told the Los Angeles Times in this story:
I still believe. This faith we hold in Jesus Christ is real.
He said the day of the accident “was the most devastating day of my life. I felt like time stood still.” He said that he’d trade spots with his son if he could, but that he took solace in knowing that his son was in heaven.
“I just said: ‘Lord, he’s yours. I dedicated him when he was a little boy, and I dedicate him back to you now.’ “
I’m quite sure my reaction would have been much different. But if you’re one of Laurie’s congregants or a follower of Jesus Christ, his words must have held deep meaning.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Drew // Jul 30, 2008 at 12:22 am
Tragic.
I don’t know how people don’t get angry at the god either. I mean, they are quick to heap praises when things go well, but never get critical when things don’t. (as a NY sports fan, I am known to be extreme on both endslol)
Is it fear? Fear of retribution for calling out the god?
I am with you. The tragic loss of a loved one would be enough to cause me to rethink how I felt about such a god.
On a side note, while it is hard to criticize someone who is grieving for what they say, but does anyone else get an unpleasant feeling when reading the last line of the quote? It is a human life, and while that life may be your child, it is not some property you can “dedicate”, it doesn’t belong to you, it isn’t your’s to give.
It seems to fit with the overall sense that religious people place much less value on human life than, well, at least than I do.
2 pat // Jul 30, 2008 at 1:06 am
Human life is valuable, of course. His son’s life was cut off way too early and there’s another child on the way in his family. Belief in an afterlife and knowing that you will see your loved one again is the point of view here. Stages of grief include anger after the shock. However in the Bible it says that our days are numbered by God and only He knows how long we have. Sometimes reporters don’t report accurate quotes. Discussions I’ve heard on the radio from Chris’ friends and coworkers say that his talent and accomplishments left a legacy tthat they want to build on.
3 Thranil // Jul 30, 2008 at 1:14 am
What I find interesting is that statistically speaking, bad stuff happens to Christians just as often as they do to Atheists. Good stuff happens just as much too. So, remind me why I should worship this god again?
4 pat // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:16 am
The rain falls on everyone, and the things that need rain grow. Only worship someone you choose to love. It is your choice. God never said it would be easy. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt anyone from bad stuff. Christians aren’t followers of Christ because they want to get something, but follow out of a chosen love. (Of course, there is a false message as preached on TBN-health and wealth or as some call it, Blab it and Grab it. ) The true message of the gospel is about salvation of our souls, and being greatful for that results in a love relationship. God isn’t about giving us everything we want, but everything we need co mes when we’re ready to handle it. I’m sure you’ll find something to challenge in my response because you have a different worldview.
5 pat // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:26 am
Speaking of being tested by fire, my community was surrounded with fire for the past month. Most had to evacuate. The whole community pulled together in support of each other and the firefighters and free provisions are being made for those who lost everything. The fire burned both Christian and non-Christian homes. Churches as well as Health Clubs and even the Gambling Casino provided sanctuary for the evacuated. There was no discussion about who or what religion or lack of religion-just people caring. When I left I heard 2 firefighters says that my street for sure was going to burn because flames fueled by wind were spreading from tree to tree. Amazingly the street was saved after all by hard working, dedicated firemen. However, it was really close. And this didn’t cause any to lose faith over why bad things happen. Life is what it is.
6 Thranil // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:32 am
“The true message of the gospel is about salvation of our souls”
From what?
7 Thranil // Jul 30, 2008 at 3:12 am
Actually, take a step back from that last question. What is a soul? How do you know you have one? How do you know that it needs to be saved anyway? And then, from what would you be saving your soul?
8 Alexander // Jul 30, 2008 at 5:36 am
If you guys did not get a chance to listen to Greg Laurie address his congregation and radio audience on Sunday, I highly recommend watching. It’s about 17 minutes and includes a prayer at the end.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ff5o8yRmPHc
9 Shoto // Jul 30, 2008 at 10:19 pm
While I feel badly for Greg Laurie’s loss, I can’t in good conscience refrain from criticizing him personally. This guy is nothing but another in a long line of suede-shoe snake oil salesmen. He plays on the fear and desperation of the ignorant and hapless among us. What he does (and those of his ilk do) is nothing more dignified than stealing. Not a good person by any stretch.
10 Edward T. Babinski // Aug 1, 2008 at 10:55 am
BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO CHRISTIANS
Kyle Lake, 33, pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, died Sunday after being electrocuted while standing in the church baptismal during a morning service. Lake received a shock while adjusting a microphone before baptizing a woman… About 800 people were attending the service, which was more than usual due to Baylor University’s homecoming weekend, reports the Associated Press. Lake was a rising leader in new church movements such as Emergent. Lake is survived by his wife and three children.
CT Staff, “Pastor Electrocuted in Baptismal: Pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco Dies After Adjusting Microphone.” Christianity Today, posted 10/31/2005
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/144/14.0.html#related
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In May, 2008, Maria Sue, the 5-year-old adopted daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed in the family’s driveway by a vehicle driven by Chapman’s teenaged son. (Previously Chapman had released a book about Maria Sue titled “Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess”)
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Rev. Oral Roberts had a dream in which God told him that his daughter-in-law, Patti, would be killed in a place crash if she ever left his ministry. Patti did leave the ministry, distressed at the way her husband, Richard Roberts, was being turned into a clone of Oral, and the way they rationalized their expensive lifestyles. But the year Patti left his ministry, she did not die in a plane crash, while Rebecca, Oral’s own daughter, did.
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On November 2, 1982, Rev. Lester Roloff (who had appeared a year earlier on “60 Minutes” stating his defiance of the what he called “Texas’s Godless juvenile home system”), along with a female staff member and a ladies singing trio, were killed when their plane crashed near Normangee, Texas on their way to a preaching and singing service they were scheduled to conduct.
11 Edward T. Babinski // Aug 1, 2008 at 10:57 am
FIVE CHILDREN GATHERED AROUND A CROSS ARE KILLED BY LIGHTNING DURING RELIGIOUS CEREMONY
Five children between 9 and 16 years old died and several others suffered burns when lightning struck a white-painted metal cross set on a hill in the town of Santa Maria del Rio, Mexico, early on Sunday. “The lightning went straight into them and killed them instantly,” local Red Cross chief Eduardo Suarez said. Several families had been participating in a midnight ceremony as part of a local religious festival that centers around the cross.
“Lightning kills 5 Mexican children in prayer: Youths between 9 and 16 die praying at metal cross in central Mexico,” Reuters, April 24, 2006
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12467604/from/ET/
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ELEVEN CHURCHGOERS KILLED BY LIGHTNING
About 40 people had gathered in the Church of Central African Presbytery in Mzimba, South Africa, when lightning struck on Saturday afternoon, said Fletcher Ndhlovu, an elder of the church. “Strong lightning struck the church building, sending everybody into shock,” Ndhlovu told AFP. The victims were taken to the district hospital “where 11 people were pronounced dead on arrival,” said Mzimba hospital physician Barton Jere. “The persons arrived here when they were already dead but we admitted eight people and 10 others were treated as out patients,” Jere told AFP. “They were all in a state of shock.”
“Lightning Kills 11 In Church,” Dec. 18, 2005
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1852587,00.html
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MAN HOLDING CROSS IS KILLED BY LIGHTNING
A man died after lightning struck a metal cross he was holding during a funeral in a village near Ljubljana, the Slovenian news agency STA reported Thursday. It said the 62-year-old man died in hospital Wednesday evening, several hours after the incident in the village of Brezovica. Another person at the funeral was slightly injured.
Reuters, “Man Dies After Lightning Strikes Metal Cross,” June 23, 2005
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BOY SCOUTS KILLED BY LIGHTNING
A 15-year old Boy Scout (the Boy Scouts of America do not tolerate people who are openly atheist, agnostic, or unwilling to say in the Scout Oath they they will serve God) was killed and three others were injured last night when a bolt of lightning hit the log shelter they were sleeping in. Last Thursday, a 13-year-old Scout was killed by lightning in California. Four Scout leaders were electrocuted in Virginia earlier that week.
“Utah Boy Scout Killed By Lightning: Another Tragedy Hits Organization,” August 3, 2005 http://www.wftv.com/news/4805402/detail.html?treets=orlc&tml=orlc_4pm&ts=T&tmi=orlc_4pm_1_03000208032005
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WOMAN STRUCK DOWN BY LIGHTNING WHILE PRAYING
Worried about the safety of her family during a stormy Memorial Day trip to the beach, Clara Jean Brown, 65, stood in her kitchen and prayed for their safe return as a strong thunderstorm rumbled through Baldwin County, Alabama. She said “Amen” and… lightning suddenly exploded in her house, blowing through the linoleum and leaving a blackened area on the concrete. Brown wound up on the floor, dazed and disoriented by the blast but otherwise uninjured. Fire officials think the lightning likely struck across the street from the couple’s home and traveled into the house through a water line. The lightning continued into the couple’s backyard and ripped open a small trench.
“Woman Hit By Lightning While Praying,” Associated Press, May 30, 2006 http://www.WSBTV.com
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CHURCH OF CHRIST STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
A pile of rubble now sits where The Candlelight Church of Christ once stood in northwest Houston. Firefighters think lightning started the fire late Sunday night. Members of the congregation stopped by to see it for themselves and were a bit taken back.
ABC13 Eyewitness News, “Lightning May Be to Blame for Church Fire,” 5/31/05
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/060105_local_churchfire.html
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CATHOLIC CHURCHES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Lightning struck the bell tower of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, sparking a fire. Battling the fire became complicated when firefighters couldn’t get a nearby hydrant to work… The building had been a landmark in Pawnee, Illinois.
- Associated Press, “Pawnee Church Fire”
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=3334485
While some had talked about lowering the spire on the steeple of St. Valentine’s Catholic Church in Peru after Monday’s lightning strike, it now appears the steeple will be rebuilt as it was. The strike blew apart much of the spire, sending debris in all directions.
- Steve Depies, “Church Rebuilding After Lightning Strike,” http://www.newstrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&ArticleID=18171&SubSectionID=207
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BAPTIST CHURCH STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that heavily damaged the Cold Point Baptist Church in Whitemarsh Township in Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania… Fire officials believe a lightning bolt struck a nearby pole that fell onto the church roof, starting the fire about one o’clock this morning.
Associated Press, “Mont. Co. Church Fire Blamed on Lightning,” August 15, 2005 http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=3351786
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EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Lightning has struck twice at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vandalia, Illinois–but the bolts came more than 112 years apart. Fire officials say lightning was the apparent cause of a fire that collapsed the roof of the church’s sanctuary late Monday. In July of 1893, another bolt ignited a fire that destroyed the previous church building… This week’s fire destroyed the church, which was built in 1895.
Associated Press, “Lightning Strikes Twice for Vandalia Church,” 2005
http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3878230&nav=7k7NJ1IJ
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INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCH STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Lightning caused a fire that destroyed a century-old church in Churubusco, Indiana… Charter Oak had completed a new addition within the last year and had plans for further expansion. It is part of the Independent Fundamentalist Churches of America, an association of independent churches.
Associated Press, “Lightning Destroys Century-Old Church,” November 17, 2005
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051117/NEWS01/511170529/1006
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12 Edward T. Babinski // Aug 1, 2008 at 11:00 am
Jul 9, 2007 1:59 pm US/Eastern
Religious Book Seller Struck By Lightning
HIALEAH (CBS) ? A man making a trip from Puerto Rico to South Florida to raise money for his religious education remains hospitalized Monday after he was struck down by a bolt of lightning which flew from clear blue sky on Sunday. He was selling religious materials when he was hit.
Hailu Kidane Marian was working with members of his religious group, selling religious materials door-to-door in a Northwest Miami-Dade neighborhood, when the bolt from the blue struck him down.
“I heard a boom, and I looked and the guy jumped back, and he just laid there, stiff,” said witness Maria Martinez.
Paramedics say Marian was not breathing and his heart was not beating when they arrived, but they were able to revive him and rushed him to Jackson Memorial hospital, where he was in critical condition Sunday night.
Members of his religious group waited outside the hospital throughout the night for word of his condition.
“He’s unconscious, he’s in a coma,” said Francisco Perez, leader of the Puerto Rico-based group. “It’s difficult what happened, you know, but what can we do? Things happen in life, but we still believe in God.”
This is the second incident in as many months of someone being struck down by lightning from a clear sky in South Florida.
Last month David Canales, a gardener who worked in the Pinecrest area, was killed when lightning apparently struck him from a rainless sky. Two co-workers standing nearby were unhurt.
CBS Miami Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said ‘dry lightning’, which can strike even when the sky is clear, can be very dangerous because victims are not expecting it and don’t prepare as they might with a storm threatening.
Measurement of lightning strikes in the area Sunday showed only a few bolts compared to the last few days, making Marian especially unlucky to be struck by one of them.
Nobody else was injured when the bolt flew from the sky.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
http://cbs4.com/watercooler/Hailu.Kidane.Marian.2.286248.html
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