*At an unprecedented bond hearing where Charleston families of victims were allowed to make statements before bond was set – something usually reserved for sentencing – suspected killer Dylann Roof was showered with unexpected forgiveness. One family member even went so far as to give Roof an invitation to accept Christ as his Savior.
Roof reportedly intended to start a race war, but what he thought to be a score for evil, God’s people scored for good. The reaction of Black America was counter-intuitive. There was no civil unrest, no call to arms, and no hatred being spewed – only love and compassion from Americans in general at the realization of such a dastardly act being carried out in a place of worship. I can only imagine the gut-wrenching anguish the victims experienced as their lives were at the mercy of a madman whom they had moments earlier received with kindness into their Bible study. Roof said he almost got cold-feet because of their kindness, but said he had to carry out his “mission” anyway. It doesn’t get any lower than that.
One family member said she was very angry, but thankful that the collective efforts of the law were not allowing hate to win. She said she forgave Roof “Because we are the family that love built.”
Sorry all you racist hate-mongers who were waiting in the dark shadows to commence all-out war; those internet illiterates who drum up hateful rhetoric and propaganda behind the cloak of anonymity. The true spirit of America is bigger than that!
I feel sorry for all you politicians who are so afraid of losing a vote for calling the sickness just what it is – racism. If you’re not for a solution, then you must be for the minority who taint your political record and your very soul. I hope you can live with yourself. Ninety percent (90%) of Americans were for stricter gun control laws after the Sandy Hook massacre, but you failed to act. How many more tragedies like this must America suffer at the hands of those who obviously should not have access to guns? As President Obama so clearly stated, the reforms won’t stop all the gun-related crimes, but if it will reduce the numbers (11,000 in 2013) that will be a step in the right direction.
The Bible says if our actions cause another to stumble, don’t do it. Since the confederate flag that waves over South Carolina’s state capitol seems to be doing just that, Governor Haley please show some moxie and take it down. Surly you can see how it contributed to Roof’s downfall. There are reportedly 19 hate groups in your state that rally around that flag. Do not let what you regard as good be evil-spoken of (Romans 14:16). That flag was not raised until 1962 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement as an act of defiance. It had nothing to do with honoring heritage/ancestry or it would have been raised long before.
In honor of the victims, following is a list of each of their names. I hope when there is another tragedy that neither our so-called leaders nor any of their family member’s names appear on such a list due to senseless violence:
The victims are: Sharonda Coleman-Singleton; Cynthia Hurd; Susie Jackson; Ethel Lance; Reverend Depayne Middleton; Reverend and Senator Clementa Pinckney; Tywanza Sanders; Reverend Daniel Simmons; and Myra Thompson. We’re so proud of the families and our prayers are with them. Their statements showed their hearts were nurtured in love; Roof’s actions showed his heart was nurtured in hate.
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