Saturday, August 02, 2008

Courage required

Last Sunday, 27 July 2008, two people were killed and six injured because of the church they attended, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. The accused gunman, Jim D. Adkisson, left a note suggesting that he targeted the church because of its liberal policies including its acceptance of gays. The note indicated that Adkisson intended to keep shooting, killing many people, until the police showed up and killed him. Instead he only fired three times before members of the congregation tackled him, holding him until police arrived.

How much courage does it require to attend your church? Are books being written advocating that people with your views be attacked with baseball bats? Are millions of radio show listeners being told daily that policies that your church has, such as its attitudes towards gays, lesbians and transsexuals, are ruining the country?

Tomorrow, August 3, here in the Quad Cities the Davenport Unitarian Church will be holding a special service of healing and remembrance for the shootings at Knoxville at 10 am. All are welcome. If you are not near the Quad Cities I imagine you might be able to find a special service at a Unitarian-Universalist church near you. Those with sufficient courage should attend.

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