I'm sure all of you are aware of the horrible news coming from Norway in recent days. As the number of deaths climbed and details emerged the sadness only grew. It's bad enough that the downtown in Oslo was bombed but the targeting of teens, who were on an island with no ready escape, who were lured close to a killer posing as a protector, is just beyond comprehension.
As soon as I read the news online I sent an email to Renny BA and his wife, Diane CA since I know they both work in the area that was bombed. They were on vacation in Sweden and so they were safe. Renny's blog focus is to share the culture of Norway and I have learned so much from him over the years. He does a wonderful job representing his nation to the world. In the aftermath of this terrible event he has written a piece about the loss of innocence in Norway. In it he quotes one of the surviving youth as saying, “You will not destroy us. You will not destroy our democracy or our ideals for a better world”.
In his own comment section he responds to another with his own remark, "The only way to “fight” this terror is to respond with respect, care and love. One of the young survivors from the island attack has expressed this in an excellent way:
“If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we can show together.“
As Norway grieves, I pray for the comfort of the families of victims, and that their nation succeeds in preserving its example of an open and peaceful society. With young people displaying wisdom and resolve such as Renny shares, I believe there is hope.
12 comments:
It's been incredibly heartbreaking. I'm glad your friends are alright.
“If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we can show together.“
With words like that even in the light of such evil maybe there is some hope for Humanity after all.
That last statement is so powerful.
My upcoming post is also about Norway, neighbouring country to where I live right now (Sweden).
I don't often read the news but when I read about the horrible, horrible actions of that lone man, against so many innocents, it broke my heart. I just couldn't believe nor understand it. I still can't.
Glad your friends are okay and w/pray for the rest~ how sad this all is.
Thank you for posting this, Michelle. Of course, I stand with the people of Norway. My heart breaks at the knowledge that there are those among us whose hearts so overflow with evil as to hunt and kill defenseless children.
I am seeing reports that the killer is a 'right-wing ultra-conservative Christian'; apart from the stringing together of all those 'hot-button' media labels, can I simply say, for my part as a committed Christian, that however the young man is labelled, 'Christian' is singularly inapt. . .
The whole story has been one I can't quite grasp. I know what happened, in factual detail, but the evil behind it is unfathomable. Prayer has been said, of course, but... Well, in any case, I marvel at the spirit shown by some in the face of such tragedy. God bless them!
In case you (or anyone else) are interested, here is an interesting link pertaining to the 'Christianity' of the Oslo killer. . .
Loss of innocence indeed. This is one of the few places on planet that I thought was pristine and perhaps a nice place to visit. No longer. Apparently some in Norway cannot fathom the introduction of other cultures.
I shall read Renny's presentation, thanks.
It irks me to no end that this deranged individual is smearing the name of Christ, who is the only hope for true peace and/or love in this fallen world. Admittedly, I personally believe Christians can be right in exercising force (ex. Amer. Revolution), but this action is so contradictory to Christianity, and even to political right wing conservatism that it is just off the charts.
My heart aches for the people of Norway. May the true Christians in that area glorify the Lord by finding a way to bring something good to all of those who need it.
“If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we can show together.“
I've seen posts by so many people that don't grasp this simple truth.
Sad. Just sad.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil--hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars--must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation." (Martin Luther King)
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