Posters having fun with the "Bible blocks bullet " event are missing the funniest part of the story.

[11 Bravo]

The dead pastor was married with two children! Isn't that a fucking scream? Not only did a wife lose her husband, but two kids no longer have a father!
Is that not the most hilarious fucking thing you've ever heard?

[anonymous171]

1. Religionist had it coming.

:sarcasm:

[Pavulon]

2. Thanks

the direction this has taken crossed poor taste, even by internet standards, quite a while ago.

[Oregone]

3. Well, I for one, find no humor. The entire episode is a miracle that attests to Gods power.

[Ezlivin]

7. I'm an atheist that has no love for organized (or unorganized) religion

But I'd still side with that pastor over the sick fuck that shot him and made his wife a widow.

I see no miracles in any of this. All I see is one very disturbed, armed man shooting an innocent man.

[Oregone]

8. No miracles?!? The bible blocked a bullet!

Tomorrow, thousands will hear the truth and convert. God often inspires events like this just to touch people's hearts and minds. As far as I am concerned, it was God Himself that pulled that trigger, to show his might to the world.

[Pavulon]

12. Dude, get a grip

not much else to say. Take all aspects of religion and faith, or personal beliefs OUT of this topic and you still have a dead guy. Who has kids and a wife living through this.

Empathy. People who lack it are generally not nice people.

[Oregone]

15. You also have something else in addition to that

A rabid and delusional populace, driven by a frenzied media, that is using a coincidence in a tragedy (where someone dies) to justify their insane beliefs.

Now, that is sick, but also a bit humorous. If you will, attempt to take out the dead guy, and see the other side to all this. We also cannot close our eyes in tragedy to what is going on around us. That is a tad bit intellectually lazy.

[polmaven]

18. Would you please provide a link

that justifies your rabid and delusional post?

[Oregone]

22. My post is rabid and delusion?

There is not an insane population and frenzied media claiming this is a miracle in some way?

http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHMC_enCA305CA305&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=bible+blocks+bullet+miracle

This whole thing is being twisted and used as some argument for a higher power. That is sick. Yet, there is black humor in it all considering the death is all but ignored by the proponents of the argument. What exactly do you want justified?

[Pavulon]

27. They are stupid assholes, we should not join them

look I am obviously not pushing a belief system. This is about the absolute poor taste being used by some posters.

It is basic humanity to extend empathy to someone murdered. Especially someone who appears to be a RANDOM crime victim.

It may be funny to someone if you were killed in an auto collision with a septic sucker truck. However your family would fail to see the irony.

[Oregone]

You know, I don't know what has been said or done regarding targetting the Pastor

But for anyone who thinks they are justified to take an event like this and use it to promote religion, they are open game. That doesn't make you an asshole to point out exactly how ridiculous people are who exploit tragedy for their own idealogical gain.

[Ocracoker16]

48. no where you are lost is in believing that the people from the church are using this to justify them

I know exactly where you got off track. It has to do with misreading the OP. What the OP says is that the bible blocked the first round. There is nothing about the people at this church getting hyper about how God must be looking with favor upon them since the bible blocked the first bullet. If you think about it, you might notice that the pastor died. That means that the bible blocking the first bullet being regarded as a miracle wouldn't make sense in light of the fact that a later bullet hit and killed him. If people were claiming there was a miracle here it would be easy to say so how come the bible didn't block those other bullets.

I will give you one thing though. Many at DU get so excited to bash Christians that in reporting the fact that the bible blocked the bullet, they make it sound like the Christian people are bragging about it. When in fact nobody interviewed has talked about it as a miracle. People just want to make Christians look stupid which is not a hard thing in some cases. This was an easy one to take something that happened and claim that the people were gushing over this event showing that God was there. However, they have made themselves fools, because there was no miracle because the pastor is dead. The bible taking one bullet doesn't seem overly exciting.

[Oregone]

50. "The bible taking one bullet doesn't seem overly exciting" -- Then why is it the lead to the story?

Its actually a pretty non-newsworthy piece of information. In normal shootings, do they lead stories by citing the furniture and car parts that blocked the bullets before the people are fatally killed? Isn't the mere mention of a bible "deflecting" (active verb) the bullet as the lead headline suggestive of a miracle in itself (or at least importance)? Isn't this headline rather strange and suspicious?

No, it isn't overly exciting except for the fact that newspapers decided to lead with it. What the hell, if that isn't screwed up? Thats like leading a story about a news conference as "Obama wore a Gucci suit last night". Unless you think that this fact is significant in the story, its not even worth mentioning at all, much less leading with. The real headline should of been: "Pastor fatally shot by gunman. 3 others wounded."

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMC_enCA305CA305&q=bible+deflects+bullet&btnG=Search&meta=

I may sound reactionary, but this approach alone by the media to report a factual story seems like they are going a bit beyond just reporting the news. The headline suggests there is some sort of importance to the bible deflecting the bullet. If not a miracle, what importance would they be suggesting?

[omega minimo]

57. THE IMPORTANCE OF RATINGS.

All of your posts, you almost get your own point, as a justification to attack "religionists" -- and still miss your point. The MEDIA using the story not to promote RELIGION but to promote RATINGS.

"...but this approach alone by the media to report a factual story seems like they are going a bit beyond just reporting the news. The headline suggests there is some sort of importance to the bible deflecting the bullet. If not a miracle, what importance would they be suggesting?"

[polmaven]

37. What I see at that link

are people attempting to be as sarcastic as you are...What I did NOT see is anyone being serious about those claims, and I did not see MEDIA reporting it as fact. What I see here is a lame attempt to twist what is being found there.

At another thread here today, basically saying as you did that MSNBC is calling this a miracle. Here is the link I posted. Maybe you can come up with the word miracle...I can't.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29582081

[Oregone]

42. I think I heard the word miracle on CNN

Ill look for a video to see if I can find it and post it.

But come on now, every time God sends a plane hurling to the ground and a single person lives, its a miracle. You are being willfully ignorant to deny anyone is claiming it to be so here. For God's sake :), if someone lives through a beating or a car wreck its a damn miracle.

[11 Bravo]

49. But you didn't hear it from a DUer.

I'm responding to those progeressives who find humor in the situation ON DU, not in a blog, not in a newspaper, not on cable news, but right here in this bastion of progressive discourse.

[Oregone]

43. dupe

[NoSheep]

60. No. Your post isn't rabid or delusional. For some reason, it seems to make

some feel better to equate the things some of us might point out at times like this...about some PART of the story, with craziness. Some people don't seem to be able to hold more than one outlook in their minds at a time; can't see how you might feel bad for the guy's family yet chose not to go on and on about that aspect of the story because for Pete's sake, people are dying every fucking day and these self righteous, frankly simple in my opinion, people aren't quitting their jobs and going to save them all now are they???

They'd rather sit in their chairs, doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and call you out on a message board for being a FREAK if any part of the story disgusts YOU in some way. Your sensibilities are unimportant.

Nope. Can't think about more than one thing at a time. They are perfect because they care so much about this guy. Look at them all running to help his poor wife and children. No...shut up. Don't dare talk about how this incident brings about some of the most destructive and irrational shit on the planet. Don't dare mention that. A man has died here (and how many others that didn't make the news in the last 15 seconds since I've been writing this?)

Actually, I have an idea. Why doesn't everyone just unplug their computers right this second, and mourn the dead. Stop thinking....aht! Stop it. Mourn the dead. No thinking and definately no laughing...ever. Irony is just a figment of your sick imagination. You should devote the rest of your life to making sure these good people here on this message board are sleeping better at night knowing you haven't had a single fucking original thought since the last time they checked.

[hootinholler]

21. Of course the density of cellulose had nothing to do with it.

IBTL of this flame fest.

-Hoot

[Duke Newcombe]

68. Mocking. Nice...

I think you forgot your little :sarcasm: thingie...

[baldingrockwarlord]

9. nothing funny about it, but....

Help me out w/ this one, please. How is The entire episode a "miracle that attests to Gods power"? The pastor is dead. There is NO miracle here. One report even eludes to the book blowing out confetti after the shot and parishoners thinking it was a staged skit for a brief moment. This whole notion of the bible deflecting the bullet as if there were some special mojo happening there is just ridiculous. Did the book prevent that one bullet from hitting the pastor? Perhaps it did. Maybe a different bullet killed the pastor. Time and facts will bear the truth. But to call a bullet being stopped by any thick book a miracle is delusional, especially when ultimately the Bible didn't save the pastor's life.

Show me the miracle!

Guns n God, Bibles n Bullets...How unfortunate.

[Oregone]

"Did the book prevent that one bullet from hitting the pastor? " -- No. God did.

God inspired that first bullet to be fired, such that he can illustrate his might stopping it.

"But to call a bullet being stopped by any thick book a miracle is delusional"

It is clear that you are absolutely delusional in this matter actually. God parted waters, talked through a burning bush, brought a man back from life (all facts), and you think it is unbelievable that he stopped a bullet? Your eyes are not open, clearly. How many more gunmen does God have to inspire, bullets does He have to stop, planes that he must save, for you to see the truth?

[polmaven]

20. That particular poster

is being obnoxiously "sarcastic" trying to imitate what he/she is imagining what the parisioners of the church are thinking. It is a sick attempt at using a tragedy to do more religion bashing.

[Oregone]

24. Im not using tragedy to bash religion.

I am bashing those who use tragedy to promote religion. Its a bit different.

[polmaven]

39. Again I will say

that the link you provided does not show anyone seriously "promoting religion". What I have seen in the (at least) two threads about this is a whole lot of using this tragedy to bash religion.

[Bluerthanblue]

61. that still makes you a basher-

and that sucks-

What good are you bringing anyone?

If people are being delusional and foolish in their use of this tragedy to promote 'religion'- your being sarcastic and foolish to promote your perspective doesn't sit any easier.

give it a break, for everyones sake.

peace~

[Deep13]

4. It does rather beg the question, though.

Why didn't god stop it? I've heard the same question asked about John Paul II who claimed one manifestation of the Virgin Mary's maternal hand guided the bullet to miss any vital spots. Why not guide it to miss altogether? Maybe that is not as offensive because JP II survived and the observation was made years after the fact. I read a few years ago that a church burnt down after being hit by lightning (no injuries). After constantly hearing about how powerful and benevolent god is, I just had to laugh at that.

Obviously, I agree that there's nothing funny about murder.

[progressoid]

11. Easy

"The Lord moves in mysterious ways"

That answers all theological issues.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

30. There's a better one -

I'm sure it's a great comfort to the widow and those newly-fatherless kids:

"It's God's will."

Thanks a lot, God, for the crazy man who murdered that husband and father.

And all some can talk about is that the first bullet shattered a Bible. Not good enough. The guy died.

[Deep13]

31. Ah, don't find out...

...just be glad of our ignorance. Got it.

:eyes:

[AngryOldDem]

46. I've stopped asking that.

I now chalk it up to coincidence. That's really all it is.

It's like when people pray and pray and pray for an outcome, and if it comes through, glory be to God. When it doesn't, well...He must have had other ideas. Okay.

I stopped being satisfied with that answer a LONG time ago. When I get substantive answers to my questions rather than the tired, old spiritual pablum, maybe I'll listen.

[Mr. Hyde]

51. Do you think yourself so significant and advanced as to be above all else?

Are you so convinced of your own superiority that you can't believe that there might be something "out there" bigger than you are? If so, what evidence do you have to support such a belief? Given the immense size and complexity of the multiverse and our relative tininess, I think you would be hard pressed to support such an argument if you were inclined to make it. I think the real questions are, just what does this "God" want from us? and, does it behoove me to give him what he wants? For example, I want my yeast cells to make lots of alcohol but I know that, in the end, that alcohol is gong to kill most of the yeast cells. Never-the-less, that's what I want them to do and I make damn sure they're doing it whether they like it or even know it. Cuz I'm the Yeast God... and that's how I roll.

[Deep13]

72. You argument is illogical.

It presupposes the existence of what you seek to prove. The universe is evidence of the existence of the universe, not god. While there is obviously much that is bigger or more powerful than me, it does not mean those things have any intentionality behind them. In point of fact, the existence of god does not solve the problem of existence, but only complicates it by introducing an additional complexity that itself is inexplicable. To put it simply, who or what made god? Anyway, we are talking about the Christian god here specifically, one who supposedly answers prayers and protects his followers. You may thing of yourself as an expendable tool in divine hands if you want, though that seems like a very bleak existence to me. I want something better for humanity.

The burden of persuasion, as always, is on those claiming existence. It is not up to me to prove a negative. Rather, it is up to you to demonstrate some evidence of this supposedly all-pervasive, all powerful, yet wholy invisible deity. One would think that would be a pretty easy thing to do, yet no one has ever done it.

[Mr. Hyde]

76. No it isn't, but yours is.

"The universe is evidence of the existence of the universe, not god."
That wasn't my argument. My argument has always been that we haven't any idea how significant, complex, or advanced we humans are because we have no specimens of anything beyond our world (and our sense) with which to compare ourselves. It is an assumption that we are a higher life form in the first pace. While I don't discount the possibility that there is no God, I can not discount the possibility that there is a God. That would be illogical.

"In point of fact, the existence of god does not solve the problem of existence, but only complicates it by introducing an additional complexity that itself is inexplicable."
I never said it did. I only said that there is no evidence available at this time that will allow us to come to the conclusion that there is nothing more advanced than us in this multiverse and, furthermore, that given the size of the multiverse and our relative diminutiveness, it is difficult to make the argument that a lifeform much more advanced that us does not exist. Referring back to the sacromyces analogy, am I not God to the yeast cells floating around in my grape juice? Are they aware of me? Do they even really have a free will beyond the scope of my will? They will do as I wish whether they want it, know it, or believe it. They have no say in the matter. They have no purpose in this life other than to serve my will. They live because I made them live and they will die because I will kill them after they have fullfilled their destiny.
You can not compare humans to anything other than those organisms which we know of on this earth. We are, more than likely, the highest form of life on this earth; however, since we have no evidence of any organisms beyond this earth, we can't conclude that we are the highest form of life. To be more specific, given the vast size and complexity of the multiverse and our relatively ephemoral existence as a species we can not quantify our significance. We know that, on this planet, we are more advanced than the yeast cells but, in the grand scheme of things, we don't know how much or how little more advanced than those yeast cells. It seems logical that within the multiverse we are more advanced than some and less advanced than others by varying degrees in both directions. It seems illogical to casually conclude that there is nothing higher than us and that it is impossible that there is not now nor has there ever been a higher hand interfering with/guiding our destiny.


"You may thing of yourself as an expendable tool in divine hands if you want, though that seems like a very bleak existence to me. I want something better for humanity."
And you accuse me of being illogical? Who cares what you want? I want Miss. March to magically appear in my bedroom but that doesn't mean she will.

"The burden of persuasion, as always, is on those claiming existence. It is not up to me to prove a negative"
That's called the fallacy of complete bullshit; furthermore, I'm really not "claiming existence", I'm claiming that there is just as little evidence to support the non-existence of God as there is to support his/her/its existence. Put another way, I'm claiming that atheists who adamantly refuse to even acknowledge this possibility are just as closed minded and illogical as the bible thumpers they regularly accuse of being closed minded and illogical as Atheism is every bit as unsubstantiated and unprovable as Theism. It is only the agnostic that argues logically and with an open mind in this matter; hence, I am not illogical you are.

[Deep13]

77. Lack of evidence proves nothing.

You start at zero, not at "anything is possible." There may be thinking beings more advanced than us. Any such beings would necessarily be the end result of evolution and not the cause of it. There is no reason to believe there is an all-powerful intelligence running things, so it is premature to speculate about whether suck a god is possible. On the other hand, we know a great deal about how the human mind works and everything that makes people believe in god can be explained if that idea is wholly a human construct. Further, everything we know about the development of life precludes divine intervention. Genetic mutation is random, not directed by anything purposeful. This has been confirmed by experiment. Those changes are selected for survival solely by environmental conditions. So what is there for a god to do? Any interference would produce life that is different from what we see. What is more is that everything we have discovered--and that is quite a bit--shows a universe operated purely by naturalistic principals. So there really is a very strong evidentiary case for the nonexistence of god. If you don't believe that, you owe it to yourself to read some of the voluminous material printed on the subject.

You are not the god of yeast. You are a human who has learned how to manipulate a very simple critter. You are both the products of evolution. "God" has a very specific meaning and it has not escaped my notice that people who try to find rational explanations of god tend to change that definition to fit the analogy. God is a supernatural being that lives independently of the universe, but is free to intervene in it. God has intentionality, created the universe, cares about human conduct and sometimes answers prayer and performs miracles. What you describe maybe a a more complex (I would not say "higher") state of being, but it is not god.

While the universe does not answer to human desires, as you say, that was really not my point. Saying we are just tools in the hands of a callous god is a rationale to explain why a supposedly all-loving, all-powerful god allows massive suffering to occur. It is another argument that assumes the existence of what it is trying to prove.

[Mr. Hyde]

78. ____________

"There may be thinking beings more advanced than us. Any such beings would necessarily be the end result of evolution and not the cause of it"
Or both, which is to say, one does not preclude the other. Back to the yeast, I didn't create evolution nor did I create the yeast but I did place the yeast in an environment that would allow them to evolve along a path desirable to me. The yeast are placed in the juice. They take the sugar and use it as energy to facilitate reproduction. Then they contaminate their environment with their waste, alcohol. Those future generations of yeast will have to survive in an ever increasing concentration of poisin. Those yeast cells that carry genes conducive to this will survive. Those who carry genes that do not convey resistance to the alcohol will die. I didn't create them nor did I create evolution but, by exploiting my higher understanding of evolution, I caused the yeast to evolve along a path that was desirable to me and they never had a choice in the matter. I am their God. It's just a little joke but, in actuality, it is true. If you met an entity as far beyond us in advancement as we are to the yeast, you would call it God whether it meets your "supernatural being" definition or not (right after you shit yourself in fear).

"God has a very specific meaning and it has not escaped my notice that people who try to find rational explanations of god tend to change that definition to fit the analogy"
God means different things to different people clearly. Again, if he/she/it were as far beyond us in advancement as we are to the yeast, we would be incapable of comprehending he/she/it anyways let alone its reasons for doing whatever it does. The one common theme seems to be God "the creator". Did he create everything? Did he create something? Did he create nothing? Did he create us or did we, as you say, create him? Who knows? It's not really my intention to argue that but, if he did, I would want to know why. I think that would be a pretty big question and not something that should be casually filed under "more superstitious mumbo jumbo".

"What is more is that everything we have discovered--and that is quite a bit--shows a universe operated purely by naturalistic principals. So there really is a very strong evidentiary case for the nonexistence of god."

Non-sequitur. We have discovered a lot but that does not preclude the existence of "God" whatever he may be just like being the end product of evolution doesn't necessarily preclude causing evolution to occur. And, as far as naturalistic principles go, we have discovered a few laws that hold true under most circumstances but there is still much that we don't understand at this point. For example, we don't know if the universe is open or closed. We don't know if there are multiple universes. We don't know what the majority of the universe is composed of (dark matter). We don't know what lies beyond the detectable universe. We do know that the detectable universe is really really really really big (as in about 45 billion light years), bigger than our minds can easily comprehend).

"Saying we are just tools in the hands of a callous god is a rationale to explain why a supposedly all-loving, all-powerful god allows massive suffering to occur. It is another argument that assumes the existence of what it is trying to prove."
You are no more able to disprove the existence of God than I am able to prove his existence but that really isn't my intention anyways. I have merely argued (from the beginning) that we have no ability to measure our own significance or level of advancement within the universe and that because of this, we assume too much when we discount the possibility of an enity that is so much more advanced than us as to be considered by any rational mind, a God. Whether our existence can be contributed to such an entity is another matter; however, it is not a possibility that I would carelessly discount as superstitious nonsense considering the implications. I understand that you think I am foolish for these beliefs but I think you are the foolish one because, to quote Voltaire, "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd". You are so certain that you have it all figured out that you have closed your mind to possibilities and that has turned your belief system into a mental anchor. I am weighed down by neither doubt or certainty; therefore, I can see things from perspectives that remain hidden to you. You may be right but, then again, you may be wrong. From my point of view, either possibility is equally plausible.

[RedEarth]

5. Some of the posters on DU are absolutely sickening

[polmaven]

23. They are as obnoxious

as the right wing nut cases we all dislike so much are.

Edited to add....i'm now quite sure I wll be accused of bashing atheists.

[Raine]

70. I have to agree

I haven't seen the posts on this shooting but many times I've seen the same type here in DU over a tragedy that some seem to find hilarious because it involves religion etc. :mad:

[Number23]

71. Truth.

[Wickerman]

6. I have seen some of the most vile crap posted about this topic

that I have ever seen on DU. For a community of progressives some of the appalling shit on this site of late makes me long for the day when we had a common enemy.

Almost.

[Pacifist Patriot]

10. From what I have seen here I'm glad I missed the original story and discussion.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. The funny part is he's in front of Thor right now...

and Thor ain't happy about this whole "Jesus" thing.

[cherish44]

14. I'm disgusted by anyone who would joke about this tragedy

Some people are idiots

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

16. Thank you for posting this

No matter what you think of religion, there is a family grieving right now. Before posting, one might wish to think if they would say what they posted to their faces. That might be a good guide to determine whether or not it is worth it to hit "Post Message".

[baldingrockwarlord]

17. and, to that....

I agree....Would the good Pastor's family believe that a miracle has taken place here? Words mean something and to throw words like "miracle " around so loosely only opens one's self up to rebuttal.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

33. You've gotten to the nub of it, I believe

The use of words. Words are quite powerful, and it is wise to consider the repercussions of what you say.

[WildEyedLiberal]

19. The people using this to take cheap shots at churches/pastors are sickening

But nothing - NOTHING - no matter how appalling, disturbing, hateful, or in poor taste - surprises me about DU anymore.

If this had been a rabbi gunned down in a synagogue I wonder if all these sadistically gleeful comments would be allowed.

[baldingrockwarlord]

25. and likewise...

the folks who are using this story to propulgate their own religious faith and belief system upon the rest of us are equally appalling. This is a tragedy, not a miracle. Period. The minute someone introduced the words God and miracle into this story it became open season for rebuttal and rightfully so. No miracle in a man of the cloth being murdered in cold blood in front of the parish. Miracle? Insane!

[WildEyedLiberal]

35. I haven't seen anybody calling it a miracle

I mean, the poor man died, so where's the miracle? He instinctively held up the Bible to block the shots because it was the nearest shield he could find. The whole "OMG the bullet hit a Bible was it a miracle???" narrative is PURE MSM bilge. I haven't heard any actual people asserting such.

[tkmorris]

36. Just so

If you didn't have a problem with anyone referencing the Bible and calling it a miracle, or even suggesting that the incident was religiously relevant, you have no business criticizing those who mock it.

[cali]

40. uh, no it's not the same. not even close

those who believe it was a miracle and say so, are hardly pushing their faith on others. I agree that it's a tragedy and not a miracle, but believing that is not the same thing as making fun of this tragic death.

[JerseygirlCT]

58. Oh, we might find a few

"serves them right" posts on that, too. There are some virulent haters of Israel here, who have veered off the political into religious stereotyping there, too.

I don't understand what anyone could possibly find amusing in this. A brutal and impossible to understand act of murder. And there's something funny about it? Or justified?

[tammywammy]

26. recommended n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

28. What a disturbing thread.

Thank you for noticing.

[H2O Man]

29. Nominated.

Thank you.

There are a lot of disturbed people in the world.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

32. Looking at this thread,

I think a whole lot of people didn't understand your post.

Good try, though. It needed to be said. Well done.

:toast:

[Ocracoker16]

34. There are too many DU'ers who don't seem to care about the loss of human life

All these people care about is laughing at this story. They find it so humorous that a bible blocked a bullet. They are already jumping to conclusions about what happened. I hope people can recognize that there is something sad about the story. Someone died and left behind a family.

[Sheets of Easter]

38. I don't care what one's spiritual leanings may be, that is a sick thing to joke about.

[nichomachus]

41. It's almost as funny as

the Christians who are patting each other on the back for making my marriage a sham . . .

[11 Bravo]

44. I'm on your side in that respect. My brother is married to one of the finest men I know ...

at least he was until California said "not so fast". But that has nothing to do with the OP. A husband and a father was gunned down, and it is not cause for ridicule.

[nichomachus]

45. It's not, I agree

but the Christians have no trouble laughing at my situation -- that's all I was trying to point out. So, that door swings both ways.

[11 Bravo]

47. My point is that Christians at DU are NOT laughing at your situation.

To do so would result in an immediate and well-deserved granite pizza. But individuals RIGHT HERE AT DU are mocking the events surrounding the death of the pastor, and that is apparently fair game.
Before too long, this thread will probably be locked because "This has become a flame-fest", and those who turned it into a flame-fest will have achieved their desired result.

[omega minimo]

55. ding ding ding ding ding ding DING!!!!!!!

[Lars39]

74. Not just gunned down....gunned down in front of his wife and kids

and the rest of the congregation,comprised of various ages. :(

[camera obscura]

52. K&R. People on both sides are using this crime for their own ends and it's sick.

[MichaelHarris]

53. Somebody

croaked a skypilot?

[11 Bravo]

54. Cute.

"Somebody croaked a Hebe", or "Somebody croaked a raghead", would get you TSed, but you have this game all figured out.
And re-read the OP ... somebody croaked a husband and a father. I know it's OK because he was a Christian and all, but his widow and children probably have a different take than that evidenced by your oh so progressive musings.

[MichaelHarris]

63. you do know

that the phrase "sky pilot" has been acceptable to military men and women for about 75 years right? Since at least WWII. Sometimes being too defensive makes people look pretty stupid.

[Critters2]

65. As a "sky pilot", I'm glad to know what kind of compassion

I--or my surviving family, more aptly--would find on DU if some nutjob walks up the aisle of my sanctuary and shoots me next Sunday.

Which could happen, apparently.

[MichaelHarris]

66. could

happen to anyone, not just church guys.

[Critters2]

67. Indeed. But there was a time when I didn't even think about this.

Since the shootings in Tennesee and Maryville, I know more clearly that it could happen. Not that I'll do anything differently.

But it would be nice to think fellow DUers wouldn't find it amusing, if this were to happen.

[Bobbie Jo]

59. Good one...my 12 yr old lol'd.

Isn't it a school night? :eyes:

[MichaelHarris]

62. you do know

that the phrase "sky pilot" has been acceptable to military men and women for about 75 years right?

[Bobbie Jo]

73. Woooooosh.

Careful....the point nearly smacked you in the head.

[JerseygirlCT]

56. Yeah, exactly

There's just nothing funny about this at all.

[leftofthedial]

64. I'm going down to the gun sale at the church

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[asteroid2003QQ47]

69. It might be a 'Sign' that pastors should not preach about...

finding happiness in the workplace.
-----------------------------------------------

"Be happy in your work."
--Col. Saito,
The Bridge on the River Kwai

[tomreedtoon]

75. No, parishioner's reaction was the funniest part.

They allowed the guy to walk up, and that first bullet into the Bible, they thought was a "special effect."

See, many of the fundamentalists like to play little "dramas" that illustrate what they're preaching about. A Baptist church in my town, during their TV telecast, had a guy in a chicken suit come out as a "TV kiddie host" that led children to Satan. There was a guy named "Captain Hook" - an actual paraplegic biker who went all Christian - who did a kid show as a pirate captain who made sinning children "walk the plank." And can we ever forget that all-time fundamentalist failure to launch, the kid show "Bibleman"?

The parishioners thought their pastor was enlivening his sermon with a bit of amateur drama. Like all fundamentalists they have trouble differentiating fiction from reality, let alone respect the difference between them. THAT was the amusing part.