Most Inspiring Person of the Year 2006: The Amish of Nickel Mines, PA

[Sapphire Blue]

Beliefnet's Most Inspiring Person of the Year 2006: The Amish of Nickel Mines, PA

Why the Amish Won: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/206/story_20618_1.html

Watch the video @ http://www.beliefnet.com/av/popupplayer.aspx?v=1854

This year, Beliefnet's Most Inspiring Person award goes to the Amish of Nickel Mines, Pa. This small religious farming community, whose members do without cars and electricity, was invaded by 21st century violence when a gunman took over a one-room schoolhouse and shot 10 young girls, leaving five of them dead. One of the girls who was slain, Marian Fisher, reportedly offered to be killed first to spare the others. Within hours, despite their grief and loss, the Amish had extended forgiveness to the killer and reached out to help his widow and children. Beliefnet members were amazed by this example of radical forgiveness and voted overwhelmingly for the Amish....

http://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_914.html

[Dastard Stepchild]

1. I concur with the people of Beliefnet on this one...

It was a tremendous show of... I don't even know what to describe it.

[Sapphire Blue]

2. Radical forgiveness?

[demnan]

3. Real Christianity

I saw this once before. A 19 year old boy who lived on my street brutily murdered a girl of 18 with a fire place poker. The boy was mentally disturbed, his mother was devastated, she couldn't function. The family of the murdered girl somehow embraced her, she even started going to their church (her own shunned her). She was a widow and even met her next husband through that family and church community.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. I am so glad they are remembered this way

what a horrible tragedy and what lessons to be learned by the amish in this situation. They were they way we should be. They way they handled it and they way they conducted themselves should be a lesson for all of us.
I think part of the reason so many wanted to help and the media lingered was due to admiration. I do hope they know we were all touched by them and saddened for them and how much we admired them.

[bobbolink]

7. What a difference when people *live* their faith, rather than *preach* it, eh?

"I think part of the reason so many wanted to help and the media lingered was due to admiration"

I think you're right.

:toast: to the Amish.... ooooops... :)

[brer cat]

9. The world would be a much better place if more people

lived their faith, rather than preach it.

[mia]

5. Thanks for posting this. The Amish deserve this one! n/t

[jarab]

6. A deserved award. eom

...O...

[Sapphire Blue]

8. .

:kick:

[bobbolink]

10. one good kick deserves another

:kick: :kick: