Yes I do have compassion for Jim D. Adkisson.

[Pacifist Patriot]

This is the ultimate test of my religious faith and denominational principles. As difficult as it may be, in keeping with Unitarian Universalist principles and belief in "the inherent dignity and worth of every person" and "justice, equity, and compassion in human relations," I also keep the man who is responsible in my prayers and thoughts, as well as his family.

I can hardly understand what would drive someone to violate the sanctity of a place dedicated to love and justice. This man committed a horrific crime that desecrated what many consider inviolate--a house of worship. He forever changed the lives of many families, including his own. But I don't need to understand his actions to recognize a human being in great anguish.

My compassion does not exonerate him, nor does it lessen my shock at his acts or my sadness for TVUUC. I can barely begin to imagine the horror they endured and many will continue to endure in the days, months and years ahead.

The fear of violence against a UU church has been present for quite awhile. We have seen arson, vandalism and theft in our denomination because of our liberal beliefs. I have entertained the notion of someone interrupting one of our services when I am in the pulpit and it is not a comfortable feeling. We issued press releases when we unanimously and proudly became a Welcoming Congregation for the GLBT community, but proverbially sighed with relief when we were not subject to any public hatred as a result. However, I would not be surprised if I were met with verbal or physical resistance whenever one of my sermons relevant to GLBT issues are announced.

I do hold talk radio, Fox News, the likes of Coulter and Savage partly responsible. I also uphold their right to free speech. This is one of the reasons why my faith is so important to me and why I am called to preach in contrast to the Prosperity Theology packing the megachurches. Liberalism must have a voice and that voice must come from each and every one of us. Lies may be loud, but the truth is ultimately stronger.

I have compassion for anyone subjected to neoconservative and religious right wing propaganda. I feel deeply for anyone without the fortitude to face the reality of life with integrity and diligence. I am concerned for anyone unable to discern the truth and must engage in cognitive dissonance to function however crudely. They need our help, not our scorn.

Please don't hate or the conservatives have accomplished their goal. Adkisson came into the world the same way we all did. He was somebody's baby. He too has loved, felt pain and unfortunately was overcome by hatred. Consider what you can do to make sure the contagion of hatred does not infect you and anyone you meet. Tell the truth and find the capacity for compassion and forgiveness. They're the best weapons we've got.

Peace

[Taverner]

1. Playing armchair psychiatrist here

From the description "Life of the party one second - don't want to be around him the next" I thought Manic Depression.

Doesn't excuse what he did, but it puts things in context.

[Bluerthanblue]

22. if that were really true, we have an epidemic of

bi-polar disorder.

Possible, but not likely. Playing wing chair psy. in return, I tend to believe that people want to find a way to distance ourselves from the terrible reality that this man is 'everyman'- (potentially)- if we can class his actions as the result of some 'dis-ease' that keeps much of the population at large from feeling vulnerable to doing something as terrible as he did, then we somehow feel a bit of personal ...'comfort'- 'relief'- 'reassurance'.

The reality is, IMO- much closer to the OP's beautifully stated perspective. We are all potentially capable of committing acts equally disturbing- facing that truth, and responding to the man as a fellow human, (rather than a monster- or someone 'substantially different' than ourselves) helps to keep us from ever committing similar or worse actions in the future.

If we distance ourselves, we assume a kind of immunity- and that is when hatred can grow and flourish. I dare say Mr.Adkisson might not have been able to do what he did, if he saw those he was trying to kill as people just like him.


peace~

[Taverner]

30. I dunno - to obsess about something and take action in this way signifies they are out of touch...

With reality

Definition of insanity

He was evil, and fueled by the equally psychotic ramblings of madmen...and took action upon it.

But to say he was everyman is a bit of a jump.

[raccoon]

43. Definitely had a drinking problem. May have been bipolar too.

Lots of people who have mental illness self-medicate with alcohol and/or drugs.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. You are a better person than I. I hate CONservatives, what they have done and what they

*stand* for. I would never shoot any of them, though. :shrug: Can't find a job and a reduction in food stamps is no reason to shoot innocent people, many of whom, are probably in the same situation.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Amen, fellow UU

I wonder what factors shaped him over the years.
I also wonder if he was trying to hurt one of his ex-wives who is a member of that congregation.

I posted some comments about this earlier in the day: "Which congregation would Jesus shoot?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3689131

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. Rec'd your post. Good one!

[panader0]

4. I am not religious, but I am moral. I think "Thou shalt not kill"

is number one and "Thou shalt not steal" is two. But I have no compassion for this guy. Some people have faulty wiring.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. "'Some people have faulty wiring."

Which is the very reason why, I, a fellow "not religious" person, has compassion for the guy.

There are far too many people who have little to no respect for science in general and psychiatry in particular to (a) recognize the symptoms of a person with mental illness and (b) acknowledge where real and effective help can be found.

If people could actually do (a) and (b) fewer veterans would be homeless and committing suicide.

The stigma and fear of mental illness is only one of the obstacles to help, the bigger one is the lies people believe about psychiatry.

[LostinVA]

5. You're better than me -- I hope the sociopath never gets out of a jail cell

On a lighter note: I had a dream the other night that Haruka and I had another wedding (I have no idea why) and you were our officiant again. There was a huge tent and a camel was there. Again, I have no idea why. You had on a long white and black robe.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. I may have compassion for him, but I certainly do not want to see him out of jail ever again.

Okay, that's a weird dream. Did you know I have ridden a camel? In Morocco. Smelly beasts they are too. Well if you ever renew your vows I'm there!

[LostinVA]

12. It's why I couldn't do what you do

We had watched the new Antgony Bourdain two evenings earlier and he was in Saudi Arabia and camels were involved. Maybe that's it. Hopefully, the camel wasn't the wedding feast!!!!!

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. Okay, can't say I've eaten any camel nor am I likely to, but...

supposedly the couscous had goat eyes in it. *shrug*

[johnfunk]

36. At least it wasn 't tobacco company product placement!

[LostinVA]

42. My wife does smoke Camel Lights

Hmmm...

[Pacifist Patriot]

44. Hmmmm indeed. Off to Freud with you.

[Ilsa]

7. I have more feelings for him than I do about

Robert Novak right now. Maybe Novak's behavior was part of his tumor, but somehow, it doesn't seem accurate to blame his behavior on the tumor.

Maybe Adkisson was mentally ill and was driven to murder. I dunno. I suppose he'll get his just desserts.

But I haven't been able to muster any sympathy for Novak. I don't intend to slam him or piss on his grave. But I just don't care that he's sick. Especially when he stood up for these rightwingers who don't give a damn about sick and poor people having medical care.

[Pacifist Patriot]

I certainly have more compassion for the recipients of the message than the messengers.

Folks like Novak have no excuse for not knowing any better.

[ulysses]

8. it was pointed out to me today

that the greatest irony of this would be Adkisson receiving the death penalty while a group of anti-DP Unitarians hold a vigil outside.

[Pacifist Patriot]

10. I could see that happening. Does TN have the DP?

[Speck Tater]

9. Hate mongers on the radio have made liberals the scapegoats for everything.

in exactly the same way that Hitler made the Jews scapegoats for everything.

Their purpose is to create as much hatred and discord as possible in order to tear America apart. They are traitors to America in every sense of the word.

[Ilsa]

16. Yep. There was even a brief segment about this sort of hatred

that hit fictitional tv drama last year. In the show, a post-nuclear town is trying to survive while new governments are being created, and the equivalent of KBR and Blackwater are trying to take over half the country. Part of what they do is rewrite history, saying the US of post-WW2 was weak and decadent and not "strong enough". The point was to scapegoat the peacemakers, liberals, etc.

[Warpy]

11. I would far rather see him than be him

and that's the beginning of compassion, for me.

[hatrack]

13. You're a better person than I am, PP - and I congratulate you for that!

:toast:

[rosesaylavee]

18. Amen.

The supreme worth of every human individual. Very hard to follow my faith today - but I know its the right way.

K & R

[Canuckistanian]

19. I see you hold your UU convictions proudly

And in a way I find it to be much like aboriginal beliefs.

Don't immediately blame others for faults. Find out what went wrong and try to fix it by looking at the root causes of unhappiness be it social, mental or economic or spiritual. And do it all with a view towards maintaining harmony in the community at large.

I tend not to be so charitable in cases like these.

But I'm glad for your compassionate view.

[stevedeshazer]

20. You've chosen to take the higher road to peace and understanding

I try for that every day and don't always succeed, and maybe you won't either. But from your words, I know you will try.

Forgiveness is often hard to reach, as I know in my own life.

Yet, still you hold compassion for Mr. Adkisson. That's the spirit.

Peace to you, friend, and to all of us.

[nam78_two]

21. Great post-I am all the more determined to join the UUC

You set a fine example for your congregation.

[LostinVA]

23. She's even made my conservative Dad think about joining his local UU

He even voted for a DEM in the NC primary this year. The world may be ending.

:scared:

[nam78_two]

24. Lol

Thats excellent :toast:. I have always liked the UUS-they seem very accepting and kind.

[LostinVA]

28. She and Lynnesin DID get rowdy at the reception

[Pacifist Patriot]

29. Stopped short of table dancing though.

[nam78_two]

35. I wish I could have you officiate at my wedding

I am getting married next month and we are having a rather sedate and cantakerous judge :0). I think he is a teetotaller :scared:.

[Pacifist Patriot]

39. I adore officiating weddings. On August 8 I will officiate my 75th wedding.

I'm guess I'll have 90 before the end of the year. I get to meet such beautiful people when they are at their happiest. What an honor and a joy!!

[Bluerthanblue]

25. oh, so

beautifully said- and so true.

This UCC'er k&r's your post, and your words of peace healing and encouragement.


:grouphug:

[JustAnotherGen]

26. Thanks you!

I've posted to two other threads - A Fellow Potluck Supper Lover here! :-) - AKA UU.

I do hold talk radio, Fox News, the likes of Coulter and Savage partly responsible. I also uphold their right to free speech. This is one of the reasons why my faith is so important to me and why I am called to preach in contrast to the Prosperity Theology packing the megachurches. Liberalism must have a voice and that voice must come from each and every one of us. Lies may be loud, but the truth is ultimately stronger.

I have compassion for anyone subjected to neoconservative and religious right wing propaganda. I feel deeply for anyone without the fortitude to face the reality of life with integrity and diligence. I am concerned for anyone unable to discern the truth and must engage in cognitive dissonance to function however crudely. They need our help, not our scorn.

Please don't hate or the conservatives have accomplished their goal. Adkisson came into the world the same way we all did. He was somebody's baby. He too has loved, felt pain and unfortunately was overcome by hatred. Consider what you can do to make sure the contagion of hatred does not infect you and anyone you meet. Tell the truth and find the capacity for compassion and forgiveness. They're the best weapons we've got.


Well said. They need our scorn - and yes - our compassion.

I'm sooooo glad I don't think like THAT. That my beliefs don't lead me to cause harm to others.

I really hope that congregation can heal.

In the meantime, I have to say that I knew I could come to DU and find support for us tonight.

And your right - only . . . I think it was only a matter of time. Did you see what happened at the UU Church in Rochester last year? That's the church that I 'converted' to although I live in NJ now. First it's destroying a flag to welcome and include our church members who or LGBT . . . what's next? KWIM?

I guess this was it. :-(

[EFerrari]

27. We have so little to defend against hatred and violence

Let's not forget our best counter. Outrage, horror, fear and anger are attendant when we hear of these events, witness them or feel them. But our reactions don't have to be our responses.

May we do better.

:hug:
:grouphug:

[Pacifist Patriot]

31. Great words to live by, "Our reactions don't have to be our responses." Excellent!

[JustAnotherGen]

32. Ditto

Pacifist Patriot! :hug:

[Sanctified]

33. Well said, we should all practice forgiveness and compassion.

This guy clearly needs help and I hope he finds it, I also hope that those who were hurt by him can find forgiveness for him so they themselves may heal.

[Postman]

34. Fuck him and every god damned rightwing fascist that breathes.

The criminal assholes that spew the bullshit this nitwit embraced need to go take a flying leap from a high place and land on very hard surface with no parachute.

Fuck them.

[tavalon]

37. Thank you for that

It also reminds me that I've been meaning to go to a UU for some time. I miss the fellowship of a congregation having been raised Southern Baptist. But having started thinking independently at a young age, continuing to be a Southern Baptist just wasn't in the cards. My seven years in a wonderful coven was nice but now that I've moved to the great NW, I haven't found another coven that works for me. But, off and on, I've gone to UU churches and loved it. The pastor in the one we went to in Austin was an activist extraordinaire and he liked to do sermons with a comparative religion spin and as a Joseph Campbell fan, I really dig that.

I shall research where the closest one to here is. Thanks for the reminder and again, for the sentiment of forgiveness. It's especially hard at this time and those who can offer it are truly great beings.

[Pacifist Patriot]

38. Wasn't Rev. Davidson Loehr was it?

[tavalon]

40. yes, it was

He was magnificent. We were there for a sermon about fascism. It was the most powerful thing I've ever had come from a pulpit.

[FloridaJudy]

41. Amen.

This is a seriously sick and suffering human being. At the same time, I hope he never sees the outside of a cell again.

But when we hate, they win.