Compassion and Love, Not Hate and Fear

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I posted the following on Facebook today, and I wanted to share it here, but I didn't think that any of the Lasto (or Bag End) threads were the proper place, so I thought I would be it here.

These are some of my thoughts about Saturday’s horrific shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. There has been a lot of talk about the resurgence of anti-Semitism since this shooting, and it is a valid topic to discuss. I have seen numerous statistics showing that reports of harassment of Jews have increased significantly in recent years (according to the anti-Defamation League reports of anti-Semitic incidents increased 60% from 2016 to 2017, the largest single-year increase on record and the second highest number reported since ADL started tracking incident data in the 1970s). However, this attack was not just an attack on Jews. What this was really was an attack on Compassion. Looking at the reports of statements by the perpetrator before and after (and even during) the shooting, it is clear that what he really hated about Jews the most was that they were giving aid to people that were in need, people that he considered his enemies. He was particularly incensed by the actions of a group called HIAS - the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. HIAS was formed over 130 years ago and was originally focused on helping Jewish refugees but in recent years has expanded its focus to assist needy refugees of all different religions from all over the world, Africa, Central America, the Middle-East, Asia, etc. As a Jew, and as an American, and most of all as a member of the vast, multi-faceted, infuriating, beauty-filled Human Race, I am proud to stand with anyone – no matter what race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs – who genuinely believes that Compassion and Love should prevail over Hate and Fear.

[Lalaith]

I have seen a few people saying that they were going to donate to HIAS, and I think that's a terrific idea.

[RoseMorninStar]

I find these times tragic.

Edited

[elengil]

I find these times tragic.

This is me, as well, in so many ways.

[Frelga]

People with "Christian" or "Catholic" in their profiles respond to a picture of an exhausted toddler with "What kind of person would do that to their child?" I'm badly tempted to reply "Literally Mary mother of Jesus" but I locked my Twitter to keep myself from picking up fights.

[RoseMorninStar]

elengil

Edited

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Please, please, please, please, please do not use this thread as a vehicle to criticize people.

Sent from my LG G6 using Tapatalk

[RoseMorninStar]

[Primula Baggins]

I would just say that there really are—really, still—Christians who practice what their religion preaches. Or try their best to do so.

Many of them do not put "Christian" in their profiles for the reason Frelga made clear. It isn't all of us, but these days we can't escape the stain.