Christian music star's daughter, 5, killed by brother's SUV
Associated Press
Originally published 06:39 a.m., May 22, 2008
Updated 08:40 a.m., May 22, 2008
Photo by Associated Press
This undated family handout provided by the Chapman family shows from left to right: Will Franklin, Maria, Steven Curtis, Shaoey, MaryBeth, Stevey Joy, Caleb, and Emily Chapman. The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman, Maria Sue, was struck and killed by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was hit and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.
The girl, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.
"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.
Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
In a statement, Velvet Kelm, a publicist for Chapman, said Maria was the Chapmans' youngest daughter.
Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children.
The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.
The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site.
"We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'
The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father titled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess."
He has won five Grammy awards and 54 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to Kelm.
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May 22, 2008
7:23 a.m.
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BamaDave writes:
My prayers go out to the Chapman Family.
May 22, 2008
8:11 a.m.
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NewSanit writes:
It's very sad and heart breaking to lose a child. God be with you and your family. I lost two grandchildren and it hurts everyday, forever.
May 22, 2008
8:15 a.m.
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AWM writes:
Very sad.
May 22, 2008
8:18 a.m.
nobodyman writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 22, 2008
8:26 a.m.
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freethought writes:
How does god let this happen to his(her) biggest supporters?
May 22, 2008
8:33 a.m.
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alwaysright writes:
It's a sad thing that happened for sure.
Have the authorities Questioned the S U V ?
May 22, 2008
8:42 a.m.
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momof5 writes:
Some of you people are absolutely pathetic. Is that all you have to do with your boring little lives is make ridiculous and rude comments. A child is dead. Killed in an accident by her brother. Take a rest. Your stupidity and lack of class is showing.
May 22, 2008
8:44 a.m.
Froward69 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 22, 2008
8:58 a.m.
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mkars writes:
I heard Mr Chapman on KLove and how much he loved his daughter. My heart goes out to the family and I am sorry for your loss. (Lord cover these posts, keep off the attacks on the family and anyone else who shares your love, Thank you Father)
May 22, 2008
8:59 a.m.
freethought writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 22, 2008
9:05 a.m.
nobodyman writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 22, 2008
9:06 a.m.
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davies writes:
freethought: God hopes that some of us will come to understand that if life were always fair, what would be the point? I pray and expect that in the end, all the Chapman family will still feel there lives were blessed, all in all.
That's right, froward: Never pass up a chance to try to stir up partisan hatred.
May 22, 2008
9:13 a.m.
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freethought writes:
Life is never fair, give me one example. god must be an unfair and unjust god. Huh?
May 22, 2008
9:28 a.m.
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Froward69 writes:
davies, I feel for Mr. Chapman, as I feel for victims of 9-11 and New Orleans.
I am just pointing out neo-con, Christian, conservative Hypocrisy.
Theocratic ideology that picks and chooses whom or what to care about.
May 22, 2008
9:32 a.m.
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SeaBass writes:
Looks like the next single just wrote itself.
May 22, 2008
9:38 a.m.
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nobodyman writes:
I still fail to see the importance of singling out the class of vehicle in the headline. I guess the news companies can't go wrong by throwing "SUV" into every headline.
May 22, 2008
9:40 a.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"Looks like the next single just wrote itself."
How insensitive! Expect your comment to be removed by sensitive, easily offended Christians. After all, this wasn't a black or Mexican kid who died, it's time to care and be compassionate!
May 22, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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Roxie07 writes:
My heart goes out to the Chapman family. I pray god gives them direction as they go thru their lives everyday.
May 22, 2008
10:08 a.m.
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davies writes:
Froward: A little girl is accidentally killed, and you are "just pointing out neo-con, Christian, conservative Hypocrisy.
Theocratic ideology that picks and chooses whom or what to care about."
Yeah, thanks; that's just what is called for in this situation. Give yourself a pat on the back.
May 22, 2008
10:25 a.m.
Ztliano writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 22, 2008
10:36 a.m.
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Froward69 writes:
davies, one has to hit rock bottom to fully realize the error of ones ways.
Mr Chapman will never fully recover from this tragic event, especially, neither will his Son. I just hope they can learn to cope with it. find solace in God or friends or remaining family. I hope they are loving enough to not place blame where it does not belong.
so I hope they do not consult John Hagee.
May 22, 2008
10:48 a.m.
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steel writes:
Froward... nice back-pedal form. You still have a footprint on your tongue.
May 22, 2008
10:56 a.m.
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nobodyman writes:
Yeah, had it been me I wouldn't have backpedaled. No foot has ever been in my mouth because I mean what I say, no matter how people with no sense of humor may feel.
May 22, 2008
10:59 a.m.
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steel writes:
nobody, your parents must be so proud...
May 22, 2008
11:03 a.m.
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Froward69 writes:
no back pedal, same opinion as 8:44 and 9:28 a.m.
May 22, 2008
11:08 a.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"nobody, your parents must be so proud..."
Wow you got me. I make no apologies for speaking my mind. I may seem rude, but to me everyone who's always nice all the time is full of it. I don't have time to blow smoke 24/7, pandering to those who go out of their way to be offended by everything. Why bother?
May 22, 2008
11:20 a.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
nobodyman
You have picked an accurate moniker. You truly are nobody. Your not sad, or pathetic. You are willfully ignorant, and completely lacking in sense. Thereby rendering you utterly without a sense of humor. There is no humor in the death of an innocent! There could, however, be humor in witnessing nobodyman's posts disappear into no-where-land right along with him.
May 22, 2008
11:24 a.m.
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freethought writes:
4,000 children orphaned by earthquake in China. Nobody cares. Evangelist dies in accident, the nation mourns. Petty American values.
May 22, 2008
11:28 a.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
freethought
What have you done to help children in China?
May 22, 2008
11:39 a.m.
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thelizard writes:
freethought;
Each child taken from an orphanage is a gift of life, as significant as birth itself. Because a famous person's child dies in a horrible accident and we hear about it doesn't mean we care more about that child then about the children in China that died or lost their parents in an earthquake.
Tell me about your superior "American values". Have you adopted? Do you support an orphanage or an orphan, monetarily.
May 22, 2008
11:43 a.m.
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davies writes:
nobody: You don't backpedal because no one can find you on this forum. Some of us try to write only what we feel we would say to someone's face.
You're a no-holds-barred kind of fighter, as long as you're in the ring by yourself.
May 22, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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Steph writes:
Guess they must have let "Jesus Take the Wheel."
Seriously, if you pray to God for her and the family, wouldn't it have been better if God prevented this from happening?
May 22, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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freethought writes:
Posted by Devil_Dog "What have you done to help children in China?"
Well, I said my own little prayer and it did ever so much to help all children, yes, I just sent in a little reminder to god that he should be nice to all the little children, be they white, be they black, be they whatever... and I said a little prayer for their families to have comfort in these trying times. NOT!!!
May 22, 2008
11:50 a.m.
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thelizard writes:
<>After all, this wasn't a black or Mexican kid who died, it's time to care and be compassionate!<>,
No, the child was Chinese..therefore what?
May 22, 2008
11:54 a.m.
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davies writes:
lizard: Hey that's right! OH THE IRONY!!!
May 22, 2008
11:58 a.m.
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bubbles writes:
God watches over His Children and the Chapmans' are His Children. In the Bible God says "I will curse those who curse you" so you better watch what you say.......
May 22, 2008
12:24 p.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
Freethought
Just as I suspected YOU DID NOTHING. All you are capable of is denegrating other people and their beliefs. Because you are empty inside and have nothing to offer to the world but grief, you think others are like you. Until you can actually do some good for someone other than yourself, do the world a favor and shut your pie-hole about such matters.
May 22, 2008
12:37 p.m.
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kathyM writes:
freethought, The RMN should change your handle to nothought...for obvious reasons.
May 22, 2008
12:38 p.m.
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Steph writes:
Hey, bubbles, I take you only have nice things to say about gays and Democrats since a REAL Christian would never demean another one of god's creatures.
May 22, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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freethought writes:
Okay, DevilDog, I can tell that you are right there with rescue relief. What have you done? I'll bet that you have helped with the cyclone victims in Burma, also. Seems you would be more like the protestors at a fallen soldiers funeral. Please, keep it to yourself as to how righteous you are when you don't know me or my contributions. Oh, and by the way, praying cannot be seen as assisting the needful.
May 22, 2008
12:47 p.m.
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freethought writes:
kathyM, perhaps you don't understand the meaning of freethought, or original thought for that matter. Have you ever had a thought that was not dictated by your boundaries (religion)?
Oh, by the way, I was adopted and it doesn't always mean for the better.
Steph, I appreciate your input, but for some reason they would rather attack me than you. Any thoughts as to why?
May 22, 2008
12:49 p.m.
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Steph writes:
Don't know freethought. They probably can't come up with answers to my questions.
May 22, 2008
12:53 p.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
freeofthought
My wife and I have adopted a little girl from China. We are in the process of adopting another child from China. We have given to www.chinesechildren.org/ to aid in the rebuilding of orphanages and to help support the children. But this does not make us better that anyone else, it just makes us part (a very small part) of the solution. You on the other hand are just part of the problem.
"Seems you would be more like the protestors at a fallen soldiers funeral. Please, keep it to yourself as to how righteous you are when you don't know me or my contributions. Oh, and by the way, praying cannot be seen as assisting the needful."
Considering the fact that I am the fifth generation of my family to serve in the US Marine Corps, several of whom have fallen in battle defending this great nation, the above statement (a quote of your last post about me) is (like you) asinine.
May 22, 2008
1 p.m.
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mis_kia79 writes:
To be absent in the body, is to be present with the Lord. Please know that God did not let this happen. Unfortunantly, the battle that we are in is spiritual and believe it or not, we all have a spiritual enemy that wants to see us suffer. The closer a family is to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the stronger the enemy attacks. God Bless the family and God heal her brother, Im sure this is something that he will never forget.
May 22, 2008
1 p.m.
Suggest removal
mis_kia79 writes:
To be absent in the body, is to be present with the Lord. Please know that God did not let this happen. Unfortunantly, the battle that we are in is spiritual and believe it or not, we all have a spiritual enemy that wants to see us suffer. The closer a family is to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the stronger the enemy attacks. God Bless the family and God heal her brother, Im sure this is something that he will never forget.
May 22, 2008
1:11 p.m.
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freethought writes:
Right now Devil_Dog, although I hate to say it, you have put yourself in some peoples minds in the same category as Madonna and Angelina/Brad. Your own little "no child left behind" program.
I appreciate what you are doing and I have never said that it was a bad thing. I agree with your wanting to help in that way, but you are a minute fraction of what the rest would do.
But, and you might agree with me, that not all who adopt children are good people. Some do it selfishly, wheather to satisfy something that they feel lacking in there own lifes. They shop for the "right" baby/child. They want to choose the sex, heritage, color or want to buy a teenage girls misfortunate accident. They do it to "save" marriages. But not all do it for the benefit of the child. I know, I have been there.
May 22, 2008
1:28 p.m.
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thelizard writes:
<>Right now Devil_Dog, although I hate to say it, you have put yourself in some peoples minds in the same category as Madonna and Angelina/Brad. Your own little "no child left behind" program.<>
IYO would kids that have been adopted out of orphanages, since that is the subject here, been better off staying in the orphanage? Or what are you saying here?
May 22, 2008
1:32 p.m.
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thelizard writes:
<>They probably can't come up with answers to my questions.<>
Steph, the answers to what questions? Your assertion that Chrisitans can't say nice things about Gays and Democrats or some such a profound statment?
May 22, 2008
1:34 p.m.
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Devil_Dog writes:
Freethought
I myself was adopted, as were my brother and sister (no blood relation). My adoptive father is related to me by blood, a cousin of his gave me up for adoption (she was not married and too young to raise a child). My brother and sister were added to the family later. My younger brother had Muscular Dystrophy and my little sister (who is fine now) had severe ear problems. Has my wife and I did my parents adopted out of a desire to have children and provide a loving home. My adoptive mother had to pregnancy problems early in their marriage and could not have children. My wife and I just thought that there are enough children with out a good home that we could provide one for one or two of them instead of having our own biological children. I love my daughter more than anything in this world and would do anything to see she has a good life, that is what any father should do adoptive or not.
If anyone has a problem with the choices I or anyone in my family have made they have not had the courage to tell me to my face.
But sadly I have to agree with you that there are people out there that are only thinking of themselves when they do what might be otherwise considered a good deed.
May 22, 2008
1:43 p.m.
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davies writes:
h_jude: I think maybe when he played his record backwards, he heard YOU telling him to do it.
May 22, 2008
1:43 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"You're a no-holds-barred kind of fighter, as long as you're in the ring by yourself."
Pot, meet kettle? You don't know me. I'm just as blunt, if not more so, in person. Of course I have no way to prove this so I guess you win this internet discussion. Good job. But don't forget, I'm not the only one who has anonymity here. You do too, which is probably why you're making assertions about me that I highly doubt you'd make to anyone in person.
Devil_Dog, if I'm a nobody, why'd you take the time to reply? The truth is that if it doesn't ruffle some feathers it's probably not worth saying. This wouldn't be much of a discussion if everyone just said, "My prayers go out to the Chapman Family." BORING.
May 22, 2008
2:04 p.m.
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davies writes:
Nobody: Your point is valid of course. But it seemed kind of lame to boast of your boldness in an anonymous forum. Thanks.
May 22, 2008
2:12 p.m.
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NativeDenver writes:
nobodyman, what exactly is that you expect to "discuss" in a news report about the death of a 5-year-old???
It seems to me that "My prayers go out to the Chapman family" is all that needs to be said.
May 22, 2008
2:15 p.m.
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MGD writes:
I feel terrible for the family.
I also feel sad that anyone is calloused enough to use this to tragedy make jokes or anti-anything statments. What a cowardly way to make your point.
And yes, I would say that to your face with no hesitation.
May 22, 2008
2:20 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
I suppose using the anonymous nature of this forum to discredit someone or otherwise accuse them of being a coward is just as lame then. But I don't remember necessarily boasting of my boldness. I said I was blunt and/or speak my mind as a general rule. Sometimes this isn't easy, obviously.
May 22, 2008
2:21 p.m.
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Steph writes:
thelizard. Look farther back in the thread. Geez, what an idiot. One of my questions is: "Wouldn't it have been better if God loved this girl to prevent the accident?" What good is praying going to do now?
May 22, 2008
2:26 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"nobodyman, what exactly is that you expect to "discuss" in a news report about the death of a 5-year-old???"
Well, as I pointed out, the headline first off. Nationally the headline contained the word "car", the Rocky Mountain News chose to specify SUV. I think that's worth some criticism as it has nothing to do with anything.
Secondly I do find it funny that while people see this as a tragedy, they'd be a bit more cynical if this was a child killed in the ghetto during a drug deal gone wrong. I've seen it happen. I suppose that was the parents fault for being scummy drug dealers. But then I have to question the parenting of someone who hands the keys to a Land Cruiser over to a teenager and then allows them to drive it where the younger children may be playing. Why didn't the teenager pay more attention? Why was the 5-year-old in the driveway? Perhaps not appropriate or necessary questions to ask at this point but it does add perspective when compared to the way people acted when the scummy drug dealer's daughter died- as if they deserved it.
May 22, 2008
2:45 p.m.
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NativeDenver writes:
All right, fair enough, nobodyman. Those are all legitimate things to discuss in a case like this. Not that I've seen anyone discussing them. I'm mostly seeing people bashing other people's beliefs or making "jokes" at the bereaved family's expense.
May 22, 2008
2:49 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
Oh, wait: I think I figured it out.
We should not care about the news report on this child because the celebrity involved is a CONSERVATIVE.
But, we should moan and groan regarding the news report of Kennedy's illness (although THOUSANDS of other people quietly get some form on cancer every year) because he's a LIBERAL celebrity. Therefore, he's WORTHY of our concern.
Well, if nobody minds, I'll pray for both families, equally ...
May 22, 2008
2:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
nobodyman writes:
Kennedy? That's what he gets for killing that girl!
If nobody minds I'm not praying for anyone. What good would it do anyway? Prayer isn't going to bring the dead girl back and it's not going to cure Ted's cancer. What's the point, exactly? How does your prayer help the Chapman family? They're grieving and as far as I know prayer won't take the pain away, nor would they want it to. Or are you merely doing it for your own well being? Prayer is stupid. This is not an anti-religious sentiment, it's an anti-doing-things-that-are-pointless sentiment. Good luck with your prayer though, hopefully it makes you feel better about your loss.
May 22, 2008
3:04 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
"Kennedy? That's what he gets for killing that girl!"
Interesting. So ... what are you saying? That you're expressing a belief in some sort of Karma? Goods deeds net good things in life, and vice-versa? So, you think there's some "power out there" monitoring these activities and making sure they come out even?
Talk about faith! I wish I had yours!
May 22, 2008
3:04 p.m.
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hikingartist writes:
Posted by nobodyman on May 22, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nationally the headline contained the word "car", the Rocky Mountain News chose to specify SUV. I think that's worth some criticism as it has nothing to do with anything.
The SUV designation is an issue nobody-man. I read newspapers all over the country and a child getting run over in their own drive way happens about once a week, and mostly it is an SUV due to their limited visibility below the drivers sight line. Not that it matters to the owners, who probably bought one because "they are safer". If CDC collected info on this, I believe there is an overwhelming number of SUV related to these "drive way" deaths, and I suspect a sharp spike in their occurance, correlating to the spike in the SUVs popularity.
However I recall the Bush admin politicized the CDC at the request of the NRA and quit posting gun-related injuries and fatalities; I wouldn't be surprised if SUV related deaths have been removed at the request of the US automakers lobby.
May 22, 2008
3:15 p.m.
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Steph writes:
It's not that we don't care because it is a CONSERVATIVE child. You're missing the point. Some of us are just wondering what good any prayer will do now. Apparently, if "god" didn't want the girl to be killed at such a young age and in such a terrible way, he would have prevented it. Christers have absolutely know grasp of logic.
May 22, 2008
3:15 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"Interesting. So ... what are you saying? That you're expressing a belief in some sort of Karma? Goods deeds net good things in life, and vice-versa? So, you think there's some "power out there" monitoring these activities and making sure they come out even?
Talk about faith! I wish I had yours!"
Where did I express a belief or faith in a self balancing system? Quite the contrary. Not enough people get repayment for their deeds, good or bad. If that were the case we'd have no need for a justice system, we could just wait for punishment to be doled out by the "power out there." Obviously that is unrealistic. "Karmatic Justice" is merely coincidence, but that doesn't mean I can't be ammused by it when it's well placed!
May 22, 2008
3:21 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
Steph & Nobodyman,
I am taking your comments seriously. Before I answer your last posts, I have one other quick question: do you think all religions are nonsense, or just Christianity? Your response will make a difference in my response to you.
May 22, 2008
3:24 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"and mostly it is an SUV due to their limited visibility below the drivers sight line."
This is true, however if people were more observant in general- better drivers- then it wouldn't be an issue. Any good driver would scan their entire yard for children before even pulling into the driveway. I suspect the Chapman's had a long driveway and that the child would have been visible if the teenager was paying attention. I am guessing this accident would've occurred no matter what he was driving. Just an assumption based on having at one time been a careless, self absorbed teenager.
What you can't deny is that the Rocky Mountain News inserted "SUV" into the headline to manipulate everyone. Not that I don't think SUVs are idiotic things to buy and drive, it's that it's become somewhat of buzzword in the news these days.
May 22, 2008
3:31 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
"I am taking your comments seriously. Before I answer your last posts, I have one other quick question: do you think all religions are nonsense, or just Christianity? Your response will make a difference in my response to you."
I think there is some room for a reasonable level of spirituality and faith. I have no problem with any religion, although I find any fundamentalists to be misguided and disturbing. I like Christ but I tend not to like Christians. Christianity is not the problem. The narrow minded, elitist, often fascist among you are. But this goes for any religion. Jews, Muslims and Christians seem to have a problem with anything beyond grudging acceptance. If someone is a good person I wish all the best to them, they're probably a better person than me, and I tend not to judge the worth of a person on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and etc. I think that's the difference between me and a lot Christians (and other religious folks), they judge everyone harshly based on the least important things and then treat them accordingly.
May 22, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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Steph writes:
P_Denver. I believe all man-made religions are dangerous and wrong. Some are not as violent as others and some are not. Either way, because the religions are created by imperfect Man, they eventually end up causing more harm than good. I can only say that, like corporations, they end up using ignorance of their constituents in order for more power for things that are usually diometrically opposed to the tenents that they teach. The only exception, I believe, is the Amish.
May 22, 2008
3:42 p.m.
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nobodyman writes:
Steph, I don't think more intolerance is the answer. You sound every bit as fundamentalist as anyone. A fundamentalist atheist. Who knew?
May 22, 2008
3:49 p.m.
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freethought writes:
Gee, Steph, I was working on a great answer and you did it before I had the chance. "Dangerous" is a key word here, for if religions are to continue to spread their hate and destruction then there is possibly no hope. All the praying in the world has not delivered one response. I know, many believe in miracles, I do not, haven't seen one and doubt that I ever will. What I do see is an increase daily in which religion tells its faithful of it's bias and conceived foes. People are hurt because of these ancient follies and few are actually helped. If you want to help the world, get off your knees and spend that time actually doing something for someone else. No amen!!!
May 22, 2008
3:51 p.m.
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freethought writes:
Oh and by the way, what religion is not man-made?
May 22, 2008
3:55 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
nobodyman,
I wish we could talk face to face sometime. Some of the things you say intrigue me; other things require more dialog. You sound interesting.
I am a Christian, but I don't think of myself as very far to the right (as I've said in other posts, I have voted Democratic almost as often as Republican). I don't have a problem with abortion in cases of rape or incest. I am also for the death penalty. I am also on the side of "free will" versus "predestination."
But, specifically, as to prayer: I choose to believe Jesus actually lives and listens to prayers. He doesn't always answer them the way we want, or even understand. I can live with that. I assume if there is a Creator God out there he must have an IQ way higher than mine. So, however He answers is good. I may not like it, but it's still good.
Do I understand why He would choose to take a child in such a manner? No, I don't. Will prayer bring the child back? No, it won't. Might He answer a prayer in support of the family? Well, He might. There's certainly no harm in it, and it just might help.
No harm, that is, if you don't count annoying other people.
May 22, 2008
3:56 p.m.
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mrNiceGuy writes:
Wow, even on a tragic story about a little life lost the RMN comment committee has to go and spew ignorance and insults that they are so anxious to vomit all over the comment boards. Sad.
I cannot imagine the heartache felt when a child's life is lost & the guilt that the poor brother must be feeling. They're lucky to have faith (whether we believe in a god ourselves or not) to give them some optimism to help the family through such a tragedy.
May 22, 2008
4:06 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
Steph,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
I agree with you – over-zealous religions are dangerous. All of them. Christianity’s skirts are no cleaner than anyone else’s.
But . . . and here’s the topic of discussion: most people who pray are not practicing that sort of religion. They are simply expressing their faith in a higher power. They’re not trying to take over the world, nor are they even trying to make converts. They just want to share their faith within their worship bodies.
Yes, yes --- there are radicals out there who get most of the attention. But for every loudmouth there are thousands of quiet, peaceful people who would never even think of criticizing you for your own personal beliefs.
So my bottom line is: simply because people say in a posting that they are praying for peace in someone’s life does not automatically make them over-the-top zealots. They are simply expressing in a sincere, heart-felt way their concern for the pain of another human, regardless of religious affiliation. And – they should be respected for it, not criticized.
May 22, 2008
4:26 p.m.
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bblessings writes:
P_Denver, thank you!! Well-said...