Modern Lessons From Modest People

This past week, the most humble group of people I have ever known continually challenged and humbled me. I learned lessons this week from the examples the Amish set. Currently enrolled in "Ethics in the way of Jesus," "Topics in Theology: Vengeance and God," and "Theater and Justice," my classes have spent the semester wrestling with the realities of violence, nature, and faith. The latter two have especially delved into the realms of justice, injustice, and how society is to balance itself when infractions occur. So far the answers have been elusive, in part as a result of the demands of modern understandings of the topics. We frame our discussions, no matter how revolutionary we hope them to be on the chassis of modern civilization. That is to say, no matter the way we view how the world should change, generally the changes we imagine still end up creating a system of laws and desired order whose main goals include ever pursuing higher achievement.

As a side note, I grew up in Lancaster County. I have interacted with the Amish in rare instances mainly because they are content to live separately and there is no need for me the "English" to interfere. However, I worked at a retail pharmacy for 6 years and the Amish occasionally came in to purchase various items. Even if something went awry in anyway they were always the pinnacle of politeness. There is no more vile thing in my mind than choosing a self-separating, peaceful people group as the target for your vengeance. But this is article will not be about vengeance, it is precisely the foolish overarming of our society which creates the violence in our society. Already a Wisconsin state lawmaker is planning to introduce legislation arming teachers, principles, and school officials. If the cause is violence, I would wager more violence is not the solution.

This brings me back to the tragedy in Lancaster. A man decides because he is having dreams of harming children, to go into an Amish school house and harm children. There was no apparent hatred for the Amish. At best he claimed he had harmed two children 20 years ago when he was 11. This is violence to solve violence. This is harm to solve harm. It makes little to no sense to any logical mind. Obviously everyone knows the man (and I refuse to use his name as I believe such publicity contributes more to these acts) ended up shooting ten girls aged 7-13. Unlike Columbine and our slew of other school shooting tragedies, community members have not rallied to get on camera speaking of how they knew all along "he was crazy" or "something was wrong."

In fact, there was a no-fly zone enforced as well as road blocks to keep the media out. This being impressive for a modern world who cares little for privacy or respect. As for the Amish calls to enforce gun control and pass legislation? Nope. Instead they have extended forgiveness, even inviting the widow of the murderer to be a part of the funeral procession. Money being sent from around the world by the Amish is being set aside for her and her three children, at the behest of the Amish. A fund earmarked for "the victims." They view the family who murdered their young girls as victims just as they are. Newspaper articles show a clear lack of understanding for who this group is and how they operate. As a Mennonite, I understand some of the doctrine. To be honest, I do not understand the strength to follow through.

I have spent this week fighting anger at our modern society, who through it's military industrial complex and it's affection for violent entertainment, has produced a populace who murders or enjoys watching someone else murder. Then I read another article with another quoted Amish man or woman and see true forgiveness. Forgiveness of the sort I recently said in class, "Can probably only be given by God." I'm not saying we should disavow all of our modern appliances, I'm just saying maybe we should separate ourselves from our modern minds. The more "advanced" we become, the further we get from our nature as beings. One Amish Bishop called this "our 9/11" and I am thankful to God some people still believe enough not to start wars when they are senselessly attacked. Perhaps we all could learn something from the Amish, pacifist or hawk, because I can't think of another time I've seen such faith and justice extended in the face of such obvious atrocity.

contact Kevin @ kevin.ressler@emu.edu