Author Discusses Book Examining Idea Of Forgiveness After Tragedy

Written by Dantin Reimer

Dr. Weaver-Zercher speaking at the Eden Health Care's Forgiveness and Mental Health, a Stepping Stone to Recovery on October 11th

Six years ago the Amish community of Nickel Mines grieved over the loss of 5 of its girls, while 5 others were seriously injured in a mass shooting incident. October 2nd, 2006 Charles Roberts went into their school and proceeded to shoot all ten of the girls that were in attendance because he was angry at God for taking his young daughter.

Dr. David Weaver-Zercher was in Winkler last Thursday to speak at a Eden Foundation dessert night. The event raised $28,000, including sponsorships, with the money supporting Eden Health Care Services programming such as the Segue employment program and its housing and supports programs.

Dr. Weaver Zercher has co-written a book about the Nickel Mines school shooting called "Amish Grace" (How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy).  The book explores the many questions raised about the religious beliefs and habits of Amish society that led to the quick offer of forgiveness to the shooter Roberts.

"The story of the Amish school shooting in Nickel Mines. Really did capture world wide attention. It's now six years since it happened. It was October 2nd, 2006 when Charles Roberts entered an Amish school house in Lancaster County. Took his gun with him and chased out everybody but the girls, ten of them were left behind, he shot them and five of them died. Much of the attention around the world had to do with the horror of what happened but, also in the aftermath the Amish response got a lot of attention as well particularly the Amish response with respect to forgiving Robert for what he had done," said Zercher.

Dr. Weaver-Zercher continues to keep in touch with the Nickel Mines community, and shared some of the families have to deal with the situation differently. There is one family that needs help to take care of their daughter in many ways, because she can't take care of herself. Generally the families are healing well, and are sharing their experience with other Amish and non-Amish people.

Nickel Mines didn't take long to forgive the actions of Charles Roberts.

"One of the reasons why this story has resonance is that all of us can relate to instances where we've been hurt by others and all of us can relate to the pain that comes after that. The anger that we feel, the bitterness we feel, the desire to enact revenge either in small or big ways. So I think that the issue of forgiveness and the problem of forgiveness is one that is almost universal.  I think what that the Amish teach is that not only is it possible to forgive but, it is easier to forgive when your in a community that values forgiveness. So when I get into church settings that's one of the things that I try to talk about that this is a heavy load to bear, but when you are surrounded by people that encourage you in that regard that sympathize with you when you know that it's difficult to forgive. That's a helpful first step. One of the things I try to talk about when I talk about the Amish response is that it is really a community response. There were particular people, particular families that were affected more centrally, but At the same time the response of forgiveness is something that is embedded in their community life together and they help one another in that regard." stated Zercher.

Origin of Post:
http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29498&Itemid=338