Any other UUs feeling really upset today?

[Jenny in Florida]

I'm not normally the kind of person who obsesses and weeps over the news, but I confess the Knoxville incident is hitting me very hard. It really feels like "family," you know? I'm sure it's partly because it's my own not-terribly-large denomination, but also because it happened during a children's play, and I have two theatre geeks who are involved in every show they can get into, at our church and elsewhere.

I kept holding out hope that maybe it was just random, that this guy just walked into the first church he found. But now I'm reading that he targeted UUs specifically because he hates our "liberal views."

Wow. Sorry for the babbling. I just keep thinking about those kids witnessing this horror . . .

[Melinda in VT]

Yes, I've been thinking of the Knoxville church ever since I read about the incident yesterday.

We're not currently attending a UU church, but we belonged to one for several years when we lived in another state, and we have fond feelings for that church and the UU denomination in general.

[Tracey in TX]

My heart goes out to every member of that congregation. How can any person be so cruel as to murder? In a church? In front of children? I'm sick just thinking about it. It's reminiscent of the murders in a Fort Worth church several years ago.
What happened to love one another as you love yourself?
I'll certainly keep all the friends, family, and UU members in my prayers.

[Kathleen in VA]

Not a UU, but still very upset by the whole thing. I was just reading aloud to my dc about this sort of thing happening in colonial America (killing people over differing religious views) and how wrong, wrong, wrong it is. It saddens me so very much. But I did point out to dc that it was very precious of the one fellow to take the bullets for others - that is exactly what love is and at least in the middle of a horrible event this one beautiful act shines as a light.

I'm sorry you are hurting:grouphug:.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I'm not normally the kind of person who obsesses and weeps over the news, but I confess the Knoxville incident is hitting me very hard. It really feels like "family," you know? I'm sure it's partly because it's my own not-terribly-large denomination, but also because it happened during a children's play, and I have two theatre geeks who are involved in every show they can get into, at our church and elsewhere.

I kept holding out hope that maybe it was just random, that this guy just walked into the first church he found. But now I'm reading that he targeted UUs specifically because he hates our "liberal views."

Wow. Sorry for the babbling. I just keep thinking about those kids witnessing this horror . . .

It sounds (on the local news) like he was isolated and out of work and in despair, so he found the embodiment of what he felt like was the cause of all his troubles and attacked. It also sounds like he was trying to commit police-assisted suicide, as the letter he left gave indication that he was expecting to still be shooting when the police arrived to take him out (kill him). He was clearly not in his right mind.

It is horrific, no doubt about it. UU pastors from the entire region raced to the church to help, as did members from at least two progressive congregations (one UU, one Presbyterian USA) in Johnson City. I'm sure there were others.

Hugs to you, Jenny. May you find some peace today.

[Saille]

I just saw the story b/c of your thread, actually. It appears that he specifically targeted the UU Church because of its tolerant views? I agree, that's terribly upsetting.

I am simultaneously grief-stricken and proud to see that church members leaped to action, both to protect each other and to stop the assailant.

[autumndivona]

I am just reading about it and am heartbroken. Any such incident involving a religious community - not just our own - hurts so much. The families of those who have been killed and injured, the children, and their families, are all in my thoughts.

[Danestress]

But yes, I feel very sad. I grew up UU and went to a great conference at the UU church in knoxsville. I had my first kiss there. It just awful news.

[Country Mouse]

This tragic event has been devastating to dh and me.
We have always felt that our church was a safe haven where we could go and be ourselves and worship without being judged.
That someone would breach that sanctuary in such a brutally violent way is chilling.
Our hearts are with the UU families in Knoxville that are suffering.

[KarenNC]

Absolutely. I am concerned that it may spawn some copycat situations, as has happened with school shootings. There is a very active group locally which is extremely vocal and way out-there in their condemnation and IMO abusive protests of exactly the groups this shooter targeted. It terrifies me that someone who is similarly mentally ill will twist that and this incident together and decide to do something similar here.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Absolutely. I am concerned that it may spawn some copycat situations, as has happened with school shootings. There is a very active group locally which is extremely vocal and way out-there in their condemnation and IMO abusive protests of exactly the groups this shooter targeted. It terrifies me that someone who is similarly mentally ill will twist that and this incident together and decide to do something similar here.

Ugh. If nothing else, maybe some will see that words do indeed have power.

[Caroline]

We have been thinking about going to a UU church. While I know that I should not let this shooting stop me from attending, it still has made me a little leary. And then I feel bad about that, too.

But certainly, my thoughts and prayers are with all UU members today.