A series of fires at African-American churches across the US south has prompted the FBI to investigate whether the blazes are related. Last week six fires hit black churches in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and Tennessee. Three have been ruled arsons and the others are still under investigation. "They're being investigated to determine who is responsible and what motives are behind them," FBI spokesman Paul Bresson told BuzzFeed News. No one has been hurt in the fires, but many of the churches were completely destroyed. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also assisting local authorities in the arson investigations. null A wing of Briar Creek Road Baptist Church in North Carolina was destroyed in one incident J Britt Johnson, an FBI spokesman in Atlanta, said the agency is investigating whether the arson at God's Power Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia, was a hate crime. Mr Johnson said the move was standard procedure for the agency when a church is a target of arson. "Opening a preliminary inquiry doesn't suggest that a hate crime has occurred, but rather ensures that it is getting additional scrutiny," Mr Johnson said. The fires came about a week after nine black churchgoers were shot and killed in Charleston, South Carolina in what police called a racially motivated attack. The tragedy has reignited debate about race relations and sparked a backlash against the Confederate flag. Clearly this is a pattern thats emerged after the shooting at the church and slaying of 9 people. im not sure whether they are being targeted because they choose to forgive anybody or because they are simply scared of revenge attacks. When Amalek tried to stop Israel reaching the promised land, the most high told them to smite the Amalekite and erase them from history. My question is, should these christians continue forgiving these attackers?
They can continue to forgive the attackers, but they should consider some security measures. This write-up says six fires, so these Christians are well past the other cheek.
Well, Jesus said to forgive transgressors "seventy times seven times" (a figurative expression for "infinite") so yeah, they should keep forgiving them - heck, Jesus forgave the guys nailing him on the cross, so there's our marching orders. But you're also right about the extra security, Jesus didn't say anything against having guards on night watches and security cameras.
When Amalek tried to stop Israel reaching the promised land, the most high told them to smite them and erase them from history. would you forgive a black girl for beating your daughter to a bloody pulp?
Difference between the old and new testament. Do you want the members of the black churches to go out and start attacking random white people? Would that satisfy your desire for violet retribution?
And now a few words from Romans 12: 14- 21 It's not for us to seek vengeance, The Most High is saying that's His job. Unless He personally orders you to do do (which He did to Israel back in the day) stay out of it. If you don't like it, take it up with God.
when a handful of people attacked the twin towers, we did attack an entire country... but I see your point, that might be over-reacting a bit and cause more harm in the long run
I don't want to derail the thread so I'll keep it short: I've personally found that sincerely forgiving people/asking forgiveness - while it can be VERY difficult - is very therapeutic and cathartic, so that helps the living. And as for the dead, now they're beyond pain BUT on the other hand get judged for how they did on earth - including whether they themselves forgave their enemies while living, I should think.
So far they don't even know if the fires are related. They don't even know if three of them were arson. If they are related hopefully the FBI can bring the guilty parties to justice. Violence will only bring more violence.
Ah, so that wasn't meant as instruction for all Christians to follow, JUST the Romans? You know, the Ten Commandments were only given to the Jews. So using your logic, what Roof did was perfectly fine. He isn't Jewish. See where your Biblical (non)logic is headed?