Church Shooting in Knoxville TN

[Queen Esther]

Please be in prayer, there was a church shooting a few hours away from where I live. It was a Unitarian church that was attacked but no matter what affiliation or denomination it was this was very sad. Let us pray that God will be used in this situation and souls will be saved.

It's also scary knowing that this happened so close to where I live and that it could easily be my church or any church in the area even though we live in "The Bible Belt".

Here is an article about it: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story...=61322&catid=2

Multiple people have suffered gunshot wounds in what witnesses describe as a mass shooting inside a church in West Knoxville Sunday morning.

The shootings happened at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on Kingston Pike.

A witness who spoke to 10 News said police had arrived and one person was being detained at the scene.

A children's production of "Annie" was taking place as part of the normal Sunday service at the time of the shooting, the witness, who is a member of the church, said. The gunman walked into a packed sanctuary and opened fire.

The number of people shot and the extent of their injuries has not been confirmed, but the witness said he saw at least five people shot.

Church members heard a loud boom during the church service, which began around 10:15 a.m., the witness said. Several other loud booms followed, and the witness said the gunman seemed to be shooting randomly across a row of people. Two congregants tackled the gunman, he said.

Many people fled to the Second Presbyterian Church after the shooting, and that church was placed on lockdown, according to a 10 News crew at the scene. People have since been allowed to return to the Unitarian church building, where police are questioning witnesses.

[PureOxygen]

This is so terrible. My friend is in town this weekend and she is from Knoxville, her mom called her to tell her about this while we were out.

[bittersweet]

That's awful. Does anyone have any idea why this guy opened fire in the church?

[ChristFollower89]

That is horrible. The church community will be in my prayers!

[AliveInHim]

Originally Posted by bittersweet

That's awful. Does anyone have any idea why this guy opened fire in the church?

This is a man that was bitter about a great deal of things. He was bitter about the liberal movement. This is a Unitarian-Universalist church that is seen by many people as very liberal. The correct term is that it is accepting and tolerant of different lifestyles. The man was bitter and blamed the liberal movement on his lack of employment. His thoughts were that people that got the jobs were liberals when he was not. It's a fallacy really, but that's the whole reason behind it.

He opened fire with a semi-automatic that was bought legally. There was also a hand gun found in his home. There's a 1 million dollar bond out for him right now.

I also believe that he used to be in the military.

He has expressed extreme hatred for liberals as well as homosexuals and blame much of his plight on them.

Amanda

[Damaris]

Originally Posted by AliveInHim

This is a Unitarian-Universalist church that is seen by many people as very liberal. The correct term is that it is accepting and tolerant of different lifestyles.

I've found some information on the topic that I thought would be beneficial to share just so people know what the Unitarian-Universalist movement is about. Quoted from wikipedia:

Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is a theologically liberal religion characterized by its support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. ...Today’s UUs appreciate and value aspects of other religions ranging from Judaism to Jainism. Although Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, ...they do not necessarily identify themselves as Christians nor do they necessarily subscribe to Christian beliefs.

They believe that each person is free to search for his or her own personal truth on issues, such as the existence, nature, and meaning of life, deities, creation, and afterlife. UUs can...hold beliefs from a variety of...religions.

Concepts about deity are diverse among UUs. Some believe that there is no God (atheism); others believe in many Gods (polytheism). Some believe that God is a metaphor for a transcendent reality. Some believe in a female God (Goddess), a passive God (Deism), a Christian God, or a God manifested in nature or the universe, as revealed by science. Many UUs reject the idea of deities and instead speak of the "spirit of life" that binds all life on earth. Unitarian Universalists support each person's search for truth and meaning in concepts of spirituality.

Unlike traditional Christians, Unitarian Universalists assert no theology. Unitarian Universalists believe that the divine can be found in all people and in many faiths. (Source)

It looks like this group of people is still lost. But I do greatly appreciate Esther posting this thread. The thought that they are mislead inspires me to pray more, not less, that God might use this situation to point them to the Truth. How hopelessly agonizing it must be to endure hardship apart from Christ!

[gretti]

Sum up Unitarian Universalism: There is no right or wrong answer. What is right for you may not be right for them, but neither of you are wrong.

Personally, I'm not sure how you can form an actual religion around the idea that all religions are right; it's more like a lifestyle than a religion.

But in any event, since if I get started on this I will keep talking about it all day, it really is sad that people will go into any church and open fire. I will pray that these people will, in their grief, turn to the real God and He will help them cope

~gretti