amish

In the past few weeks I have been thinking a lot about Wisconsin v. Yoder, the decision which excuses Amish children from education following 8th grade for cultural reasons. Since the tragedy in Pennslyvania earlier in the week, I have been thinking a lot about in Amish in a variety of different contexts. I don't know why, but this story has affected me more than many of the other far too frequent tragedies involving school shootings, domestic violence, child abuse and all those other things you wish were not a part of the world.

The one thing I keep thinking over and over again is that, thank god that man did not, was unable to, follow through with his intention to sexually assult or rape those young girls. The incrediable fear that that possiblity instill in me is something that I cannot even begin to articulate. Then, I feel so deeply (in equal measure) for members of the Amish community and members of his family. For his wife and his chidren, for the parents and brothers and sisters of those girls. I was watching a bit of Larry King tonight and apparently one of the first things the Amish did was to offer their forgiveness. I may disagree with Wisconsin v. Yoder, but how can I have anything but respect and awe from a community which is able to immediately offer forgiveness in the face of such a crime. (note: clearly there are issues with culture and autonomy and the role of individuals who do not want to offer forgiveness not having the choice, but that is not relevant to the broader tone and point of this point). On Larry King they also said that the family accepted the forgiveness. Which would also not be an easy thing to do. Apparently the family of the man was invited to the funerals of the girls, though it was insinuated that they probably would not attend. How could you? How could you go on. How could you explain that to your children? As a child and as a adult, how do you reconcile loving someone with the knowledge that they committed such a horrible crime? As with so many things of late, this situation, which should be unimaginable, becomes all too real, leaving behind questions which are not answerable.