Posts in the ‘Stories’ Category

“I am concerned about the rights of women, the rights of children and, just as equally, the rights of men – because there can never be a community, there can never be a family, there can never be true freedom when any sector of humanity is not free,” she says.

Any reporter thinking Bethke would allow herself the satisfaction of revenge would be disappointed. Her family’s loss because of 9/11 has not changed a lifelong commitment to peace…From the beginning, she has chosen reconciliation over retribution.

Charlie Roberts said in a suicide note that he hated God after the death of his first child. Faced with similar suffering…his mother has taken the opposite path. Her son cursed God; she trusts in prayer. Her son acted out his rage; she reaches out for reconciliation.

The concept of restorative justice means giving back to the community you’ve hurt. Some prisoners have found a way to support children who have even less than they do. And volunteers believe this program will help inmates feel pride and avoid a return to prison.

On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Link TV is devoted an entire day of special programming showcasing stories of forgiveness, growth and transformation including Beyond Belief and In Our Son’s Name.

In wartime, not only remote villages but peace itself seems completely out of reach. Jesus’ call to “love our enemies” seems difficult to conceive, let alone practice. Yet there are countless stories from family and friends about how Dan kept reaching out.

“Bullies, Victims & Bystanders: A Seminar for Youths and Adults” will be offered Saturday, Oct. 22, at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church here.

“And I am impressed with our church members who, on the day after the break-in, were already talking about forgiving and moving on and how God could bring something good out of this.”

The United Methodist Women have put together a video of an interfaith conversation led by Harriet Olson, Deputy General Secretary of the United Methodist Women, on what the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities have experienced together since 9/11.

BBC News covers the extraordinary act of forgiveness by Rais Bhuiyan, a Bangladeshi Muslim, who reached out to his attempted murderer on death row to forgive and plea for his clemency.