Lessons to be learned from Amish community

Re “Gunman Planned Sex Assault on Amish Girls, Police Say,” Oct. 4

The tragedy at an Amish schoolhouse affords the rest of us the chance to witness how a Christian community responds to schoolhouse terrorism. Its faith provides the victims’ families with unconditional acceptance of the perpetrator’s suffering, an attitude that few in secular society could adopt or condone.

Some of the Amish may wrestle with God’s justice in their hearts and minds over the killing of innocents, but the community will not change its ways. Those of us outside this extraordinary group will wrestle with the stupidity of our collective society, which has the power to clarify the wording of the 2nd Amendment and reduce the epidemic of gun violence but refuses to do so.

Humans are a resolutely conservative species, no matter what society they belong to.

JEAN ROSENFELD

Pacific Palisades

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Unimaginable: A people who practice what they preach. In response to unimaginable violence against the most innocent and unprotected in our society -- and their very own children -- the Amish have refused to return hatred or unforgiveness, or to arm themselves with modern technology or weapons. In short, they practice what Jesus taught us to do in all things: Return good for evil, love your enemies, forgive always, and even -- gasp -- turn the other cheek. Impossible. I wonder what our world would be like if more of us would study and practice those teachings.

YVONNE ANGEL

Saugus