I grew up Mennonite (and I have a Christian blog and I wrote about the Amish killings).  I have several ex-

Amish relatives.

While I respect the Amish practice of forgiveness, and it’s pastel colourations in a modern media looking for spiritual heroes, I have issues with the Amish way of life that allowed this to happen.

Had the school been set up with proper security, these children may not have had to die. 

I think turning the cheek is a right practice.  But I also think that when God entrusts you with children, it is your duty in the eyes of God to take all reasonable measures to keep those children safe enough to live to adulthood.  In short, your offspring should never be put in a position where they have to turn the other cheek to a crazed gunman. 

The fact that this schoolhouse–like so many Amish Fundamental Schools–had no men on staff and no security is appalling to me.  Most Amish view the raising of children as solely women’s work, and that follows through to their schools.  And when you live in Pennsylvania (as my husband did) or Indiana (as I did), it is a well-known fact that AFS’ are sitting ducks. 

They’d do just as well to leave their precious children in the street. 

Yes, Jesus called us to be peacemakers.  But did he call us to be foolhardy?  I somewhat doubt it.