The Virginia Tech shooting that occurred on Monday, April 16, 2007 hit home for many college students. It surpassed The University of Texas at Austin’s tower shooting in 1966. Additionally, with the advent of technology, many others were able to pay tribute to those who passed on as a result. Many events occurred over this week: Some explored the killer’s motives, some pointed fingers, and some sought to exacerbate the pain and suffering. These events have served as triggers to some of my anger, and while some may disagree with my feelings, I would like to express them here.

A small sampling of Facebook groups created to show support

It never ceases to amaze me just how quickly and blindly people place blame. Thus far, I have seen three places people have wrongly pointed their fingers at: atheism, homosexuals, and video games. Not only did the shooter not have any video games (source), but atheists and homosexuals have nothing to do with this. From my past experiences and this one, we know that athiests have compassion and morals and that the killer is not gay based on his stalking of his female cohorts. This is not a craps table, and as you can see here, all your bets are lost. The only person to blame, regardless of state, is the person behind the trigger. If it is a surprise, you cannot profile shooters.

I am saying that it is impossible to profile people out to harm us because we have here a relapse of 9/11. People were quick to assume that those of Muslim faith are suicide bombers and terrorists, and Asian-Americans in Virginia Tech are fleeing campus in fear of reprisals (source). Indeed, my parents received a call at our house yesterday asking whether they speak Korean. For the record: No, we don’t speak Korean — we speak Cantonese. Yes, we have a gun, but it fires if and only if our family’s life and/or property is in jeopardy. Finally, we think that this killer is a disgrace to the Asian-American race. As a matter of fact, I think that he could have done us all a favor by pulling the trigger right at this image:

Source: MSNBC

I think I speak for most of the people who identify themselves with any race and/or religion when I say this: We are peaceful people who are practicing our faith and culture. While I am at stating things for the record, let me say that those who are using this situation to cause us all further pain are no better than the killer himself.

The two groups of people I am mentioning are those who call in fake threats to college campuses throughout the nation and this so-called “church” that usually “preaches” during soldiers’ funerals. This “church” believes that God hates America for tolerating the existence of homosexuals. The Bible has no explicit mention of whether homosexuality is a sin. However, it does have explicit mentions of things like

• “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)
• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

I think that this “church” should also know this:

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
(Revelations 22:16)

This tragedy surpasses the University of Texas Tower shooting in not only the number of people killed, but by the number of people able to express their sympathies and join in thanks to the advent of technology. As you can see here, it has also triggered many of us as it did to me. May those who died rest in peace.

Acknowledgments:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cho_Seung-hui
http://www.biblegateway.com