Thirteen year old Amish girl asked her murderer to shoot her first.
Oct. 5, 2006 The oldest of the five Amish girls shot dead in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse is said to have stepped forward and asked her killer to “Shoot me first,” in an apparent effort to buy time for her schoolmates.
Rita Rhoads, a midwife who delivered two of the victims, told ABC News’ Law and Justice Unit that she learned of 13-year-old Marian Fisher’s plea from Fisher’s family.
What’s more, Fisher’s younger sister, Barbie, who survived the shooting, allegedly asked the gunman, Charles Carl Roberts IV, to “Shoot me second,” Rhoads said.
“They were amazing,” Rhoads said, “absolutely amazing. There was a tremendous amount of calm and courage in that schoolroom.”
“Marian, the oldest one, did ask to be shot first,” Rhoads said. “The faith of their fathers really was embedded in them. … How many adults are willing to do that? Not many.”
Marian Fisher is being buried today, along with Naomi Rose Ebersole, 7, and sisters Mary Liz Miller, 8, and Lena Miller, 7.
Anna Mae Stoltzfus, 12, is to be buried on Friday.
Rhoads’ revelations come as the mystery surrounding the alleged motivation behind Roberts’ attack deepens.
Roberts entered West Nickel Mines Amish School on Monday and shot a total of 10 girls before turning the gun on himself.
Rhoads said that before killing himself, Roberts uttered three words, “Pray for me.”
Her account of Roberts’ final words matched an account attributed to another named source in The New York Times.
“He asked the children to pray for him, and that’s kind of interesting because he said he hated God,” Rhoads said. “He must have recognized the faith in them, God in them.”
I agree with Carol at The Median Sib - it is humbling to see the courage some show under such circumstances, especially when it’s looked at compared to the cowardice of others.
I also agree, and have seen it in others, that these girls were better ‘men’ than many males are.
And then there’s their faith. Did Robert’s not follow through with his plans to molest them because he saw their faith and courage? Did he ask for their prayers for the same reason?
In the end, did their murderer see God in those children?
Hot Air has an interesting discussion on the Amish and forgiveness. Is their immediate forgiveness and passivity preferable to righteous anger? Are they able to live their passive lives because there are warriors ready to come to their aid?
What about the teachings of the elders to the young that they must not hold anger in their hearts towards the murderer?
Rod Dreher writes how this has moved him.
John Podhoretz writes that anger can be as righteous as forgiveness.
In reading these posts I have been struck by the fact that these issues are even being discussed. How often do any of us think about the Amish? How often have any of us really examined their belief systems any further than the fact that they ride horses and buggies around rather than cars? I venture to suggest most of us rarely, if ever, have given it much thought at all.
Now, with all the media attention, and through the courage of those little girls, the world is looking at the Amish. Whether or not you agree with their passive view of life, it is apparent that their faith has a profound affect on their ability to deal with life and tragedy. It is also apparent that their passivity and courage are not mutually exclusive.
This has been such a tragedy, perhaps even more so because it was perpetrated upon such defenseless and innocent children. In reading what is being written about it and listening to the stories on television, I realize that those little girls have made an impact on the lives of innumerable people in this country.
Because of them we are thinking about faith, courage and forgiveness.
more discussion: Church & State, Random Commands
linked with: Stuck on Stupid, TMH’s Bacon Bits, Adam’s Blog, Samantha Burns, The Dumb Ox, Clash of Civilizations, The Right Nation, Woman Honor Thyself, Basil’s Blog, bRight & Early, Jo’s Cafe
Thanks for the link. I think the Amish come to the table with a strong belief that God is in control, even in tragedy. That the rewards are not in this life, but in the life to come. I admire that type of faith, though I think their isolation (for God’s purposes perhaps) keeps them from being an active positive influence on the culture around them.
Also, thank you for the link. This is truly an amazing story as it unfolds more and more. I think Jon is right. Some isolation is necessary for training children the way you want. Too much, and salt cannot be salt if it is not used.
Thanks for the link. Very interesting.
Ode To Marian Fisher…
My hero.
Two of the survivors of the shooting told their parents that 13-year-old Marian Fisher, one of the slain girls, asked to be shot first……