The Town Hall Archives

smurfs · Guest

I'm in total shock about this event, first the World Trade Center, threat of war with Iraq and now this how can this possibelly get any worse. some people think it was an act of terrisom or just a monfuction what do you think ? Sad

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E87M2 · Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 1106

From watching the news all morning, I have been led to believe that it was a malfunction. It blew up pretty high so there is little likeliness that it was caused by terrorism (i.e. missles shot from the ground or something), unless it had something to do with the Israeli on board. I want to think not. Crying or Very sad

It is really sad. Did you hear President Bush's statement today? very very good considering the circumstances.

Jacob Isom · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 2:47 pm Post subject:

I personally think that these "major" events that keep happening to Americans all the time are little signs from God that we need to get our act together. I'm not saying "we" as in the world at large, but "we" as in the Christians. More and more Christians are luke-warm, neither hot or cold like the Bible says to be. Many Christians are playing with sin because they know that God will forgive them for what they do no matter what. Sad

That's even more tragic than the 7 deaths we've been hearing about today... because if the Christians aren't going out into the world, MORE than 7 souls will end up in the Lake of Fire someday.

The Christian Americans need to draw back to God....

God Bless America... America Bless God... FIRST. That's the only way it works. If "we" keep playing with sin do you think God is going to hear our calls when we "need" Him in these times of trouble? I don't think so.

Jared · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 3:16 pm Post subject:

This was not an act of terrorism. As stated before, it was well out of the range of surface-to-air missiles at 200,000 ft. Any bomb planted in the craft would likely have gone off at launch (why would a would-be bomber wish to make the event less dramatic - people would be there to actually watch the launch - and take the risk of the bomb not working after exposure to space conditions), besides which, security around the shuttles is extraordinarily tight. Cold War era depressurization explosions don't seem to fit here either and this would take a very concerted effort by true experts. Meaning, an inordinate number of enemies INSIDE the NASA team. Impossible. And useless.

We're dealing with Al Qaeda and Iraq now, not the Soviet Union.

E87M2 mentioned a possibility of it having "something to do with the Israeli onboard." I hope, E87M2, that you didn't mean that the Israeli was involved in this attack! It's the Palestinians who do the suicide bombings....

Of course, you probably meant an attack on the shuttle Challenger because there was an Israeli on board and sadly, there are countless Muslims who would gladly destroy anything in order to take the life of an Israeli or Jew. However, refer to my above comments... this does not have any marks of terrorism.

Jacob, while I absolutely agree that America needs to draw nearer to God, I question calling this a judgement. You don't know the individuals. Actually, the lead member of the crew, Captain Husband, was a strong Christian. And a homeschool dad as well, for those of you who are interested.

Of course, we're all worthy of death, but what you're suggesting doesn't make a lot of sense to me. God wasn't responsible for this. I know you meant that in a "to-get-us-back" way -- and I hope people do see that life is but for a moment and get right with God because of this, just as some did after 9-11 -- but this was an accident, not the work of God. True, he didn't prevent it. He allows accidents to happen. But I do not believe that He decided that America needed another wakeup call, so He decided that the shuttle would explode.

Maybe that's not what you meant. I hope it wasn't.

And Jacob, you also implied, maybe unwittingly, that those seven are going to the Lake of Fire. I can't speak for them... but then again, neither can you. You were making a point about reaching the world, but please don't assume that the seven who died today are not Christians. I know that at least one is...

And finally, let me close by illustrating, using the ending of Bush's short address to the nation on this disaster, how wonderful it is to have a Christian president:

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth, yet we can pray that all are safely home.

May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.

The Top Crusader · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 3:26 pm Post subject:

Well, I dunno. Obviously this is a tragic thing...

But... lots and lots of people die everyday, ya know? These seven weren't any more important or whatever than any others who die in an accident or something.

Jared · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject:

The fact that lots of people die doesn't make this any less sad. And these people were in the public eye... in a way, a symbol of America, of science...

And we esteem them higher because they knowingly put their lives at risk. True, all deaths are equally terrible, but it sounds almost callous to say essentially, "sad, but it's just another couple of deaths."

The Top Crusader · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 3:49 pm Post subject:

Well, I'm not saying it's not bad, but some people are comparing it to the 9-11 attacks or something. Just seems out of proportion to me.

Jared · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 4:25 pm Post subject:

True, it's not 9/11 or anything close.

And besides, this is a time to be sad. September 11th was a time to be sad -- and to be angry. This was a terrible accident that took the lives of seven people. What happened on September 11th was a murderous attack that took the lives of 3,025.

Today's event was terrible... but there's no comparison.

The Top Crusader · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 5:25 pm Post subject:

EXACTLY! That's all I was trying to say...

Didn't mean to sound callous or anything, cause this is a bad thing. I didn't phrase myself very well in my first post in here...

rosie · Inquisitive Member Joined: 07 Jan 2003 Posts: 1197

"and may God continue to bless America" WOW!! Seems like an awfull lot is going wrong lately, but when you think about, most of us are pretty blessed!! Not only should all of us be thankfull to be alive, we should also be thankfull that we can expect to live. Just because a couple bad things happen, doesn't mean we have to think the world is turning upside down. Yes 9-11 was pretty terrible, but we still have it good compared to other countries. I think there is a point where patriotism can go too far. It seems as if a lot of people can't see past the borders very well.

That statement can be misunderstood, so I'll elaborate. This is a cool country. And pretty good. It bothers me that some people get so angered about things happening to the U.S., but watch what happens in other parts of the world with passive pity. Now that's slightly exaggerated, but you all have to admit that the thoughts and feelings in reaction to bad events inside the US and outside, differ if only a little bit. And maybe that's good. I'm confusing myself. I guess the point is that, as Christians, we should realize the US isn't all that important in the broad scheme of things, and not be so wrapped up in patriotism that we don't get mad unless it effects our country. To me, terrorism or tragic events in America are a bigger deal than the many thousands of Christians being Martyred EVERYDAY, and I'm pretty sure that's not the right way to look at things.

There. Hhmm. I'm not very comunicateable. Oh well. Smile