Comments on: Preaching to the Dead: An interview with escaped FLDR

By: Ann Richmond

Ann Richmond — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:12:15 +0000

I agree with Sid, about having planted a seed. There is light and hope in there somewhere…who knows what your comments can do.

By: Sid Anderson

Sid Anderson — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:01:03 +0000

I would have to disagree with your reporter friend, because history shows us that there are people who can survive the ugliest of atrocities, yet become advocates of hope and peace.

This reminds me of accounts I’ve read from WWII, survivors of Nazi death camps who went on to write about their experiences. Yes, they did survive and come into more comfortable lives, but with atrocious psychological damage. At the same time, many of these survivors went on to do great work, philanthropically and through education, to make this world a little bit of a better place… perhaps they heard a word of hope spoken from someone along the way, someone from the outside. Who knows?

You planted a seed, Lisa, as you so often do.

By: Ann Shannon

Ann Shannon — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:27:52 +0000

That is why we must hold the perpetrators in our hearts (and for those who believe in prayer, hold them tenderly and resolutely in our prayers). If more of us held the perpetrators as well as their victims in the field of love and our deepest compassion whenever we hear stories of depraved cruelty, the world might begin to turn on a different axis altogether.

How could this boy have been anyone other than who he was, how could he have done anything other than what he did, given what he was raised in every day of his young life? All of those child soldiers like him are the biggest victims of this war…they have never known their own goodness. How heartbreaking. Whatever he has done, he deserves our compassion and love. Would we have done differently in the same circumstances? Not likely.

By: Ande Uriguen

Ande Uriguen — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:24:01 +0000

I am not sure I agree with your reporter friend. I take that back, I do, to a certain degree. Seeing the spirit death, lifeless faces of war torn countries has to speak the words that he/she said to you. However, I don’t think positive reinforcement or words from love should ever be in vain. Are we ever really sure what effect our words or presence have on another? I don’t think that there is a effective tool to measure that. I, like you, can not help but wonder if a human being can be ‘too far gone’ for a chance at living. The truth being that, maybe, I just refuse to believe that is the case. Your words are hopeful and inspiring. I think part of the answer is that these brave individuals get some repetition in those words and their meaning. You have seen first hand the evolution of the women of Congo. Through your work, and that of WFW, these women are transformed from complete despair to strong, confident women. Who says that is not possible for those like Hutu?