I didn’t sleep well last night. The attack on our soldiers by an Army Officer has gotten to me. My PTSD kicked in hard last night and this morning and my sense of safety has been threatened by the actions of an officer who swore the same oath as me.
So far it appears that the shooter Major Malik Nidal Hasan, a Army psychiatrist acted alone and that he killed 11 soldiers and 2 civilians and wounded 31 others in a shooting spree at the Ft Hood Soldier Readiness Center. Evidently in the past few weeks he began dressing in traditional middle eastern Arab garb and giving away his possessions. At the same time no one who knew him at Fort Hood including his coworkers and fellow physicians saw this coming. I bothers me on two levels, first that there could be others out there like him who for whatever reason. ideological, religious, political, psychological or whatever. Second that Arab Americans both Moslem and Christian will be targeted by people in a Xenophobic manner lumping all together with terrorists concerns me. I know many American Arabs both Christian and Moslem who love this country and are ashamed and outraged by what Major Hasan did. Unfortunately I have seen some “alternative news sites” and blogs that since last night have posted comments and images worthy of Der Sturmer regarding Moslems in general. Even more concerning as that many of these are supposedly “Christian” writers. I am concerned that the innocent will suffer for the sins of the guilty. What Major Hasan did, regardless of motivation was criminal. If he has associates they need to be caught before more events like this can happen. At the same time I think that if Americans label all Moslems as potential enemies that we will create more terrorists.
More later,
Peace,
Padre Steve+
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 
Padre Steve,
I am sorry to hear that this event has affected you this way. I have also been greatly affected by this act.
Today we started to deal the the aftermath of these horrific events. Many lives are touched in direct and indirect ways.
I have met Mr. Hasan. He was involved in the Muslim community here on Hood. Their Friday prayer service is held in the chapel where I serve. Today, not surprisingly, no Muslims showed up for their regular prayer event. This is understandable, but sad that they may fear retaliation or suspicion. At the same time, I understand the suspicion that Soldiers may show toward Muslims given this event and following service in Iraq.
Let’s be clear…As followers of Christ we are commanded to forgive and commanded to love our enemies. We should not look at all Muslims as enemies; but even if that is our feelings toward Muslims, we must deal with our grief and anger in the context of the call and work of Christ and His grace.
This is not easy! Forgiveness is a process. Grief and forgiveness take time and deliberate actions and efforts on our part.
As Priests we walk patiently with our people through their grief and anger, Realizing that this is a process and that it takes time. Loving guiding them toward healing and wholeness. At the same time taking care to guard our hearts and deal with our own grief and anger, reaching out for support ourselves when we need it.
Thanks for your openness and sharing your thoughts and struggles.
Peace,
Padre David