Incidentally, the reader who sent this to me points to Coon’s atheism — notably the fact that he’d allegedly been beaten up at school for saying “f*** God” — as proof that a “lack of a belief in God was a contributor in yet another school shooting.” Read the Plain-Dealer article at the link I provided and you’ll see there were a lot of compelling contributing factors here, but since we’re now blaming belief systems for alienated wackos from poor, broken homes occasionally getting violent, let me say (a) on behalf of all atheists everywhere, I’m really, really sorry, and (b) the next time a practicing Christian does something violent, I’ll be sure to point it out and apportion blame appropriately.

The point isn’t to blame atheists and no one is looking for an apology. It was to point out the connection, given that one of the Columbine shooters was wearing a “Natural Selection” shirt. It’s also worth noting that if he did believe in God, don’t you think he’d be a little more concerned about the repercussions of randomly shooting people and himself?

It’s not an indictment of atheism, it’s just odd that school shooters and mad mass murdering regimes through the ages tend to have roots with lacks of belief in God and/or social Darwinism, while “the religious” are constantly attacked for being the causes of war. The leftist atheists blame the current war on terror on “religion”, rather than Islam, because that’s how they’ve been brainwashed.

So this not against “atheists” at all, it’s just pointing out how “religion” is constantly attacked for war and death, when the opposite couldn’t be more true. How often do we hear “bombing of abortion clinics” used as a scare tactic and an attack on “fundamentalist” Christians? Compare the death count of those rare incidents to school shootings by nonbelievers.

Update: Looks like you can indeed backdate MySpace posts. The page is a fake.

As for that, I don’t really get it… I just saw Shep (barf) report this too… however I don’t see anyone showing that they can back date posts. The date was obviously the only reason to believe that it was him. Weird. I have trouble just accepting the word of a “Utah teen” who claims to have created it, especially given the media’s ability to fact check lately. If back dating is possible, I suppose it was him… but I’ll hold off on buying it at this point.

Smith just went back to lunch? What?????

criminal…

“When Smith saw Coon load a gun, he left but didn’t tell a teacher.”

“Fifteen minutes later, Smith was eating lunch in the cafeteria”

In the comments section at the cleveland.com link from where this quote came from, the comments in defense of Smith seem to revolve around him being a 15 yr old helpless black “child”, “children” don’t trust adults, you don’t know unless you’ve been an inner-city “child”, and other nonsense.

I don’t think a 15 yr old doesn’t have the mental capacity/instinct/morals to at least want to save people (or at least save himself). Smith just went back to lunch? What?????

That being said, music doesn’t make you kill, nor does religion. Killing is a personal act, like scratching one’s scrotum. Sure you felt an itch, but you had to decide to stick your hand down there to scratch it.

Also, I think we can draw an obvious link between aspiration and killing. Notice how none of our favorite rampage killers were all reportedly oxygen-breathers. Oh the horror.

Ann Coulter, call your office. “MASTERMIND OF FIRST TWIN TOWERS ATTACK CLAIMS HE HAS CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY… DEVELOPING…”, at Drudge…

…but the link goes to a page about Bruce Springsteen’s whining and uninformed ideas about “unpatriotic” behavior (such as “illegal wiretapping”).

Why shouldn’t we consider this kid’s atheism, if he indeed was an atheist, as a factor in his actions?

The Race Card on October 11, 2007 at 12:16 PM

Of course we should consider it, and we have, but when you compare it to other shootings, it shows its highly unlikely that it played a factor.

I would also caution against blaming this on goth culture, that’s not necessarily an indicator either, it may indicate being ostracized, which is an indicator, but other than that, I’d read nothing into that.

Ochlan on October 11, 2007 at 1:25 PM

I know how violent and depraved rap can be. There are thousands of verses touting wanton murder and mayhem. But you cannot tell me that bands like Cannibal Corpse are any better. Even groups like Pantera and Slayer are seen as fuel for the wayward angry youth. The only difference is that rap lyrics are more discernable…at times. With lyrics about raping, killing, skinning and eating your friends/family who needs rap?

My point here is not to diminish this tragedy. Rather I am highlighting how important music has become to personal identity, and how problematic that can be for anyone who looks to entertainers for spiritual or lifestyle guidance. The hippies still haven’t recovered.

But this tragedy will somehow be tied to rap music. It’s inevitable.

I doubt it. This scene is a refuge for angst-ridden white kids. It’s pantomime…faustian theater…pulp thriller.

It is not an indoctrination vehicle for misogyny and organized crime.

These are some of the fastest growing musical genres. You have classic greats like Deicide and Cannibal Corpse, singing songs about necropedophilia and killing Jesus.

But this tragedy will somehow be tied to rap music. It’s inevitable.

Why shouldn’t we consider this kid’s atheism, if he indeed was an atheist, as a factor in his actions?

That’s just two of many.

amerpundit on October 11, 2007 at 9:31 AM

Yes, but I don’t think those people actually knew him. He has 214 friends right now, but all of those recently became his friends.

None of the messages say anything personal. None of them say anything that wasn’t seen on the news.

First, Goths and Devil worshipers are not the same as atheists.

AP, on behalf of all people of faith I’m really, really sorry that some fool insinuated that this is your fault via email.

12thman on October 11, 2007 at 10:16 AM

I am as well, and that’s a good point. It sounds like he was just a depressed emo/goth kid. Not believing in God or an afterlife might have contributed to his decision to kill himself and others, but there’s no reason to believe that he wouldn’t have taken Cho’s path if he had believed in God.

That said, people should note, it is common for people to load up their weapons before they begin shooting, I can think of two school shootings off the top of my head where they loaded their weapons in the restrooms, which means students should be taught to watch for this, and make damn well sure they alert security or the admins, I can’t believe this was seen and not reported. This isn’t like when someone says they’ll do it, this is actually seeing someone prep for it.

When Smith saw Coon load a gun, he left but didn’t tell a teacher.

Way to step up and help your fellow man Bro.

Caring about others is just sooo last century.

Go Tribe!

so they can have an eye kept on them.
Sensei Ern on October 11, 2007 at 10:13 AM

Twirl your mustache when you say that.

AP, on behalf of all people of faith I’m realy, realy sorry that some fool insinuated that this is your fault via email.

Some names:
ALan Damien
necrotickiss
Blackrose
Omaha (Her name isn’t much, but her blog looks like the next meltdown.)
Jesus Satan

Thank Science they don’t!