The Wired Word for 05/31/2026  🔗 **Source:** [The Wired Word for 05/31/2026]() > [!note]+ Document Notes > --- > tags: [online-radicalization, religious-violence, community-building] > author: [MISSING] > source: The Wired Word > reference: mailto:reader-forwarded-email/wired-word-2026-05-31 > date created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} {{time:HH:mm}} > --- > # 🏷️ Title: The Wired Word for 05/31/2026 > ## 🧭 Table of Contents > - [📝 Summary](#-summary) > - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) > - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) > - [📚 References](#-references) > - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) > - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) > - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) > - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) > - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) > ## 📝 Summary > - Two teenagers, radicalized online through shared hatred, killed three people at San Diego's largest mosque before taking their own lives. > - The victims—Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad—died heroically preventing the shooters from entering the building where children were present. > - The attackers met online, bonded over white supremacist ideology, and were inspired by previous mass killers. > - This religious devotional email uses the tragedy to discuss building in-person Christian communities based on mutual love rather than shared hatred. > - Key risks include online radicalization of isolated youth and the amplification of hate through social media engagement algorithms. > ## 📖 Main Content > ### The San Diego Mosque Shooting > On May 18, 2026, two teenagers (ages 17 and 18) conducted a livestreamed attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing three people before committing suicide. The attackers wore camouflage tactical gear marked with the Black Sun, a white supremacist symbol, and had written a 75-page manifesto expressing hatred toward Jews, Muslims, and gay people. > The three victims died as heroes: > - **Amin Abdullah** (security guard): Immediately engaged the shooters to prevent entry > - **Mansour Kaziha** (mosque store manager): Drew attackers' attention away from the building > - **Nader Awad** (community member): Also helped divert the shooters to the parking lot > ### Online Radicalization Pattern > According to FBI investigators, the teenagers "met online and bonded over shared hatreds." Their manifesto cited inspiration from the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooter and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooter. The 17-year-old's mother had called police prior to the attack, reporting her son missing and suicidal, along with missing guns from their home. > ### Christian Response Framework > The devotional material frames this tragedy as an opportunity to examine how faith communities can counter online hate through in-person fellowship. It emphasizes four biblical practices: > 1. **Ecclesiastes 4:9-12**: The value of companionship over isolation > 2. **Acts 2:44-45**: Early Christian community practices (teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayers) > 3. **Hebrews 10:24-25**: Provoking one another to love and good deeds through regular gathering > 4. **1 John 2:11**: The spiritual blindness that comes from hatred > ## 🗒️ Notes > - The Islamic Center's mission includes serving "people of all faiths" and working with the broader community > - Police confiscated over 30 guns from three homes linked to the teenagers > - The attack represents a pattern of "alienated young men with access to guns and a hateful online community" > - Faith leaders held an interfaith vigil, emphasizing that mourning demonstrates the strength and value of love > ## 📚 References > - [Hartford Sentinel article on hate manifesto](referenced but no URL provided) > - [New York Times on internet-based radicalization](referenced but no URL provided) > - [CNN on victims' heroic actions](referenced but no URL provided) > - [Fox News on mother's warning call](referenced but no URL provided) > - [Religion Unplugged on anti-Muslim hate surge](referenced but no URL provided) > ## 🗣️ Paraphrase > This religious education material uses a tragic mosque shooting to explore how faith communities can build connections based on love rather than hate. Two teenagers who met online and bonded over white supremacist ideology killed three heroic defenders at San Diego's largest mosque before taking their own lives. The devotional frames this as a call for Christians to create stronger in-person communities that can counter the isolation and alienation that makes young people vulnerable to online radicalization. > ## 📰 Newsletter > This week's reflection focuses on building authentic community connections in our increasingly digital world. Following a tragic shooting at a San Diego mosque, faith leaders are asking how we can create spaces where people bond over shared love and service rather than hatred. The victims—three men who died protecting children in their mosque—remind us of the heroism that emerges from strong community bonds. For WordPress communities, this raises important questions about how we foster healthy online interactions and support isolated contributors who might be vulnerable to negative influences. > ## ✅ Action Items > #### DevRel > Not applicable — religious devotional, no WordPress relevance > #### OSPO > Not applicable — religious devotional, no WordPress relevance > #### Community > - Audit community spaces for signs of isolation or alienation among contributors > - Develop mentorship programs pairing experienced contributors with newcomers > - Create regular in-person or video meetups to build personal connections beyond code > #### WordPress > Not applicable — religious devotional, no WordPress relevance > #### The WPCC > Not applicable — religious devotional, no WordPress relevance > ### FAIR > Not applicable — religious devotional, no WordPress relevance > ## 🧪 Hypotheses > - Online radicalization accelerates when isolated individuals find community through shared hatred rather than positive connection > - In-person religious gatherings create stronger social bonds than online-only communities > - Heroic behavior emerges more readily in communities with strong mutual care practices > - Faith-based responses to violence emphasize community healing over individual punishment > ### 📊 Methodology > - Longitudinal studies of online vs. in-person community engagement > - Analysis of social media algorithms that amplify outrage-driven content > - Case studies of successful deradicalization programs > - Comparative analysis of community resilience after violent incidents > ### ❓ Questions > - How do social media algorithms specifically amplify hate-based content? > - What early warning signs indicate online radicalization risk? > - How effective are interfaith responses to religiously motivated violence? > - Can online communities develop the depth of connection that prevents radicalization? > ### 🔮 Future Research > - Impact of "rage click" engagement patterns on political polarization > - Effectiveness of faith-based deradicalization programs > - Role of gun access in converting online hate to real-world violence > - Community resilience factors that prevent copycat attacks > ### 💡 Implications > Practice: Faith communities should prioritize in-person gathering and mutual care > Policy: Social media platforms need better algorithms to detect and interrupt radicalization > Security: Religious institutions require enhanced but unobtrusive protection > Education: Digital literacy must include recognition of radicalization tactics > ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment > Reading level: Grade 9-10 (Flesch-Kincaid estimate) > #### 👀 Visual learners > Present: Biblical passages formatted as blocks, clear section headers > Improve: Infographic on radicalization warning signs, community connection diagram > #### 🔊 Aural learners > Present: Discussion questions designed for group conversation > Improve: Audio version of devotional, recorded prayers > #### 🗣️ Verbal learners > Present: Rich theological vocabulary, biblical cross-references, discussion prompts > Improve: Glossary of terms, comparative analysis with other faith traditions > #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners > Present: Practical action steps for community building > Improve: Interactive community assessment checklist, hands-on service projects > #### 🧠 Logical learners > Present: Clear cause-and-effect analysis of radicalization process > Improve: Decision tree for intervention, statistical data on hate crime trends > #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners > Present: Dear Class Members, Three people have been killed in a shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque, and two teen suspects appear to have been radicalized online. In response, this installment of *The Wired Word* will focus on building in-person communities in which people bond over mutual love instead of shared hatred.  **Teens Bond Over Hatred, Kill Three in Mosque** ***The Wired Word*** **for the Week of May 31, 2026** **In the News** Two teenagers made a video of themselves dressed in camouflage tactical gear, marked with a white supremacist symbol, the Black Sun. They were seeking the destruction of the political system, according to a manifesto they are believed to have written, and an "all out race war for the purpose of societal collapse." The livestream, made on Monday, May 18, shows them approaching a mosque in San Diego and opening fire, killing three people. According to *The New York Times*, the teenagers "met online and bonded over shared hatreds." San Diego police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that the teenagers had been radicalized online and that one of them had access to weapons at home. Killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the city's largest mosque, were Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the center; Mansour Kaziha, manager of the mosque store; and Nader Awad, a member of the community. San Diego police hailed the three men as heroes for their actions in preventing the shooters from getting inside the building and harming children. *CNN* reports that security guard Abdullah "immediately observed" the threat as the suspects ran past and began to engage them with gunfire, before being shot. Kaziha and Awad were killed as they tried to draw the attention of the shooters away from the mosque and into the parking lot. After the shootings, the teenagers returned to a white BMW and killed themselves. Their video shows the driver aiming a handgun at the passenger and firing. Seconds later, he turns the gun toward himself, pulls the trigger and falls against the steering wheel. Law enforcement officials identified the shooters as a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old. Following the attack, investigators discovered a document in the car that laid out their worldview. The special agent in charge of the FBI's San Diego field office said that it contained "writings and various ideologies outlining religious and racial beliefs of how the world they envision should look. These subjects did not discriminate on who they hated." The agent said, "What we do believe is that they met online. Through the course of that online communication, they discovered that they were both residing in the San Diego area." Soon after the shooting, a 75-page document began to circulate online. Apparently written by the teenagers, it was similar to the document found in the car. It contains Nazi and neo-Nazi symbols, and describes how the writers were inspired by a man who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. It also speaks about the shooter who carried out a racist massacre at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in 2022. One of the sections expresses hatred toward Jews, Muslims and gay people, and includes racist and misogynistic passages. The document also lists mass killers, including those who livestreamed their massacres. The 17-year-old's former wrestling teammates described him as "awkward," and say he was someone they did not know well. In the online document, one of the writers, allegedly the 18-year-old, complains about being short, a characteristic which he blames for his lack of success with women. The mother of the 17-year-old had called the police prior to the shooting, saying that her son was missing and possibly suicidal. She told them that she could not find several of her guns and that her car was missing. Police searched for the teenagers for two hours and confiscated more than 30 guns from three homes linked to the teenagers. The weapons were registered to one of their parents. According to *Fox News*, the San Diego police chief said that the investigation "went from a runaway, suicidal individual to homicidal, potentially homicidal, two suspects." According to the website of the Islamic Center of San Diego, the center's mission is to not only serve the Muslim population, but also to "work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation." Daily prayers are offered, and the mosque works with other organizations and people of all faiths on social causes. According to *Religion Unplugged*, an imam at the center responded to the shooting by saying, "It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship. People come to the Islamic center to pray, to celebrate, to learn, not only Muslims, but we have people from all walks of life." Concludes *The New York Times*, "The attack was yet another example of how the combination of alienated young men with access to guns and a hateful online community that welcomes them can lead to a spasm of real-world violence." More on this story can be found at these links: [San Diego Attackers' Hate Manifesto Targeted Many Groups, Sought 'Destruction of Political System,' Sources Say.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAcrU8nZAtbF-2Ffanxw-2FoqZz8nuH1IkiQdJjddkQnDAmDDCOQK-2BZBNPqMgmQbMsw7GXZpynS1a9NeslNOOlWqGYFwaPA4j-2BzqG8udoZFLUgn69JaJNNz4IoMlvSFX-2F2i1WRtSPShKwjdnJCjkgBaA6db3YwSvmFBVviEpre0pb0GFT-2FHbKpAz-2FfK2YBiINqDw53pPcz8TNH4egs6pznHBq5i7FMoYqH3hDa5hANXPsin-2ByI5BFDdLess2cEpsQAE-2FcQ-3D-3DCKAG_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tRpCmSxVOGxkqgBdMrY-2FnNQfiyTST-2Fh4ZQ6jXAZRt4DlACchwB-2BsOXgfZzf0vngY3JPhPhT3BHSHmUWBdpZpsad-2FmB3hgt2rU0Pl04V4ZJJ17rLVRNX0SSyz0XZEVscw6-2Bc7cCVJ9x4jyPP7-2F3fjnrNvn-2F0I2YbMD-2Fl2gDY8ppOPIHmOy7LQuiN-2F4R-2BBNm9aeY7hgu1fVYdNUb6TB-2FqmIIk-3D) [*Hartford Sentinel*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAcrU8nZAtbF-2Ffanxw-2FoqZz8nuH1IkiQdJjddkQnDAmDDCOQK-2BZBNPqMgmQbMsw7GXZpynS1a9NeslNOOlWqGYFwaPA4j-2BzqG8udoZFLUgn69JaJNNz4IoMlvSFX-2F2i1WRtSPShKwjdnJCjkgBaA6db3YwSvmFBVviEpre0pb0GFT-2FHbKpAz-2FfK2YBiINqDw53pPcz8TNH4egs6pznHBq5i7FMoYqH3hDa5hANXPsin-2ByI5BFDdLess2cEpsQAE-2FcQ-3D-3DK-bM_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbefXT-2B7f608rElHhR-2FoWdRxoTyqdELbAaCjMyZOIbomCirYrnL420A1unNvfNzTBjfT6I8WaUHenBFpZI8P1XPTrkLSkYzetBdySLbEn0QZCda73PT437igmqnnmbrQlTONfNQBRf-2FxKauUXM8HbhMJAhJfl-2F1qAcfjpCDqd-2BSCxDoL-2FxR7PahpyTbNAoNa7jFfCtVIE2yYBu-2Bk9lGoeDU-3D) [The San Diego Mosque Shootings Were a Crime Made for and by the Internet.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9mUJJ20nSOg-2FjTAr3nv883Jj-2FIxajc77x-2FIgE2xS6321g-3D-3DL7vR_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tVmHBcCUk2LxnwQq55Kbp0cgPz7HVPc4-2Fv4uDTFQeml1BgMKhAINChSJQqkFo1y3da6kJxjwD4rZHSdVcGb2kGm2tQwyyi-2BVuVkl-2BY2pNPsoHvQ7DSaYc38qUTZTnjF2oWVtDJdEE-2BXLc5eePCr2ut5gxP0NcfiPwY37d53vGmQnh2wLljhwD9UZbrBaqfjqY0NaN58yN8tC5meuQPdVDWQ-3D) [*The New York Times*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9mUJJ20nSOg-2FjTAr3nv883Jj-2FIxajc77x-2FIgE2xS6321g-3D-3DBlEy_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tWAYq2421fWZPdtxZ7A6N5nJHdcdQ0gonPVx058VlF5QM1xKhe4h2HRFOe9VGQ1j2OdUo0Xt0djAEWhWvgPcutIkg4MrP7BiXVRLPm85Rnigacc6r54n5qnOYST38Bjz4qqU4pL1UBy2nRTp8yH8dwklr536Qhu7cK2mUz946MyiXdamVNtTyHIPxLgY3jciqRnassbOYiFAdKO-2FdpORrLY-3D) [Three People Killed in Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting Tried to Draw Gunmen Away From Mosque, Police Say.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUSpdxy33y22IsxevF-2FUVB8A-3D-3D82Lb_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tT1WOwqWQHOm-2B6q-2FShK7gy8DKVSnUqQ9RDh343M-2BZ0vS6Y-2BR2PFnU06msQVgclBCnEQBd82on6NFYzp4rFi8q4H8jFkE0n1VN9ouRSkymAUnA1-2FLKp36qqtgzIEDhQX3fuM-2B4i3oVNsSiFqkZuEQRmOfRtns8Ab6onAmvsp0NRFHzYH-2BYgfGEoURyJXVp9SoM7FawTTeIpA9iFOo34LDgFA-3D) [*CNN*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUSpdxy33y22IsxevF-2FUVB8A-3D-3DrZn2_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbFF3artdKWMoB6IzG-2B43YZgTpixKL4fWEPIth08X-2BD5KrhayP-2BiL-2BHK3bUmlXoZn74tYs7JsgsyS3tExjjwGA-2BvjzeKy1E0o-2Fgs0Q-2B1nBrutp22suYUg4QQBsdVL0-2F-2FvdRHhia5VW6sy6gI5V6dRbgxc2yzLeJnqoV-2B0DHQuFHA-2F11NNQ2XKaGln7iqboxclCG-2Faoaei90KlxGSCi7z9CQ-3D) [Before Deadly San Diego Mosque Shooting, Mother Called Police With Concerning Warning.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUGX-2FJkDfFuZ2y3CA36lgEIaFFiaQGBMw-2Fb4T4IfUBJsitUeuX9-2BYucKHvW2fQ8G6-2BY-3DEfwN_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tQ69H7QKANjKjd8NXa3yokkToYIZ-2FgzR7va0yaGFyKGYEUbM6Bb6gGbwPvIbniD7RQDJpeTk4u7-2BjQWkOGW2R8R1nHab8T3Mk-2FiLiNhElz6MRfiIBnsysYd6Oh5SiaAwQQl-2BcisLFtaB9bg7K-2BsQj4Ujq9d8kmqZJtXFG40ERj54DaXxruWDSoVqNrmyxBUaqAsvlASn86A5xal5ShPVjVk-3D) [*Fox News*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUGX-2FJkDfFuZ2y3CA36lgEIaFFiaQGBMw-2Fb4T4IfUBJsitUeuX9-2BYucKHvW2fQ8G6-2BY-3DrDBX_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tcbDUYifYwGgYJakIQ8Qjs-2BjbX3C1qMSYA66wbox-2Bl0-2FJ2F8-2FcIsn9v5bQl-2FNdVxj6hw5SZY0AqjUcWHVKHkp8Zh9Od2Vu5X-2BTfhGHOfixqvQ-2FyotAkSFnNcsnaQNWMf4-2Fodj8-2BP4lWw6o2utSu8xyOSXbxJgnRjKtyknnPO-2B7YYe3TVJORpBqyRCiq3MCMRnZ-2Bug0H5P6YHWZJTgikAl4E-3D) [3 killed at San Diego Mosque as Anti-Muslim Hate Surges Nationwide.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUJP4LAundK4YeVty0dJ3vOw-3D-3DbOpm_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6ta6-2B2oe-2F4exBA24Nvr5eHc3U6mNWe7Vrlie1xM0TpUrCcJjaw0bJ4KTVfrGqyTESFARLoSLeeM6S8W5-2FvVeocIylx5UxOnJlF1gtTryWdZO97Amo6FlFg6Gu5XSDxEXN9-2BEblhn780H-2BZ4wGJgH-2FbsWAFSlztHFhYBt7ivW6kGgKF-2BSUfBqKVr3iWVK-2F2yNDaAZ2slp3enIfv9DIgNd6Q6I-3D) [*Religion Unplugged*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUJP4LAundK4YeVty0dJ3vOw-3D-3DVjLi_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbkXcJmpct6oXNbaKyQ8PbYImwGtbDCBDIkBqV85vHYc1q16DH4Bt6fdvu09aiKYANaW0MnjGgQiU6i68gKIdKJvNAN1ABel3UJE6KVpDCc6CxnrotpPuXMK9Qu14BG39k305T8x4rlW-2FSIcJ9Ncp-2FmWeGkQS8noJQw6qTe9VO-2Fv-2F5PRuIA5wQL25gSjMzJFjRMqMdBkm5pd7eKRXH-2FtGeo-3D) **Applying the News Story** Use this story of teenagers radicalized online and connected through shared hate as an opportunity to discuss what you and your church can do to build in-person communities in which people bond over mutual love and service to others. **The Big Questions** 1. What is your experience of people being radicalized online? How does internet communication push people toward extreme views, if at all? 2. When have you seen people bond over hate? Why are people united by having a shared enemy, real or imagined? 3. The Islamic Center of San Diego says that it works "with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation." How does your church do similar work? What is the value of such efforts? 4. Where do you see people suffering from isolation and alienation? What can you do about it, as an individual and Christian community? 5. What is the value of gathering a community in-person, as opposed to online? How do you build mutual love and encourage service to others? Be specific. **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Ecclesiastes 4:9-12***Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other, but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.* (For context, read [Ecclesiastes 4:7-12](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxwo1yRV2l8a4Gm-2FxomKEKNWlPgXKK68SZA1d2c-2BHYXRt6hLsIrywgkLSxVpQpbToAnVPd_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tXiaaKf2lwAn5KUoQSrV01fwuwP6o-2BuW30UVfmBBZc4VgytY2Dc6c-2Bn4z69RiPrrmLCRJWmjymQKD2lOsQ33Y7I4SMxTEqZAfoUnmSlgc13LtgNDPKAqW5ixwnOp-2F-2BpCaknplUwsrIce8NwjdRvJiQnznjF7Ct-2Be8qF56vMgsE26hZ-2B6KHjqdh-2BFa5oSzY8bUUyCMYzCaeCgLT1lrV4pHLg-3D).) According to "the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1), there is great value in companionship. He looks at "solitary individuals, without sons or brothers," and sees that they work endlessly, only to find that "their eyes are never satisfied with riches" (4:8). Two are better than one, says the Teacher, because "they have a good reward for their toil." Working together, they can support each other in hardship, and if they fall, "one will lift up the other." They can keep each other warm in bed, and can also experience success in warfare, when two "withstand one." The proverb, "A threefold cord is not quickly broken," appears not only in the Bible but in the Epic of Gilgamesh. It has been applied not only to human companionship, but to the "threefold cord" that is created when a married couple puts their trust in God. > **Questions:** What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a solitary individual? Where have you found value in companionship, and where have you faced challenges? What binds you most strongly to your companions? **Acts 2:44-45***All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.* (For context, read [Acts 2:42-47](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdO90EW-2B3UHrQQRmRxgrB1JXoLn96O4MwsqlJzEOpt77gEPWicLqvBvwVy9Hrf067ZZ1-_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tUrdukX1NUi1TAXaZEtteud-2F3xGvLXoVUlaj42F9udbUufkFceeUo4NJMZZl-2BTqK5MZn3Lxi4M-2Foh3cOvV8ed4lb8jI6qzsEXHKaTgKwq4Uerxb8EkhdTCLdr0vm81Gbzw4IVMkS5jgyQRX7KEuSRYyJbuWnI7Lebrmx8JPyLi4blMRwdAW1quYHzgt-2FDzDBMoNVYO78zZ6-2F4EUcHj9rAL0-3D).) According to Acts, the first followers of Christ quickly developed a healthy set of practices for life in community. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" -- these four activities were the daily disciplines of the community of faith (2:42). Members were devoted to the "apostles' teaching," to the lessons being passed on by those who had an eyewitness view of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The first followers of Christ were focused on "fellowship," on deep friendship that included passionate concern for each other's spiritual and physical well-being. They were regular participants in "the breaking of bread," in the practice of sharing full meals -- more than simply Communion -- as a sign of their social and spiritual solidarity. They were committed to the practice of prayer, to the worship of a gracious God who had restored Jesus to life, and had restored each one of them as well. Teaching. Fellowship. Breaking of bread. Prayers. These are the activities that generated "many wonders and signs" which left everyone in awe (v. 43). The practice of fellowship inspired church members to "sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." The prayers of the people broke out of the minimal requirements of Sabbath-day observances, with Luke telling us that "they spent much time together in the temple," day by day (v. 46). The enthusiasm of community members spilled over into the breaking of the bread, for they "ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people" (vv. 46-47). And the result was that "day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (v. 47). > **Questions:** How does your church practice teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers? What is the impact on your life together? How do such practices inspire you to care for people in need? What is the value of practicing the faith in person, instead of in isolation? **Hebrews 10:24-25***And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.* (For context, read [Hebrews 10:19-25](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxfhOLPuUklFplPPD2VWbSPGydXlLCOethf5xXv9S1-2Fg6DTz9i2KuaylAXba1Vig76-QLy_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tey1E7AcBSQ0V2Yk03-2FypyUFEnOBF-2FIQkM79sd1t3gxZD3YdBLmM35E75e5JBRm1nOqUz8Ow9qlAyTV02TyUZD1r9-2Fs4-2B-2BG9eWMIxMj5TGNAYRJukVFsDnfC-2FQJ7kRup3GAFkuO9MIX1jcnHHGiwSXWlZu4kReiAfzP7tDQ8Ro3W7xZEKqAayiWcYdNlEKcmOcfeSLiG7stIbq0-2BT-2BwOa24-3D).) The letter to the Hebrews gives us an excellent blueprint for Christian life. First, we "enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus" (10:19), trusting the sacrifice of Christ to make us right with God. Having received forgiveness, we can "approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean" (v. 22). This enables us to "hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering" (v. 23). Next, we "provoke one another to love and good deeds." We need the support of other people in order to live a faithful Christian life, so Hebrews challenges us to "provoke" one another. Normally, we use the word provoke in a negative way, describing actions that cause anger or resentment. But it can also mean to stir a person to action, and this is why Hebrews asks us to provoke one another to love and good deeds. As Christians, we are challenged to provoke each other to seek counseling when troubles arise. Provoke each other to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. Provoke each other to welcome a stranger, mentor a teenager, or participate in a short-term mission project. There is nothing negative about provoking one another, if it is to greater love and good deeds. Finally, we need to "meet together" in ways that involve "encouraging one another." These gatherings can include services of worship, small group Bible studies, youth group meetings, mission teams, musical groups, men's groups and women's groups. The point is that we meet together as a community, in ways that encourage one another. Remember how discouraging it was to be quarantined at home during the pandemic, unable to attend worship services or gatherings of any kind? Yes, two-dimensional online meetings were better than nothing, but not nearly as uplifting as the opportunity to see each other in three dimensions. The Greek word for church is *ekklesia*, which means an "assembly or congregation." This is a reminder to us that gathering is an essential part of the life of the church, especially when we meet together in ways that are encouraging to each other. > **Questions:** In your church, how do you provoke one another to love and good deeds, instead of to anger and resentment? What do you do to meet together and encourage one another? How does this build up the church and serve the larger community? **1 John 2:11***But whoever hates a brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.* (For context, read [1 John 2:7-11](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxgb98dt-2BAwcnX5I0t2fHJjFErPXjxppLQlB-2B-2BfNdMrlv71ftm26zUkO8WJQ4wmwMlnuRs_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tdV62kU-2Bq8ZR0UHrAzM33yWY-2FaPQJbZK0Czavp8OYiwDKp-2BGCpE9W-2BHAd0NlU418kRjkzVmfkQsKUpoxZS8-2Bb2GkUOENEcWkmA-2FWtR927U0YPZvSQ3rU9nG-2BKdvSnuu6zQunzTducXGaT9-2Br-2FvQ1DNEkb6uMRDjGBeKoKilhuyDbMWqHGkyEAobr19u1IVIyJAowS-2Bvs-2B9Q9WUHYY2uAAJI-3D).) The first letter of John is an attempt to define a community's identity and to describe a moral way of life. In the second chapter, John talks about what it means to walk in the light -- that is, to walk in the way that Jesus walked. John stresses that it is impossible to say "I am in the light" while hating a brother or a sister (2:9). There is no way to align the light of Christ with hate for a neighbor. John says that "whoever hates a brother or sister is in the darkness" and "does not know the way to go." The darkness of hatred can blind a person and cause them to stumble. In John, darkness is always connected to impurity, falsehood and hatred. On the other hand, whoever "loves a brother or sister abides in the light," which prevents a person from stumbling (v. 10). The word "abide" appears 23 times in 1 John, and it means to "remain" or "stay" in fellowship with God, the one always associated with purity, truth and love. Later, John will say, "if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (4:12-13). > **Questions:** Why is hate associated with darkness, and how does it prevent us from knowing the right way to go? When have you seen hatred causing a person to stumble? What damage did they do to themselves and others? **For Further Discussion** 1. After a deadly shooting in Cleveland, [churches focused on meeting the immediate needs](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9ltQdrhzr0ImNDbPYN88XPy0D0crX3o460-2FFUOqQpucLw-3D-3DYPXf_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbqg0gvq0P6FvgZ-2FrV-2B-2BYuBV5dIybuVyKWd9gN9R6uuedC1k8ZZv5qFFHZzQTN9JRs4On5MkGUnP4gr1-2Bc-2FVu70JMhajwB5cfmKwI7pjXOnElhG5rp6Yj2u3oRZfATF0vmTZckHWB-2By09vrEGaGBiq4w25ZJppiJUVAwzs-2BKGJy9LrR6HRFmr9JQsq5kvhWNAJwXG9tsKDuaLOqd6y2SP4k-3D) of the community in an effort to strengthen connections and reduce risk factors. They offered food outreach, hot-meal outreach, and clothing drives in an effort to be a resource in the community. How can such efforts help to strengthen and protect a community? What would your church be willing to do in such a situation, if anything? 2. In the wake of the mosque killings, "you can see the clouds of a storm forming again," [writes scholar Hussein Rashid](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9ltQdrhzr0ImNDbPYN88XPyNBFYzpHuIVv11fESedi1HQ-3D-3DCBWn_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tdz9bnoYBS-2FMauQhBe0m9BZsG6KZo1MWNUwTmVuPMKWY4iq7s2F2aim40ciVZOzIhrnCW-2FhxMB-2F-2BGRvhj3uuAt-2FCQ3V-2FAM4hcQ-2BiIcOLjXAhvO9xe2VDgXz-2BTvs-2B7-2FI3Bs7xxYJaaSDNKphDf0vGKnkTAff-2BuB6mUokAD2lY-2BMlvXZK-2B5F8-2FCIicKFdF-2FtQqBIUpS-2BRl-2F-2BC-2FJQwf7exfPBo-3D). He is moved "to speak out for justice." Instead of seeing the storm as a time of fear, he sees it as an opportunity for hope. "We can make something new, but only by facing what has come before now. This is America." Discuss. 3. [A Tulane University study](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIjbZI7zgsFq1vi5wz0KCpNiFwlsAs9MEH8zm0ID3dxZwCl7PUU6OfjVKRpwZpbDJQqlP3EDHu5eMy0EzF1Al71dg6ZgY0eZJitmqjUq4x3C0Ptve63eDVVcv-2BE-2FGE70SQ-3D-3D9g44_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tfKKrm7KHR7XsavaWrJ-2FsY-2FXUHxau1sA-2B3nc20u1hVW1uxfK8HN1IC8CUhwZQz7qwaZKgytqIpH-2BSUmFDaTmRG6xOsV9bcByE-2FCOcxTSUVAxeeTGXRnJP5MKMiQ35pQXpbYbZjA3nfVTBm03Q9cuVvtQB9izNIjNpXh0j-2BmcftYMf027VnrsdaHIhr70xbmb8kG4pbcBE5Hu-2BQ2gfBqGRBk-3D) explains why politically charged content gets more engagement from those who disagree. The study analyzed data from Twitter, Facebook and online experiments over time, and found that users frequently react to opposing viewpoints with heightened engagement, often driven by outrage. How might such "rage clicks" amplify hate online? What can in-person Christian communities do to counter such outrage, if anything? How might you deal with the trend that the acceptance of political violence has doubled for those under 45 compared to older people? 4. After the killings in San Diego, faith leaders came together for a vigil. [The Rev. Meg Decker reminded members of the gathering](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUSpdxy33y22IsxevF-2FUVB8A-3D-3DUj6j_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tQ21awAlOKgXJuFkewUMxldqj2-2FtWBul90lN4IFqHIa-2BMysBAwrzvBQTCWDMswSGgl1wtlZSUiNphIXMVlJBKQdj7ZdBCnFZfSyaHqjKJu7wS3-2FLsfRjyJgqgbhqDkAE6A0TXKJD-2BYIQ9deQhKFTPt9cLVEh3LSIfw-2FVxvfmclzkd2o3n2GyfdUkbRrY8MK7bFLmLeZeoLpcaWtx9-2BbqTac-3D) that while the act of mourning is heartbreaking, it shows the strength of their love. The reason "why mourning is a blessing is because it reminds us of the price and the value of love. It reminds us that love is the one thing that lasts," Decker said. "For all of us who are not part of the Islamic Center, may we take this on ourselves to teach our neighbors, to teach each other to be in mourning together." If you were part of the interfaith vigil, what would you have said? What message would you like to send the Muslim community? **Responding to the News** Look for people in your church and community who may be isolated or alienated, and reach out to them in Christian love. Make an effort to serve the less fortunate and care for your community. Support activities in your church that gather people together, in ways that build mutual love and encourage service to others. **Prayer** God of all goodness, help us to walk in the light by loving our brothers and sisters, in church and community. Shake us out of isolation, and gather us together for worship and service. May we provoke each other to love and good deeds, following the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ****Copyright 2026 Communication Resources**** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=EW371NizdQKkWoKLLCMWRzqvWiNLGzfx3muSrv8bZ0doMDAwdTAwMBvbDoCq4-o8JiqJRMoehkAm2MaqVq0hSLUGNdas_ZUpcdGLbF4U2Bd9yCddjegmCB0g356-zJhiJFLqsSRbZS428H0HPZLPeVWibc2vMQyoqtaTavvOK_PJpD8e9ItJr2MfWQGx2YwfsiC2B7Y04e-wbuKwvZck4LHh3vbGU_eyfBzYVCp6_CMOyz-gTSEx-jAq0BgNiblwQKXWbt8fz6lSeJ3GQWm9y7hYkd07aYbt_mykwSYWsY2CbEfDXXhzjQwv7apDnQ24cfedLToZbVngcB57rC-numbZYMqO5vHIWgp7r8BqYJAFuq-g1rwVQh1BYleQdgFFGFi_061gPiMEYsCv_obLJ7Q689yKpwUQmpEhiPpPoyhoQypDmCzhBsnMDdiA-oE_AVVK9iX1FhkDywUXFAqcZwx_2-f4Af51XCf5TTZ56Z34WceNMWq_pugwhAEspbhGTY_DH8J73oeZCtlnR12pjGvduMTsIjVCWPEcG3UQSgo_EshuDfLUBh_5YbEnW2MVzwe3P13-6t2HBHBh1CwulFDt0jxesx4HOKEYK6AtJEhQFtVRoOJSPg_HwhJRXziL58OWu-8BivU=) <div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Dear Class Members,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Three people have been killed in a shooting at San Diego’s largest mosque, and two teen suspects appear to have been radicalized online. In response, this installment of <em>The Wired Word</em> will focus on building in-person communities in which people bond over mutual love instead of shared hatred.</span></p> <br/><center><img src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/></center> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #222222; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Teens Bond Over Hatred, Kill Three in Mosque</span></strong></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The Wired Word</span></em></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> for the Week of May 31, 2026</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In the News</span></strong></p> <div style="mso-element: para-border-div; border: none #212121 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; background: white;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Two teenagers made a video of themselves dressed in camouflage tactical gear, marked with a white supremacist symbol, the Black Sun. They were seeking the destruction of the political system, according to a manifesto they are believed to have written, and an "all out race war for the purpose of societal collapse." The livestream, made on Monday, May 18, shows them approaching a mosque in San Diego and opening fire, killing three people.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">According to <em>The New York Times</em>, the teenagers "met online and bonded over shared hatreds." San Diego police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that the teenagers had been radicalized online and that one of them had access to weapons at home.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the city's largest mosque, were Amin Abdullah, a security guard at the center; Mansour Kaziha, manager of the mosque store; and Nader Awad, a member of the community. San Diego police hailed the three men as heroes for their actions in preventing the shooters from getting inside the building and harming children. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">CNN</span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> reports that security guard Abdullah "immediately observed" the threat as the suspects ran past and began to engage them with gunfire, before being shot. Kaziha and Awad were killed as they tried to draw the attention of the shooters away from the mosque and into the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">After the shootings, the teenagers returned to a white BMW and killed themselves. Their video shows the driver aiming a handgun at the passenger and firing. Seconds later, he turns the gun toward himself, pulls the trigger and falls against the steering wheel. Law enforcement officials identified the shooters as a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Following the attack, investigators discovered a document in the car that laid out their worldview. The special agent in charge of the FBI's San Diego field office said that it contained "writings and various ideologies outlining religious and racial beliefs of how the world they envision should look. These subjects did not discriminate on who they hated." The agent said, "What we do believe is that they met online. Through the course of that online communication, they discovered that they were both residing in the San Diego area." </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Soon after the shooting, a 75-page document began to circulate online. Apparently written by the teenagers, it was similar to the document found in the car. It contains Nazi and neo-Nazi symbols, and describes how the writers were inspired by a man who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. It also speaks about the shooter who carried out a racist massacre at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in 2022. One of the sections expresses hatred toward Jews, Muslims and gay people, and includes racist and misogynistic passages. The document also lists mass killers, including those who livestreamed their massacres.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The 17-year-old's former wrestling teammates described him as "awkward," and say he was someone they did not know well. In the online document, one of the writers, allegedly the 18-year-old, complains about being short, a characteristic which he blames for his lack of success with women</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #363636; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The mother of the 17-year-old had called the police prior to the shooting, saying that her son was missing and possibly suicidal. She told them that she could not find several of her guns and that her car was missing. Police searched for the teenagers for two hours and confiscated more than 30 guns from three homes linked to the teenagers. The weapons were registered to one of their parents. According to <em>Fox News</em>, the San Diego police chief said that the investigation "went from a runaway, suicidal individual to homicidal, potentially homicidal, two suspects."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">According to the website of the Islamic Center of San Diego, the center's mission is to not only serve the Muslim population, but also to "work with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation." Daily prayers are offered, and the mosque works with other organizations and people of all faiths on social causes. According to <em>Religion Unplugged</em>, an imam at the center responded to the shooting by saying, "It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship. People come to the Islamic center to pray, to celebrate, to learn, not only Muslims, but we have people from all walks of life."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Concludes <em>The New York Times</em>, "The attack was yet another example of how the combination of alienated young men with access to guns and a hateful online community that welcomes them can lead to a spasm of real-world violence."</span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">More on this story can be found at these links:</span></p> <div style="mso-element: para-border-div; border: none #212121 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; background: white;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAcrU8nZAtbF-2Ffanxw-2FoqZz8nuH1IkiQdJjddkQnDAmDDCOQK-2BZBNPqMgmQbMsw7GXZpynS1a9NeslNOOlWqGYFwaPA4j-2BzqG8udoZFLUgn69JaJNNz4IoMlvSFX-2F2i1WRtSPShKwjdnJCjkgBaA6db3YwSvmFBVviEpre0pb0GFT-2FHbKpAz-2FfK2YBiINqDw53pPcz8TNH4egs6pznHBq5i7FMoYqH3hDa5hANXPsin-2ByI5BFDdLess2cEpsQAE-2FcQ-3D-3DCKAG\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tRpCmSxVOGxkqgBdMrY-2FnNQfiyTST-2Fh4ZQ6jXAZRt4DlACchwB-2BsOXgfZzf0vngY3JPhPhT3BHSHmUWBdpZpsad-2FmB3hgt2rU0Pl04V4ZJJ17rLVRNX0SSyz0XZEVscw6-2Bc7cCVJ9x4jyPP7-2F3fjnrNvn-2F0I2YbMD-2Fl2gDY8ppOPIHmOy7LQuiN-2F4R-2BBNm9aeY7hgu1fVYdNUb6TB-2FqmIIk-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">San Diego Attackers' Hate Manifesto Targeted Many Groups, Sought 'Destruction of Political System,' Sources Say. </span></a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPAcrU8nZAtbF-2Ffanxw-2FoqZz8nuH1IkiQdJjddkQnDAmDDCOQK-2BZBNPqMgmQbMsw7GXZpynS1a9NeslNOOlWqGYFwaPA4j-2BzqG8udoZFLUgn69JaJNNz4IoMlvSFX-2F2i1WRtSPShKwjdnJCjkgBaA6db3YwSvmFBVviEpre0pb0GFT-2FHbKpAz-2FfK2YBiINqDw53pPcz8TNH4egs6pznHBq5i7FMoYqH3hDa5hANXPsin-2ByI5BFDdLess2cEpsQAE-2FcQ-3D-3DK-bM\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbefXT-2B7f608rElHhR-2FoWdRxoTyqdELbAaCjMyZOIbomCirYrnL420A1unNvfNzTBjfT6I8WaUHenBFpZI8P1XPTrkLSkYzetBdySLbEn0QZCda73PT437igmqnnmbrQlTONfNQBRf-2FxKauUXM8HbhMJAhJfl-2F1qAcfjpCDqd-2BSCxDoL-2FxR7PahpyTbNAoNa7jFfCtVIE2yYBu-2Bk9lGoeDU-3D"><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Hartford Sentinel</span></em></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9mUJJ20nSOg-2FjTAr3nv883Jj-2FIxajc77x-2FIgE2xS6321g-3D-3DL7vR\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tVmHBcCUk2LxnwQq55Kbp0cgPz7HVPc4-2Fv4uDTFQeml1BgMKhAINChSJQqkFo1y3da6kJxjwD4rZHSdVcGb2kGm2tQwyyi-2BVuVkl-2BY2pNPsoHvQ7DSaYc38qUTZTnjF2oWVtDJdEE-2BXLc5eePCr2ut5gxP0NcfiPwY37d53vGmQnh2wLljhwD9UZbrBaqfjqY0NaN58yN8tC5meuQPdVDWQ-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The San Diego Mosque Shootings Were a Crime Made for and by the Internet. </span></a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9mUJJ20nSOg-2FjTAr3nv883Jj-2FIxajc77x-2FIgE2xS6321g-3D-3DBlEy\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tWAYq2421fWZPdtxZ7A6N5nJHdcdQ0gonPVx058VlF5QM1xKhe4h2HRFOe9VGQ1j2OdUo0Xt0djAEWhWvgPcutIkg4MrP7BiXVRLPm85Rnigacc6r54n5qnOYST38Bjz4qqU4pL1UBy2nRTp8yH8dwklr536Qhu7cK2mUz946MyiXdamVNtTyHIPxLgY3jciqRnassbOYiFAdKO-2FdpORrLY-3D"><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The New York Times</span></em></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUSpdxy33y22IsxevF-2FUVB8A-3D-3D82Lb\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tT1WOwqWQHOm-2B6q-2FShK7gy8DKVSnUqQ9RDh343M-2BZ0vS6Y-2BR2PFnU06msQVgclBCnEQBd82on6NFYzp4rFi8q4H8jFkE0n1VN9ouRSkymAUnA1-2FLKp36qqtgzIEDhQX3fuM-2B4i3oVNsSiFqkZuEQRmOfRtns8Ab6onAmvsp0NRFHzYH-2BYgfGEoURyJXVp9SoM7FawTTeIpA9iFOo34LDgFA-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Three People Killed in Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting Tried to Draw Gunmen Away From Mosque, Police Say. </span></a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUSpdxy33y22IsxevF-2FUVB8A-3D-3DrZn2\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbFF3artdKWMoB6IzG-2B43YZgTpixKL4fWEPIth08X-2BD5KrhayP-2BiL-2BHK3bUmlXoZn74tYs7JsgsyS3tExjjwGA-2BvjzeKy1E0o-2Fgs0Q-2B1nBrutp22suYUg4QQBsdVL0-2F-2FvdRHhia5VW6sy6gI5V6dRbgxc2yzLeJnqoV-2B0DHQuFHA-2F11NNQ2XKaGln7iqboxclCG-2Faoaei90KlxGSCi7z9CQ-3D"><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">CNN</span></em></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; border-bottom: 0in none #212121; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0in none #212121; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUGX-2FJkDfFuZ2y3CA36lgEIaFFiaQGBMw-2Fb4T4IfUBJsitUeuX9-2BYucKHvW2fQ8G6-2BY-3DEfwN\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tQ69H7QKANjKjd8NXa3yokkToYIZ-2FgzR7va0yaGFyKGYEUbM6Bb6gGbwPvIbniD7RQDJpeTk4u7-2BjQWkOGW2R8R1nHab8T3Mk-2FiLiNhElz6MRfiIBnsysYd6Oh5SiaAwQQl-2BcisLFtaB9bg7K-2BsQj4Ujq9d8kmqZJtXFG40ERj54DaXxruWDSoVqNrmyxBUaqAsvlASn86A5xal5ShPVjVk-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc;">Before Deadly San Diego Mosque Shooting, Mother Called Police With Concerning Warning. </span></a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUGX-2FJkDfFuZ2y3CA36lgEIaFFiaQGBMw-2Fb4T4IfUBJsitUeuX9-2BYucKHvW2fQ8G6-2BY-3DrDBX\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tcbDUYifYwGgYJakIQ8Qjs-2BjbX3C1qMSYA66wbox-2Bl0-2FJ2F8-2FcIsn9v5bQl-2FNdVxj6hw5SZY0AqjUcWHVKHkp8Zh9Od2Vu5X-2BTfhGHOfixqvQ-2FyotAkSFnNcsnaQNWMf4-2Fodj8-2BP4lWw6o2utSu8xyOSXbxJgnRjKtyknnPO-2B7YYe3TVJORpBqyRCiq3MCMRnZ-2Bug0H5P6YHWZJTgikAl4E-3D"><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc;">Fox News</span></em></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; padding-top: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUJP4LAundK4YeVty0dJ3vOw-3D-3DbOpm\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6ta6-2B2oe-2F4exBA24Nvr5eHc3U6mNWe7Vrlie1xM0TpUrCcJjaw0bJ4KTVfrGqyTESFARLoSLeeM6S8W5-2FvVeocIylx5UxOnJlF1gtTryWdZO97Amo6FlFg6Gu5XSDxEXN9-2BEblhn780H-2BZ4wGJgH-2FbsWAFSlztHFhYBt7ivW6kGgKF-2BSUfBqKVr3iWVK-2F2yNDaAZ2slp3enIfv9DIgNd6Q6I-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">3 killed at San Diego Mosque as Anti-Muslim Hate Surges Nationwide. </span></a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUJP4LAundK4YeVty0dJ3vOw-3D-3DVjLi\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbkXcJmpct6oXNbaKyQ8PbYImwGtbDCBDIkBqV85vHYc1q16DH4Bt6fdvu09aiKYANaW0MnjGgQiU6i68gKIdKJvNAN1ABel3UJE6KVpDCc6CxnrotpPuXMK9Qu14BG39k305T8x4rlW-2FSIcJ9Ncp-2FmWeGkQS8noJQw6qTe9VO-2Fv-2F5PRuIA5wQL25gSjMzJFjRMqMdBkm5pd7eKRXH-2FtGeo-3D"><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Religion Unplugged</span></em></a></span><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span></em></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Applying the News Story </span></strong></p> <div style="mso-element: para-border-div; border: none #212121 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; background: white;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; background: white; border: none; mso-border-alt: none #212121 0in; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-border-between: 0in none #212121; mso-padding-between: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Use this story of teenagers radicalized online and connected through shared hate as an opportunity to discuss what you and your church can do to build in-person communities in which people bond over mutual love and service to others.</span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The Big Questions</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1. What is your experience of people being radicalized online? How does internet communication push people toward extreme views, if at all?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2. When have you seen people bond over hate? Why are people united by having a shared enemy, real or imagined?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">3. The Islamic Center of San Diego says that it works "with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation." How does your church do similar work? What is the value of such efforts?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">4. Where do you see people suffering from isolation and alienation? What can you do about it, as an individual and Christian community?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">5. What is the value of gathering a community in-person, as opposed to online? How do you build mutual love and encourage service to others? Be specific.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope<br/></span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Ecclesiastes 4:9-12<br/></span></u></strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other, but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxwo1yRV2l8a4Gm-2FxomKEKNWlPgXKK68SZA1d2c-2BHYXRt6hLsIrywgkLSxVpQpbToAnVPd\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tXiaaKf2lwAn5KUoQSrV01fwuwP6o-2BuW30UVfmBBZc4VgytY2Dc6c-2Bn4z69RiPrrmLCRJWmjymQKD2lOsQ33Y7I4SMxTEqZAfoUnmSlgc13LtgNDPKAqW5ixwnOp-2F-2BpCaknplUwsrIce8NwjdRvJiQnznjF7Ct-2Be8qF56vMgsE26hZ-2B6KHjqdh-2BFa5oSzY8bUUyCMYzCaeCgLT1lrV4pHLg-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Ecclesiastes 4:7-12</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">According to "the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1), there is great value in companionship. He looks at "solitary individuals, without sons or brothers," and sees that they work endlessly, only to find that "their eyes are never satisfied with riches" (4:8). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Two are better than one, says the Teacher, because "they have a good reward for their toil." Working together, they can support each other in hardship, and if they fall, "one will lift up the other." They can keep each other warm in bed, and can also experience success in warfare, when two "withstand one." The proverb, "A threefold cord is not quickly broken," appears not only in the Bible but in the Epic of Gilgamesh. It has been applied not only to human companionship, but to the "threefold cord" that is created when a married couple puts their trust in God.</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a solitary individual? Where have you found value in companionship, and where have you faced challenges? What binds you most strongly to your companions?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Acts 2:44-45<br/></span></u></strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxdO90EW-2B3UHrQQRmRxgrB1JXoLn96O4MwsqlJzEOpt77gEPWicLqvBvwVy9Hrf067ZZ1-\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tUrdukX1NUi1TAXaZEtteud-2F3xGvLXoVUlaj42F9udbUufkFceeUo4NJMZZl-2BTqK5MZn3Lxi4M-2Foh3cOvV8ed4lb8jI6qzsEXHKaTgKwq4Uerxb8EkhdTCLdr0vm81Gbzw4IVMkS5jgyQRX7KEuSRYyJbuWnI7Lebrmx8JPyLi4blMRwdAW1quYHzgt-2FDzDBMoNVYO78zZ6-2F4EUcHj9rAL0-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Acts 2:42-47</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">According to Acts, the first followers of Christ quickly developed a healthy set of practices for life in community. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" -- these four activities were the daily disciplines of the community of faith (2:42). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Members were devoted to the "apostles' teaching," to the lessons being passed on by those who had an eyewitness view of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The first followers of Christ were focused on "fellowship," on deep friendship that included passionate concern for each other's spiritual and physical well-being. They were regular participants in "the breaking of bread," in the practice of sharing full meals -- more than simply Communion -- as a sign of their social and spiritual solidarity. They were committed to the practice of prayer, to the worship of a gracious God who had restored Jesus to life, and had restored each one of them as well.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Teaching. Fellowship. Breaking of bread. Prayers. These are the activities that generated "many wonders and signs" which left everyone in awe (v. 43). The practice of fellowship inspired church members to "sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." The prayers of the people broke out of the minimal requirements of Sabbath-day observances, with Luke telling us that "they spent much time together in the temple," day by day (v. 46). The enthusiasm of community members spilled over into the breaking of the bread, for they "ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people" (vv. 46-47). And the result was that "day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (v. 47).</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">How does your church practice teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers? What is the impact on your life together? How do such practices inspire you to care for people in need? What is the value of practicing the faith in person, instead of in isolation?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Hebrews 10:24-25<br/></span></u></strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxfhOLPuUklFplPPD2VWbSPGydXlLCOethf5xXv9S1-2Fg6DTz9i2KuaylAXba1Vig76-QLy\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tey1E7AcBSQ0V2Yk03-2FypyUFEnOBF-2FIQkM79sd1t3gxZD3YdBLmM35E75e5JBRm1nOqUz8Ow9qlAyTV02TyUZD1r9-2Fs4-2B-2BG9eWMIxMj5TGNAYRJukVFsDnfC-2FQJ7kRup3GAFkuO9MIX1jcnHHGiwSXWlZu4kReiAfzP7tDQ8Ro3W7xZEKqAayiWcYdNlEKcmOcfeSLiG7stIbq0-2BT-2BwOa24-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Hebrews 10:19-25</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The letter to the Hebrews gives us an excellent blueprint for Christian life. First, we "enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus" (10:19), trusting the sacrifice of Christ to make us right with God. Having received forgiveness, we can "approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean" (v. 22). This enables us to "hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering" (v. 23).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Next, we "provoke one another to love and good deeds." We need the support of other people in order to live a faithful Christian life, so Hebrews challenges us to "provoke" one another. Normally, we use the word provoke in a negative way, describing actions that cause anger or resentment. But it can also mean to stir a person to action, and this is why Hebrews asks us to provoke one another to love and good deeds.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">As Christians, we are challenged to provoke each other to seek counseling when troubles arise. Provoke each other to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. Provoke each other to welcome a stranger, mentor a teenager, or participate in a short-term mission project. There is nothing negative about provoking one another, if it is to greater love and good deeds.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Finally, we need to "meet together" in ways that involve "encouraging one another." These gatherings can include services of worship, small group Bible studies, youth group meetings, mission teams, musical groups, men's groups and women's groups. The point is that we meet together as a community, in ways that encourage one another.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Remember how discouraging it was to be quarantined at home during the pandemic, unable to attend worship services or gatherings of any kind? Yes, two-dimensional online meetings were better than nothing, but not nearly as uplifting as the opportunity to see each other in three dimensions. The Greek word for church is <em>ekklesia</em>, which means an "assembly or congregation." This is a reminder to us that gathering is an essential part of the life of the church, especially when we meet together in ways that are encouraging to each other.</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In your church, how do you provoke one another to love and good deeds, instead of to anger and resentment? What do you do to meet together and encourage one another? How does this build up the church and serve the larger community?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1 John 2:11<br/></span></u></strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">But whoever hates a brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness. </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxgb98dt-2BAwcnX5I0t2fHJjFErPXjxppLQlB-2B-2BfNdMrlv71ftm26zUkO8WJQ4wmwMlnuRs\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tdV62kU-2Bq8ZR0UHrAzM33yWY-2FaPQJbZK0Czavp8OYiwDKp-2BGCpE9W-2BHAd0NlU418kRjkzVmfkQsKUpoxZS8-2Bb2GkUOENEcWkmA-2FWtR927U0YPZvSQ3rU9nG-2BKdvSnuu6zQunzTducXGaT9-2Br-2FvQ1DNEkb6uMRDjGBeKoKilhuyDbMWqHGkyEAobr19u1IVIyJAowS-2Bvs-2B9Q9WUHYY2uAAJI-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1 John 2:7-11</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The first letter of John is an attempt to define a community's identity and to describe a moral way of life. In the second chapter, John talks about what it means to walk in the light -- that is, to walk in the way that Jesus walked. John stresses that it is impossible to say "I am in the light" while hating a brother or a sister (2:9). There is no way to align the light of Christ with hate for a neighbor.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">John says that "whoever hates a brother or sister is in the darkness" and "does not know the way to go." The darkness of hatred can blind a person and cause them to stumble. In John, darkness is always connected to impurity, falsehood and hatred. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">On the other hand, whoever "loves a brother or sister abides in the light," which prevents a person from stumbling (v. 10). The word "abide" appears 23 times in 1 John, and it means to "remain" or "stay" in fellowship with God, the one always associated with purity, truth and love. Later, John will say, "if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (4:12-13).</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Why is hate associated with darkness, and how does it prevent us from knowing the right way to go? When have you seen hatred causing a person to stumble? What damage did they do to themselves and others?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">For Further Discussion</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1. After a deadly shooting in Cleveland, </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9ltQdrhzr0ImNDbPYN88XPy0D0crX3o460-2FFUOqQpucLw-3D-3DYPXf\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tbqg0gvq0P6FvgZ-2FrV-2B-2BYuBV5dIybuVyKWd9gN9R6uuedC1k8ZZv5qFFHZzQTN9JRs4On5MkGUnP4gr1-2Bc-2FVu70JMhajwB5cfmKwI7pjXOnElhG5rp6Yj2u3oRZfATF0vmTZckHWB-2By09vrEGaGBiq4w25ZJppiJUVAwzs-2BKGJy9LrR6HRFmr9JQsq5kvhWNAJwXG9tsKDuaLOqd6y2SP4k-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">churches focused on meeting the immediate needs </span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">of the community in an effort to strengthen connections and reduce risk factors. They offered food outreach, hot-meal outreach, and clothing drives in an effort to be a resource in the community. How can such efforts help to strengthen and protect a community? What would your church be willing to do in such a situation, if anything?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2. In the wake of the mosque killings, "you can see the clouds of a storm forming again," </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9ltQdrhzr0ImNDbPYN88XPyNBFYzpHuIVv11fESedi1HQ-3D-3DCBWn\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tdz9bnoYBS-2FMauQhBe0m9BZsG6KZo1MWNUwTmVuPMKWY4iq7s2F2aim40ciVZOzIhrnCW-2FhxMB-2F-2BGRvhj3uuAt-2FCQ3V-2FAM4hcQ-2BiIcOLjXAhvO9xe2VDgXz-2BTvs-2B7-2FI3Bs7xxYJaaSDNKphDf0vGKnkTAff-2BuB6mUokAD2lY-2BMlvXZK-2B5F8-2FCIicKFdF-2FtQqBIUpS-2BRl-2F-2BC-2FJQwf7exfPBo-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">writes scholar Hussein Rashid</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">. He is moved "to speak out for justice." Instead of seeing the storm as a time of fear, he sees it as an opportunity for hope. "We can make something new, but only by facing what has come before now. This is America." Discuss.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">3. </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIjbZI7zgsFq1vi5wz0KCpNiFwlsAs9MEH8zm0ID3dxZwCl7PUU6OfjVKRpwZpbDJQqlP3EDHu5eMy0EzF1Al71dg6ZgY0eZJitmqjUq4x3C0Ptve63eDVVcv-2BE-2FGE70SQ-3D-3D9g44\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tfKKrm7KHR7XsavaWrJ-2FsY-2FXUHxau1sA-2B3nc20u1hVW1uxfK8HN1IC8CUhwZQz7qwaZKgytqIpH-2BSUmFDaTmRG6xOsV9bcByE-2FCOcxTSUVAxeeTGXRnJP5MKMiQ35pQXpbYbZjA3nfVTBm03Q9cuVvtQB9izNIjNpXh0j-2BmcftYMf027VnrsdaHIhr70xbmb8kG4pbcBE5Hu-2BQ2gfBqGRBk-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">A Tulane University study</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> explains why politically charged content gets more engagement from those who disagree. The study analyzed data from Twitter, Facebook and online experiments over time, and found that users frequently react to opposing viewpoints with heightened engagement, often driven by outrage. How might such "rage clicks" amplify hate online? What can in-person Christian communities do to counter such outrage, if anything? How might you deal with the trend that the acceptance of political violence has doubled for those under 45 compared to older people?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">4. After the killings in San Diego, faith leaders came together for a vigil. </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJ-2BJCZxm72EtXDCFit10a9l8ryDc9p6cqjzlnQgKywaUSpdxy33y22IsxevF-2FUVB8A-3D-3DUj6j\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmfiWT4D9-2F6-2BEQESPvEoDv0y7O-2Ffg-2FrdDUmZ-2FX-2BImi3dOPXwJTMMEBoyz5O38uId6tQ21awAlOKgXJuFkewUMxldqj2-2FtWBul90lN4IFqHIa-2BMysBAwrzvBQTCWDMswSGgl1wtlZSUiNphIXMVlJBKQdj7ZdBCnFZfSyaHqjKJu7wS3-2FLsfRjyJgqgbhqDkAE6A0TXKJD-2BYIQ9deQhKFTPt9cLVEh3LSIfw-2FVxvfmclzkd2o3n2GyfdUkbRrY8MK7bFLmLeZeoLpcaWtx9-2BbqTac-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc;">The Rev. Meg Decker reminded members of the gathering</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> that while the act of mourning is heartbreaking, it shows the strength of their love. The reason "why mourning is a blessing is because it reminds us of the price and the value of love. It reminds us that love is the one thing that lasts," Decker said. "For all of us who are not part of the Islamic Center, may we take this on ourselves to teach our neighbors, to teach each other to be in mourning together." If you were part of the interfaith vigil, what would you have said? What message would you like to send the Muslim community? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Responding to the News</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Look for people in your church and community who may be isolated or alienated, and reach out to them in Christian love. Make an effort to serve the less fortunate and care for your community. Support activities in your church that gather people together, in ways that build mutual love and encourage service to others.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Prayer</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">God of all goodness, help us to walk in the light by loving our brothers and sisters, in church and community. Shake us out of isolation, and gather us together for worship and service. May we provoke each other to love and good deeds, following the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times; font-size: medium;"><strong><strong>Copyright 2026 Communication Resources</strong></strong></span></p> <br/><br/><p style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user\_id=14323725&amp;data=EW371NizdQKkWoKLLCMWRzqvWiNLGzfx3muSrv8bZ0doMDAwdTAwMBvbDoCq4-o8JiqJRMoehkAm2MaqVq0hSLUGNdas\_ZUpcdGLbF4U2Bd9yCddjegmCB0g356-zJhiJFLqsSRbZS428H0HPZLPeVWibc2vMQyoqtaTavvOK\_PJpD8e9ItJr2MfWQGx2YwfsiC2B7Y04e-wbuKwvZck4LHh3vbGU\_eyfBzYVCp6\_CMOyz-gTSEx-jAq0BgNiblwQKXWbt8fz6lSeJ3GQWm9y7hYkd07aYbt\_mykwSYWsY2CbEfDXXhzjQwv7apDnQ24cfedLToZbVngcB57rC-numbZYMqO5vHIWgp7r8BqYJAFuq-g1rwVQh1BYleQdgFFGFi\_061gPiMEYsCv\_obLJ7Q689yKpwUQmpEhiPpPoyhoQypDmCzhBsnMDdiA-oE\_AVVK9iX1FhkDywUXFAqcZwx\_2-f4Af51XCf5TTZ56Z34WceNMWq\_pugwhAEspbhGTY\_DH8J73oeZCtlnR12pjGvduMTsIjVCWPEcG3UQSgo\_EshuDfLUBh\_5YbEnW2MVzwe3P13-6t2HBHBh1CwulFDt0jxesx4HOKEYK6AtJEhQFtVRoOJSPg\_HwhJRXziL58OWu-8BivU=">Unsubscribe From This List</a></p><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/open?upn=u001.ri3TO7QGEXgsxcVdo6-2BoAGTuuWiDEfH5lVjP7AVQ-2Bcl7JaDKdeJ1ydQkXpTFAEqRD2SOncm40jgMuVls37ZLseTP-2Bc5kaLjFJf1Q3kw4FZdt1YoCkYWvLa1l-2BT-2F-2F8yIUiLbFHrmn64p2Xwmffzl3edR6Ty8TRKnThBIufHec6MYr94WZQxWVvMWvfNqNZdVSm2JpSP2sJuJ7h3Z8Ne0G7r5bJLRyr3NKKO5kkcZj8vWO5avkjyVNEsJC2UJb5PQTi1vLDUCuQFaP6xYsOY8x3JY3SOdwo8YHe-2FgyQYEOrUOPLiN8FCO1SPxsDQQWFwbWTqAGsGZwoRSRl0YfksFU4AbcCjD5QKogthkpbtBx-2BXCR2Js-2FN69NSbk5f9fbZQ0bxjtyPax9ZWhDerkAALhRJZiJoPe6mXV6bdcXX6NSDnQPFQX-2BQ3kx-2FWtFxvJlkYpNG8YOvVj5hxP0I58QQJooB7EV5KNhKhEbIOmDKPTy0SI-3D" style="height:1px !important;width:1px !important;border-width:0 !important;margin-top:0 !important;margin-bottom:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;" width="1"/> </div>, The Wired Word for 05/31/2026, The Wired Word, 01ksp6p0g5a8zqganxmg55y9qs.