Web of Solidarity

While the Internet allowed news of Sunday’s fatal shootings at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., to spread quickly, it also allowed for the swift realization of something else: Solidarity and support for the victims, the church’s congregation and even the man whom police say was the shooter.

Within hours of the incident, a Facebook group, Thoughts&Prayers — Knoxville UU, was created by Knoxville residents in order to give the world a place to “show your support for the victims and loved ones of this senseless, seemingly random act of violence.” It also allowed for the quick delivery of information about a candelight vigil for the victims, and provided the latest details collected from newsfeeds about the latest details in the case.

Outside of Knoxville, other bloggers became part of the web of solidarity. The Boston Globe’s Articles of Faith blog quickly provided links to a statement by the UU denomination’s President, the Rev. William G. Sinkford, and the Blogging Faith blog provided links to more outreach and support sites. These links through the Internet opened doors to participation for those of us who are physically so far from Knoxville but know that each event — especially tragic ones — show just how closely tied our hearts can be.

As media outlets began to report about the hate said to be behind the shootings, bloggers responded with outpourings of love, even toward the shooter. Pastor Dan at the Street Prophets blog urged readers to remember the words of St. Paul, to ”love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good,” and making no distinction for political or social ideology. Rather than demonize the man, he said, let us instead focus on the forces surrounding him that may have contributed to the act. Likewise, Laurie Patton at Religion Dispatches remembered her own upbringing in the UU church and its commitment to dialogue and diversity, and her hope that the ultimate lesson such tragedies will inspire will be the work to end violence in the name of religion.

It is moments like this that the Internet proves that it can be a tool for showing what is best in us. It gives us opportunity for information, connection and transformation.