USA: Houston faith leaders prepare to discuss mass shooting with their flocks

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"The real measure of faith is how they react when they face trials. This is exactly what the purpose of religion is - to help man deal with mortality. When there are hardships, that is when we must come together."

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Houston Chronicle
By Lindsay Peyton | November 10, 2017

[Excerpts]

Their messages will urge congregants to keep the faith and to lean on in times of darkness

As an entire nation reels from another mass shooting, religious leaders will try to help their followers keep the faith, to spiritually stay strong after such a tragic violation of a most sacred place: a church. On this Sunday, millions of Americans will gather in the pews, with many likely feeling unease and sadness, yearning for some meaning and hope.

[Mack A.] Paul, senior pastor at Greater Galilee in north Houston, will discuss the shooting in his sermon Sunday. He said his message will be simple: "We have to persevere."
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Imam Rizwan Khan will share similar sentiments at Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Greater Houston.

"We're not going to let terror and fear dictate our daily lives," he said. "Of course we are sad and shocked. But we can't allow that person to have power over us. As a community, we can come together and move forward."

Khan said that appealing to a higher power is essential to surviving this type of storm - even if individuals feel more like turning away.

"The real measure of faith is how they react when they face trials," he said. "This is exactly what the purpose of religion is - to help man deal with mortality. When there are hardships, that is when we must come together."

Khan said churches, like mosques, come with an expectation. "We expect it to be safe," he said. "It does violate the sanctity - not just of the religious space but also socially, for what is seen as a gathering place."

This shooting serves as a reminder, Khan explained. "The life we live, the house we have, the routine, the job - a crazy person can come and turn it all upside down," he said.

The one thing that can't be taken away is faith in God, Khan added. And he recommends cultivating that relationship. "It gives a person peace," he said.

As an imam, considering the safety of his own congregants has become paramount to Khan. "This is unfortunately something we have to ask: Are we prepared for something like this to happen? Are we looking after our own children? I think every spiritual leader asks, what can we do to protect people in this congregation?"
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