Never ending religious claptrap, soothing hollow words, grasping at straws while you drown. After you're dead, the next religious fool will take your place and believe the same myths. Teacher, student killed in shooting at private Christian school in Wisconsin Updated December 17, 2024 — 6.44amfirst published at 2.16am Madison: A teenage student opened fire at a private Christian school on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenage student in the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said. Six others were wounded in the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, a K-12 school with about 390 students, in the state capital, Madison. An emergency vehicle outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.Credit: nna\allanah.sciberras The Associated Press said the school shooter was a 17-year-old female student, citing a law enforcement official. Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation. The school website shows that Friday was to be the last scheduled day of classes before the holiday break. A bus carrying students leaves as emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School after the shooting.Credit: AP At a media briefing, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the suspected shooter likely died by suicide. “They found the person responsible who was down, deceased,” the chief said, without confirming their age or gender. Barnes said police were alerted shortly before 11am and did not fire their weapons when they rushed inside the building. Someone from the school called 911 to report an active shooter, Barnes said. He said the police training centre was five kilometres from the school, and officers responded from there. “What began as a training day became an actual day,” he said. Police blocked off roads around the school, and federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes speaks to reporters.Credit: nna\allanah.sciberras Of those wounded, Barnes said two were in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The other four had non-life-threatening injuries, he said. “I’m feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas,” he said. “Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever ... We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.” Police previously said a total of five people had died but corrected the statement. Investigators did not immediately know a motive for the shooting, Barnes said, and police were “working hard to find as many answers as we can”. “I don’t know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening.” “I’m not aware that the school had metal detectors, nor should schools have metal detectors. It’s a safe space,” Barnes said. “We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond,” Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said in a statement. In a statement, the White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the shooting, and officials were in touch with local authorities to provide support. Abundant Life Christian School, which is nondenominational, asked for prayers in a short Facebook post. ‘Your world stops’ Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, rushed to the school after hearing about the shooting and learnt over FaceTime that her daughter was OK. “As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters,” Highman said. “There’s nobody around you. You just bolt for the door and try to do everything you can as a parent to be with your kids.” The shooting is the latest among dozens of school shootings across the US in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas. The shootings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to doing active shooter drills in their classrooms. But school shootings have done little to move the needle on national gun laws. Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches healthcare issues. There have been 322 school shootings this year in the US, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database website. That is the second-highest total of any year since 1966, according to that database – topped only by last year’s total of 349. AP, Reuters
What is the difference between the longer ending of Mark and the other synoptic Gospels? The "longer ending" of Mark refers to Mark 16:9-20, a passage found in many manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark but absent or marked as questionable in some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus. This has led scholars to debate its authenticity, with many concluding it was likely a later addition to the original text written by Mark. To understand the differences between this longer ending and the other Synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Luke), let’s break it down: The Longer Ending of Mark (Mark 16:9-20) Content: This passage describes Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, two disciples walking in the countryside, and then to the eleven disciples. He commissions them to preach the gospel, promising signs like casting out demons, speaking in tongues, handling snakes, drinking poison without harm, and healing the sick. It concludes with Jesus ascending to heaven and the disciples going out to preach. Tone and Style: The longer ending shifts abruptly from the mysterious and abrupt ending at Mark 16:8 (where the women flee the tomb in fear and say nothing). It introduces a more triumphant, detailed resurrection narrative, resembling elements found in the other Gospels but with unique details (e.g., snake-handling, drinking poison). Manuscript Evidence: Its absence from early manuscripts and the existence of alternative endings (e.g., the "shorter ending") suggest it may have been added later to resolve the abruptness of Mark’s original conclusion. Comparison with Matthew and Luke (Synoptic Gospels) Matthew 28 (Resurrection and Commission): Similarities: Like Mark 16:9-20, Matthew includes post-resurrection appearances (to Mary Magdalene and another Mary, then to the disciples in Galilee) and a commissioning scene (the Great Commission, Matt. 28:18-20). Both emphasize preaching to all nations. Differences: Matthew’s commission focuses on making disciples, baptizing, and teaching, without the dramatic signs (snake-handling, tongues) unique to Mark’s longer ending. Matthew’s account is more structured and lacks the episodic feel of Mark 16:9-20. Ending: Matthew ends with Jesus promising to be with the disciples always, without an explicit ascension scene. Luke 24 (Resurrection and Ascension): Similarities: Luke also narrates post-resurrection appearances (to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then to the eleven in Jerusalem) and a commissioning (Luke 24:47-49), followed by Jesus’ ascension. The appearances to two disciples and the eleven parallel Mark 16:12-14, and the ascension (Luke 24:51) matches Mark 16:19. Differences: Luke’s commission emphasizes repentance and forgiveness of sins, with the promise of the Holy Spirit, rather than the miraculous signs in Mark. Luke’s narrative is more detailed and polished, integrating the resurrection and ascension into a cohesive story, unlike the abrupt transitions in Mark’s longer ending. Tone: Luke has a reflective, theological tone, while Mark’s longer ending feels more action-oriented and concise. Key Differences Summarized Miraculous Signs: The longer ending of Mark uniquely lists specific signs (snake-handling, drinking poison, tongues) not found in Matthew or Luke, suggesting a later emphasis on charismatic proofs of faith. Narrative Flow: Mark 16:9-20 feels like a summary stitching together resurrection traditions, while Matthew and Luke offer more integrated, detailed accounts tailored to their theological purposes. Originality: Matthew and Luke likely drew on Mark’s shorter, original ending (up to 16:8) and expanded it with their own sources (e.g., Q or independent traditions), whereas the longer ending of Mark appears to borrow from Matthew, Luke, and John (e.g., Mary Magdalene’s role from John 20) to "complete" the story. Ascension: Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51 explicitly mention Jesus’ ascension, while Matthew implies his ongoing presence without it. Scholarly Perspective Most scholars view Mark 16:9-20 as a second-century addition, possibly by a scribe familiar with the other Gospels, aiming to harmonize Mark with their fuller resurrection accounts. The original Mark likely ended at 16:8, leaving an open-ended, enigmatic conclusion that Matthew and Luke expanded in their own ways.