Reader comments
Colorado shooter had been baptized Mormon

113 comments   |   Read story

Bashing? | 12:58 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
It seems to me "Richard Sumsion," your comment would be better served directed to the editors of the Deseret News.
They published the story.
CougarKeith | 1:18 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
Jersey Boy said it, Let's examine, The Jonesboro Masecre, what religion was the leader, A CHRISTIAN? How about Charles Manson, a whacked out Guy, but a Christian. How about the kid in the Omaha mall? The Cullinbine School Shootings? How about the Virginia Tech Killings? Come to think about it how about Torkamada who led the Spanish Inquisision? How about the Soldiers in the Crusades? How about the Spaniards in South America who slaughtered the South American Natives? How about the French Revelutionaries? How about the American Revelutionists killing the British "Christians"? Oh let's not forget who had Joan of Arc burnt at the stake! Who had John Wittecliffe dug up after he died and burnt him at the stake? Burning out peoples eyes, ramming searing hot iron rods through living bodies as torture for not conforming to "The Church" even though they believed in God, all done by SO CALLED "CHRISTIANS". Get off it people, Mormons are Christians and because a lost soul joined a church which happened to be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and not a Protestant or Catholic Church, your crucifying and condemning the Mormons. Obviosly he fell away. GROW UP PEOPLE!
Patience | 1:19 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
I find this article interesting. It appears everything about this young man's life and these crimes center around religion. The fact that he was recently baptized into ANY religion plays into trying to understand why this tragic event happened. I do not read any sort of "bashing" in this article--people are being far too oversensitve about that. It's simply one more piece of info in trying to understand an incomprehensible act.
Comments continue below
Anon | 1:38 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
We all have the natural ability to sin.That is why we need a savior.We can never be perfect,but that is why Jesus is-to cover our sins.It sounds like he just chose to be angry and to turn away from God.He might have been motivated by the medication-I agree-and he made following after what is evil his passion and drive.It also sounds like demonic possession was involved.Satan comes to kill,and Jesus comes to save.It is extremely sad that he chose to regect the good and died.I feel sad for his parents as well as the victims families.I can't imagine their pain.We really need to pray ,for these are evil times."In this world you shall have trouble but take comfort that God has overcome the world."God bless
Johnjoseph | 2:03 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
If he had been Catholic it would have definitely been front page material. I find it interesting that some Mormons almost seem to justify his actions due to alleged persecution. I lived in the Southwest and the only persecution I saw was of non-Mormons. When he joined the Mormon church he left Christianity and joined an entirely different religion. I do hope that Mormonism did not play a role in his decision to kill.
Anonymous | 3:57 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
You must admit, Mormonism is very complex and convoluted organization.
The kid (as many others) was probably very confused by it all.
Ohio Mormon | 5:57 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
I know a Mormon who spent $25,000 on Christmas gifts for people he didn't know.

I know another Mormon who spends 20 hours a week taking care of the needs of those in his Ward that can't help themselves.

I know another Mormon that lives the teachings of the Mormon Church and is a good father to his kids, a good husband to his wife, a good lawyer and is genuinely concerned about the welfare of other people...included those he doesn't know.

I think we should blame the Mormon Church for that too.
JCNY | 7:46 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
"Rob | 7:20 p.m. Dec. 13, 2007
What difference does he make what religion he was? Every religion has people that commit crime. People just make note when it is a Mormon cause they have high standards. "

Rob you like so many really shouldn�t be on the defensive line of protecting the church, you like so many are really just digging the hole deeper. �High standards� no it�s because this state has a strong concentration of Mormon people, and that�s it. It�s an easy target whose history of debate is well seeded in the sandy (not the city) soil. If you no longer have desires to be the main topic of debate move to New York, no one cares who or what you believe or do.
Leon | 9:42 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
Let's pray for the families of those he shot. What a tragedy regardless of faith or lack thereof.
To Ohio Mormon | 9:58 p.m. Dec. 15, 2007
I know a guy that travels around the world giving wheel chairs and prosthetics to those that haven't the money.
I know another that retired early and lives very megerly (sp?) just so he can work with Habitat for Humanity and give back a little.
I know a large number of people that are good parents to their kids, good spouses to each other and are generally concerned about the welfare of others.
Guess what. Some are Mormon and some are not. They just happen to be very good people. Just being LDS doesn't make you a good person. Just like being baptised LDS didn't make this guy shoot people. You need to learn to be a little less sensative. It wasn't news outside of Utah. It was a flash of information everywhere else. Nobody cared that he had been baptized.
And Rob, Mormons aren't the only ones that have high standards. There are many religious people that have high standards. Maybe it's because some of us try to put ourselves above others that they try to knock us off.
Sal | 11:50 a.m. Dec. 17, 2007
It wasn't the guys religion that caused him to do what He did. He had something else going on in his head and life. Perhaps he had a bad mental disease or something.
Rx | 1:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 2007
Perhaps he didn't take his medication.
According to a Deseret News report, a lot of Mormons are on anti-depressants.
CO girl | 10:25 a.m. Oct. 28, 2008
Are we to judge what mormons believe by what we have learned from our pastor or minister? Shouldn't we learn straight from the source, a mormon himself. Let's not judge one another with ignorance. It is not our job to judge anyway, it's God's job. He loves all of us and wants the best for us.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

previousnext

Latest comments

I agree with the atmosphere, thats awesome.

Bill Fullmer is the kind of man that any person would want as a father,...

Nice to see he's back. Now if he could only do the kicking instead of...

Todd: Not sure what to make of the above comment. Maybe i'm just not reading...

I have been following this project for quite some time! Glad Provo Rivers...

When I grow up I want to be like Jared! The world needs real Super Heros...

"I can't wait for our nation to join the civilized world in covering all of...

Bush cut taxes for the rich and nothing trickled down. We deregulated and our...

Good game Utes! A good win by double digits! Keep them coming this week1...

"I think there should be more flexibility given, not just to charter schools,...

Advertisements