The terrorist attacks in Paris have been called an act of war by French President Francois Hollande.
President Obama described them as “an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron said, “We must never allow the values that we hold dear, of democracy, of freedom of speech to be damaged by these terrorists.”
But it’s not just world leaders who are dealing with the attacks, who must try to make sense of them while also trying to help others come to grips with the deaths. Local religious leaders must address the topic in their own churches and synagogues, trying to explain why God would allow such tragedies and how faith may help lead to understanding and offer comfort.
People light candles in the shape of a heart, on the Old-Port in Marseille, southern France, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, after the Paris attacks on Friday. French President Francois Hollande vowed to attack the Islamic State group without mercy as the jihadist group admitted responsibility Saturday for orchestrating the deadliest attacks inflicted on France since World War II. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)“My first reaction was that of anger,” says Gary Ames, senior pastor at Hickory Valley Christian Church on Shallowford Road. “All the emotions of 9/11 and the July 16 shooting here in Chattanooga came flooding back. This was a blatant act of war on innocent people and we want to cry out for justice.