Was God at Virginia Tech?

God is most likely non-existent and all attempts to postulate his existence are futile and cynical ("Where was God at Virginia Tech?" April 20, 2007 by Celeste Flint). We have to find better ways to function as a society on our own through such measures as gun control, which works in countries that practice it.

I am sick and tired of arguments as to how God did not prevent the Holocaust or this shooting, yet on the other hand he supposedly was there to modify the events a little bit and let "only" 33 people die during the Virginia Tech killing April 16.

I think it is much more encouraging to realize that the officers were courageous by themselves, and that the mourning students cried because they cared deeply about the victims of this massacre, not because "God" put tears into their eyes. After all, morality precedes religion.

So where was God? Conspicuously absent, as usual.

— Michael Lang

Department of Biology

In response to Celeste Flint's column, I'd like to respond with the following: There is no God. There is the idea and belief in people's minds, much as there was centuries ago when people thought that the earth was flat, though thinking or believing that didn't make it so. We found out later, and only then did most everyone finally embrace the truth.

The time will come when the realization will surface about the concept of God. John from the New Testament said, "God is love," and I agree. But I think it's more true to say, "LOVE is God." There is no God, but there is love and "everything has to do with loving and not loving," as the Sufi poet Rumi shared with us long ago.

Let us also remember that "A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave," as Mohandas Gandhi said.

Seung-Hui Cho lacked love. That was his disease, probably along with some form of mental illness. His disease killed 33 people in the blink of an eye. It's the tragic truth, and so is the fact that there is no God, although I wish there were, because I would be on his or her side.

I believe in love. Love is all you need. Give love away unabashedly, indiscriminately, wholeheartedly, generously, until everyone's cup overflows with it. Love rules. Love works. That's all we have, but thankfully that is all we need.

— Corey Holly

First year medical student