Last week's horrific murders of nine people in a Charleston, South Carolina church by a single racist reminds us that you don't need an army when trying to start a war.

        Dylann Storm Roof decided that he had "no choice" but to wage his own bloody war against blacks in hopes of inciting a race war.

        So far, his attempt has failed.  Like the families of the 10 Amish schoolgirls shot (five died) in their one-room schoolhouse at Pennsylvania's Nickel Mines in 2006, most of the family members of the nine Mother Emanuel AME Church victims forgave 21-year-old Roof.

        In Nickel Mines, the murderer was a man intent on punishing God for the death of his first daughter – just 20 minutes after she was born.  Charlie Roberts' hate festered for nine years before his torment triggered his response at the one-room school.

        In Charleston, the reports seem to show that the unemployed high school dropout developed his racist beliefs and hate over the past two years.  Both men hated; both men murdered.

        It seems like the families of the Nickel Mines and Charleston victims didn't decide to forgive those who committed the atrocious crimes; rather it was built into the love, understanding and faith that these people live by.  But don't confuse love and understanding with justice.  Roof will stand, be judged and punished for his heinous crimes.  Roberts took his own life the same day he took the lives of his victims.

        As a society we allow hate to fester because too often we are afraid of the bully in the room or that we might offend somebody by telling the truth.  Many times we choose not to even try and understand the plight of others and, yes, sometimes we downright choose to ignore it.  We see people who need help, but turn a blind eye towards them because it's none of our business.  Political correctness has affected the way we look at and react to people – and not always for the better. 

        After every horrific event, politicians and activists shout for "honest conversation" then lay down the rules and give their definition of "honest" to avoid offending each other.  Perhaps they can't handle the truth.  Honesty is usually the first casualty in the call for "honest dialogue."  It's no wonder little is accomplished.

        Strong religious beliefs have brought peace to the hearts of many families while trying to make sense out of tragedy.  It has brought strength to their will to do the right thing. 

        Like the Amish, the families of the Charleston victims have reminded us that there is strength, not shame, in having faith.

        They have showed us that love can triumph over hate.