Bishop Marc Andrus' post about the cheering at the memorial service for those who died in the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, makes good sense to me:
Among the different elements was the applause and cheering that wrapped each speaker as they approached the podium and left it. Usually these services, most often held in churches, are conducted in a medium of quiet. I must say, I loved the supportive noise greeting each speaker, the affirmation and love for the heroes of the tragedy and the mourners, but it was different. Finally, a commentator made this point: people attending the memorial service were responding to the space in which the service was held, a sports facility for the university, a space large enough to hold the crowds who wanted to be there. At some unspoken, probably not reflected upon level, people were doing what they need to do in a sports space – cheer on those they support.
Read the rest of Bishop Marc's post, as he goes on to address what may lie behind much of the the ill feeling and vitriolic speech that seems ever-present in US society today.
The Rt Rev Marc Andrus is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California.
