Chaos, Crime and Hate

Wow, what a time we are living in! The level of violence that seems to be a part of daily life in the world, especially within the United States, is definitely on a different level than before. Folks have, or are becoming, more polarized than ever. The standard now seems to be if you agree with someone's views you are right or good. However, if you disagree with them you are evil! This distorted viewpoint has received much of its impetus from our colleges and universities.

The age of the vast majority of college students is between 18 and 23. We know from psychological studies these ages fall into the time when folks are filled with idealism concerning their place within the world. In times past, this idealism was translated into acts of kindness toward others, opposition to war and the forced subjugation of tribes, cultures and nations to the stronger power of another. This idealism was expressed in interaction with governmental leaders, with media in all forms and with peaceful demonstrations. (I should probably bold type the word "peaceful" but, I don't know how to do that yet.)

The contrast to the recent tragedies we have seen played out recently are horrible and painful for most of us. What in the world allows an individual to see shooting up a schools, entertainment events, and churches, as a rational response to their inner pain and anger? It is beyond insane to justify these sick acts of violence that are being directed against the innocent in our society. Personally, although many think otherwise, I do not believe that gun usage is the problem or the main issue in confronting this wickedness.

The use of the term, "assault weapon" means absolutely nothing to anyone except those who use this term to incite an image of evil in the minds of the hearer or reader. It's not a matter of smaller magazines as the average rate of fire of these idiots, ( Las Vegas and Southland, TX are not included in the study) is slower than the firing and reloading of a Revolutionary War musket. This is a fact and not simply my opinion. Also, its not a matter of enacting new laws as we already regulate gun usage to a large degree. We simply need to enforce the laws that are already on the books. I know this is indicative of my opinion concerning firearms and that is not where I am going so please don't stop reading yet.

I once heard a minister say that the outlawing of abortion was not going to stop the practice of it. This minister got a ton of grief from others within the pro-life community. But, its a simple fact that laws do not stop someone who has decided, and is determined, to disobey them. It is the same with almost every issue confronting modern society today. The only way we are going to truly reduce the occurrence of such wickedness is by changing the minds and hearts of these individuals. When this happens you don't even need a law.

For instance, in the Roman Empire, slavery was a legal reality. So why did this practice cease within the Empire? This occurred primarily because Christianity taught that a man or woman was either fellow believer or one to be won to Christ. Plus, there was also the command to love your neighbor as yourself. When these ideas became a reality in the hearts and minds of the people the practice of slavery began to radically decline. When this heart change took hold, the passing of the law to abolish slavery was not the impetus for this change. It was a reflection of the new reality. The law was a reflection of what was already occurring within that society. As we are still human beings we too have the ability to alter our behavior and attitudes towards one another.

I can accept that when this is applied to the individual shooters it does not seem to be a very potent response. And I am not saying we shouldn't make or pass laws that reflect the attitudes of the citizenry of a country. We should always be open to ideas that are rational and reasonable in their tenor and application. However, now is not the time for going beyond a knee jerk of a purely emotional response to these terrible things as we begin to articulate and engage in a new reality. It is time for each of us to look within our own hearts and begin the process of dealing with the hatred that separates us from one another.

I wouldn't be truthful if I said that I don't believe faith in Jesus the Christ is the surest and quickest way to change one's heart. It is my personal belief that each of us has the ability to make such changes within our hearts. There is a reason why Christian churches are subject to such violence throughout the world. The reason is found in the understanding that vengeance and judgment are to be kept in the hand of God and good governance. And, if someone wants to point out the actions of the Crusaders as indicative of Christian behavior, I take exception to this idea. The vast majority of these folks were not even Christian in the Biblical definition of the word and there is nothing in the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament, that can be used to justify their wickedness against their fellow man. If Jesus didn't say it or do it then we don't need to do it either. Like Him, we are to be healers instead of hurters.

Whatever ones family background, heritage or culture, we all need to take a minute to look within ourselves and consider our own words, actions, and attitudes. Please, make sure there is nothing within your heart that agrees with hatred, racism and bigotry and then act in manner that shows such attitudes and acts have no place within you. Once you have purged these things from the inside begin to act like they are gone on the outside too. Before we can change others we have to begin to change ourselves first. I don't think anybody would say that such a change would be a bad thing.