The events at Sandy Hook are a horrible tragedy. The initial reactions of so many were, of
course, an outpouring of horror and grief. Then came other voices. Sometimes it is better not to react but to respond. Our reactions are not always our best moments. A little time to reflect is helpful. I am glad to have a few days to think and pray before wanting to respond.
Some want instant revenge, but the perpetrator is dead. Where will our revenging energy now direct?
Some are calling for gun control. I am sure that conversation is appropriate
and will no doubt happen.
I think a
conversation about the effect of saturation news coverage and the infamy that such
deranged shooters seek – that conversation needs to be had.
I think a conversation about mental health
and how we make it OK to suffer mentally needs to be had.
Also the issue of allowing loneliness in our
crowded society – and the evil that loneliness is.
Then the role of violent video games on
growing minds. We know advertising works - it’s a trillion dollar industry. So bathing young minds in games where they
blow away people – that’s a conversation that needs to be had.
Then the role of family, and the effects of
family breakup (The murderer's parents had divorced three years ago).
However, I am sure that the 24 hour news
cycle will make this horror fade from view quite quickly. When the funerals are over we will be into
Christmas and then then Fiscal Cliff will be the next item of blanket coverage.
So let's see how we react to Sandy Hook: individually, community, nationally. As for me, I want to be sure that no-one around me in isolated , lonely, or suffering mentally without recognition and help. I will ensure my gun is well locked where only I know the location of the key. i will listen out for the gun control conversation and make my views known. I will not use this wicked man's name, or feed his infamy in death.
Then I will leave revenge to God. Christ is the judge. Will not the judge of all the earth do right?
Our Father, may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
1 comment:
I’m disappointed by many in the Christian community who simply pray, grieve, reflect about god, and then move on. There is astoundingly little emphasis on how we can (and should) be working to prevent as many tragedies like this in the future as we can. Thank you for being open to the gun control argument.
In 2007, Japan had 2 gun-related homicide while we had over 10,000. It is not because Japan prays more than we do, or have more religion, but because they regulate firearms as the deadly weapons they are. Our gun laws are inexcusably broken. Dangerous felons and the mentally ill can legally buy weapons on the secondary market without any background check- a legal loophole that even 74% of NRA members think should be fixed.
We cannot prevent every tragedy, but we can easily prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths each year by working to put sensible gun laws in place and sufficiently fund our mental health programs.
Prayer is fine, but it alone will not change our broken society. We need to do the work ourselves. Christians should not ignore their duty to make our society a safer world.
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