During such times we often reflect on previous events that have had similar effects on us. From Virginia Tech to Columbine, they have all stripped us of young lives cut down far too early. Regardless of what you think about gun control, regardless of what you think about the events, we continue to struggle to truly grasp valuable lessons from these events -- with the exception of the family members directly impacted by them. It's simple, *all* children are our future. They are not just the future for one family, but the future for all of our families. They are the ones that will grow up to be our leaders, servants of our society, protectors of the peace, doctors, teachers, pastors... Each playing a vital role no less important than the rest. Do we truly recognize this? Or are we so bent on blaming something or someone for these tragedies, that we forget what is truly important? Regardless of how we go about protecting our family, friends, and neighbors. Whether we arm ourselves to the teeth with a broad assortment of the most powerful and legally available weaponry, or we choose to advocate a complete ban on all firearms, it won't stop these horrific events from occurring.
So what is the issue, then? It's mental health. It's bullying. It's the ostracization, labelling, and outcasting of individuals from our society that might otherwise be extremely beneficial. It's about under-valuing our human resources in our society. It's about fathers being active with their children and being lovingly firm with establishing clear boundaries about what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. It's about mothers showing their children how to reach out to those around them to try and make a better way for everyone. It's about the family getting back to what is really important: the family. It's about spending more time focusing on your family, and less time at the job.
But, you say, what about gun control? What about mass murder? We need to stop this now! Sure...let's talk about that for just a moment. According to data from WSJ.com and MotherJones.com, more random murders are committed across America using blunt objects and knives, than are commited via assault or assault-style weapons in mass murders. Re-read that. Banning assault or assault-style weapons would not have stopped the loss of lives. They might have reduced the scale, but banning baseball bats and knives would have done a better job across the US.
Ignoring the above data, even if you were able to successfully remove all firearms across the US (legally and illegally), and even if you were able to prevent firearms from entering our country from outside sources, and you were even able to prevent any possible reason for the need to ever forcibly overthrow our own government (which is a Constitutional right, should the need truly arise -- just covering my bases), you would still have murders -- and even mass murders! Would it be reduced in scale, quite possibly -- but not certainly. Would it make our lives safer? Possibly, but not certainly. The truth is, there is no act/law/etc that we can put into place that will definitively prevent these events from occurring. Anything done in such manner is simply working to resolve the symptom, not the root problem. Banning firearms, in any form, is absolutely unacceptable. It does nothing to resolve the issue. To quote one of our Founding Fathers:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
I would implore each of you to think critically for yourselves. Realize what the true issues are. Males, between the ages of 18 and 39 are committing the overwhelming majority of murders across the US (around 85%). Most are caused by strangers or acquaintances. The saddest part is most happen because of petty fights and disagreements. This crosses ALL boundaries. This affects ALL of us. Let's try to teach our children maturity, patience, humility, contentment, and love for those around us -- even the ones that frustrate us to no end. We can be tolerant. We can be peaceful. We can stop this epidemic of violence without any law being passed as encouragement. We can best remember those that have lost their lives to recently by working together to put an end to senseless violence. Take this holiday season to hold your loved ones close, and extend an arm to your neighbor.
Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
