We must change
July 23, 2012 (Monday)
Our hearts are deeply saddened by the news from Aurora, Colorado that a young man wielding many weapons shot 71 people in a theater, killing at least 12. Subsequent news releases will let us know more about the shooter and the many people affected by the violence. As of now, we can only guess about causes and motives.
We may not know much about the Aurora shootings, but we know quite a bit about our society in general, and we are very sure that we are developing dangerous attitudes and irresponsible behavior. Our political dialogues these days can more accurately be described as diatribes, venting horrific anger with words.
Sometimes words are not enough to express frustrations, and actions follow. Here’s a quote from the Houston Chronicle that offers food for thought: “From fender benders to fatalities, from fists flying to guns blazing, enraged drivers in the greater Houston area have caused more than 900 motor vehicle accidents that injured hundreds and killed five over the last five years, according to crash data from the Texas Department of Transportation.” There is no escape from the violence in our culture that escalates daily.
As long as we “normal” people keep finding scapegoats for our troubles, reasons to complain much, and divest ourselves of Christian love, these kinds of unhealthy attitudes will continue becoming embedded into the very fabric of our thinking. It’s time to cool off. We may not be cursing, hitting or shooting anyone, but our anger is slowly but surely shaping our national spirit.
There is much in life to be happy about. Let’s look for it and embrace it.