November 5, 2013 (Tuesday)
Another day, another mass shooting. Ho hum, so what? Are we becoming so accustomed to such news that we are no longer disturbed by it?
Several of the shooters in recent years had reported hearing voices and being told to do horrible things. In other words, they were mentally ill. Is it possible that our stress-filled culture with its breakdown of morality and sensible value systems has something to do with crushing vulnerable personalities to the point of collapse?
The films, television shows, video games, sports events, rock concerts and who knows what else are perennial influences in our culture, slowly but surely spreading a subconscious tolerance for and sometimes even a love for aggressive acts.
Whatever the reasons, the facts are clear that Americans experience more mass killings than people in any other country of the world, outnumbering others with incomparable statistics.
I wish I could offer a surefire cure for the violence in our country, but in reality all I can do is curb my own violent tendencies. I can learn to be kind to those who mistreat me, to refuse to engage in conversations that belittle others, to pray for those who like to see me suffer, to forgive those who sin against me–in other words, to follow the teachings of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
A better world has to begin somewhere; perhaps it can begin with me.