Kiebold's range of emotions on April 20th, 1999 and the years that followed are powerful. From sadness to rage to grief to embarrassment, etc. I can only imagine what she felt on Sunday June 12th, 2016, when she more than anyone else recognizes that the gunman was somebody's son, somebody's friend. As the parents of Sandy Hook's children can attest, the victims were also someone's children, partner, husband, friend, wife, co-worker, etc. These are lives, all of them, cut short for no good reason.
A truth that is hard to argue is that we live in a violent culture. Citizens of the United States own 42% of all civilian owned guns in the world! Yet, we are only representative of 4.4% of the world's population. Yes it is true that we are a great nation, blessed with an amazing democracy and constitution that has allowed us to flourish for over 200 years. Warding off tyranny and oppression, we have been a free people who are allowed to flourish and thrive within the world we create (At least most of us, there a millions for whom this is not true--but that is another story) The famous first two amendments (Free speech, right to "bear arms") have been hallmarks to that freedom (Interesting that they were amendments and not part of the first draft huh?!) Despite the arguments about whether that 2nd amendment was written for musket carrying days or for the modern assault rifles, the spirit remains the same, we as the American people are granted the privilege of some level of freedom when it comes to defending ourselves, even from ourselves.
The only way these freedoms are secured is by having parameters, certain laws that protect ourselves from ourselves. If we remove all stoplights, it won't be long before we no longer have the freedom to drive safely. Parameters restrict movement so that life can move forward. Try having a rose bush that you never trim; eventually the bottom will die out because of a lack of sunlight. Trimming has a necessary purpose, a parameter that shapes it into growth.
So, when will we decide to make a move forward on gun control? When will we decide that a person with known allegiance to terrorist organizations should not be allowed to buy a gun? I grew up in Southeast Missouri, a place where meth is the drug of choice for many. An ingredient of meth (so I hear) can be found in Sudafed. You are now limited in how much Sudafed you can buy. Therefore, as an 18 year old in 2003, a month before my High School graduation, I was not allowed to buy Sudafed for my cold, but I could buy a handgun and bring it to my graduation.
I am not against weapons necessarily (I am against war and unneeded violence though). Even Jesus tells his disciples to buy a sword in Luke 22:35-38:
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is seen making a whip in order to clear out the temple. Weapons have their place, only in our broken and sad world mind you, and their time. I dream and anticipate for the day in which as Isiah 2 says, "we beat our swords into plowshares." In other words, when weapons are no longer needed as peace reigns supreme, we use our weapons for altogether new purposes.
Back to the point, as Christians, I believe, our job is speak prophetically into a violent culture, to say with a loud voice that my right to carry a gun is not as important as keeping people safe. Sure some will say that citizens carrying a gun can provide safety for other citizens, but I must confess that I fear a populous with numerous hidden weapons more than a crazed maniac with a gun. Here is why:
Almost all terrorists in our country have been domestic--born and raised in the US. Sandy Hook, Columbine, Timothy MvCey--all home grown. Sure terrorists can enter the country and plot violence. Sure people suffering from mental illness can do unthinkable acts for a variety of reasons. Sure people bent on violence will find a way despite whatever laws come into play.
But this is undeniable, we live in one of the most violent countries in the world, when it comes to gun violence. To not act is in fact to allow the violence continue unchecked. To not act is to actually act, by allowing evil and suffering to grow without question. So it isn't about acting or not acting, but about what kind of action will we take. To seek to be responsible, to give up a portion of our rights so that flourishing can continue, or to do nothing and see where this all goes?
For me, from my own small corner of the world, I can do three things:
1) Do a random act of Kindness. Be kind and don't let fear win.
2) Write to my Senators advocating for those in authority over our country to take responsible action. To enact new legislation that in some way will help to avoid such violence in the future. (The best part is that we will hopefully never know if it works) You can find contact info for your senators here.
3) Voice your own thoughts. Social media has given voice to millions of people. I wonder how different the civil rights movement would have been had Facebook been around then? To be quiet is to give voice for the status quo.
Together, I believe, we can and will make a difference.
P.S. I did not bring in the LGBTQ issues that were clearly a part of Orlando's shooting. While discrimination toward LGBTQ persons is clearly a problem, the issue of violence is much larger than these issues. In no way, do I intend to minimize the severity of the pain this community must feel as they were specifically targeted. As a Christian pastor, I welcome all people into the grace of God (as if I have the power to not welcome someone in to God's presence, but you know what I mean), and stand in solidarity with all people during this time of suffering and pain.
No comments:
Post a Comment