People Kill People - Too Often With Guns!

I find myself tearing up almost every time the news on television describes the event and aftermath at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the state of Connecticut.  It was a massacre of twenty little children and six adults by a deranged young man using a "domesticated" version of an M-16 military weapon.  It is tragic in every sense of the word.  It is horrific, evil, indescribable, senseless.  And it seems to be a pattern in our increasingly drifting, compass-less society. 

I am deeply saddened and troubled that we live in a culture that is seemingly addicted to violence - in our politics and war-making, supported many times by religion; domestic violence in our homes and families; much of our entertainment, many of our movies and television programs; increasing violence in professional sports; not to mention computer games, musical lyrics and rap; and a national fascination with guns!

I heard that today 34 people in our country will die by means of a gun. And 34 more tomorrow, and 34 the next day - and 34 everyday.  If nothing is done, if no action is taken by all levels of government, religion, education organizations, parents, grandparents, mental health professionals, the NRA, etc, then during the next 4 years 48,000 people in our country will die by means of a gun!  That number is about the same as all Americans who died in the Viet Nam war over a ten year period!  In our nation, among our people.  Addicted to violence.  Tragic. 

But there is reason for hope, even now.

As I have stated before, I am an imperfect follower of Jesus.  Jesus believed in and practiced nonviolence toward humanity throughout his life and ministry.  He told us to love even our enemies.  He taught us to put away the sword.  He taught us to love God, to love neighbor, and to love self.  He went to the grave committed to these truths and desiring that we would follow in his steps.  Will you?  Will I?

We can if we will renounce violence at all levels, beginning with ourselves.  We can we if will teach nonviolence and model nonviolence in our families.  We can if we embrace daily pray and meditation across our nation.  We can if we support strict gun control and background checks and a complete ban on assault weapons.  We can if instead of being preoccupied with so called success and power, status, wealth and control, and being consumed by consumerism, we chose to lead simpler lives, with our spouses, children, neighbors, the world.

Will a positive change happen overnight?  Of course not!  But if we are committed to nonviolence and we persevere, incredible changes for the good will take place.  

As for me and my house, we desire to follow Jesus and his example.  I pray that in your life and in your way you will chose the same.  Our very survival and the survival of our children depends on it.

Peace for real,
Dennis