MASS VIOLENCE

Cole Feix, Oklahoma City pastor wrote, “The question of mass violence continues to stymie the global community. Why does it happen? What can we do to stop it? One of the first steps is to see these shootings for what they are: acts of passion and desperation. People have always killed one another out of competition and insecurity. These mass shootings are guerilla warfare on a small scale. While it’s impossible to get into the minds of the shooters, it’s important that we acknowledge they’re responding to a perceived threat. The world feels out of control, and we need to develop ways to manage evil and destructive thoughts and responses. Blanket censorship and control may make the problems worse. Can we be brave enough to talk about our cultural frustration? Can we have enough integrity to own up to the ways we are harmfully incubating these ideologies and pathologies? Will we be willing as a society to engage those who are on the margins and address mental illness, harmful and violent tendencies, and deep-seated wounds? This is the hard work of reform and prevention. Christians have a lot to add to these conversations. We have to speak up.”

To not speak up is to have spoken.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus