Our country (USA) was founded on a Judeo-Christian belief system that has an agreement that there is such a thing as evil on earth.
For reference, Evil is defined as; profoundly immoral and wicked
If you are a ‘Humanist,’ you subscribe to the belief that humans can solve all problems rationally and without ‘Gods’ and or ‘special books.’
The recent school shooting has highlighted this difference that we all need to see.
A Christian might be moved to prayer and believe that a return to God and His principles is what the country needs, while a Humanist will propose ‘rational’ policies to solve the issue. BTW, this is not separated by the left or right sides of the political aisle - both sides practice the theology that policies will fix the problem but disagree on which will work. As an example, many liberals believe that gun control will work, while many on the right believe in mental hospitals or classroom lockdowns as the solution. Both fail to see that Evil is the root source and fail to acknowledge it.
If you were a Humanist, what would you do? You would find something that a new policy could fix:
Is the shooter an extremist? What race is he?
Did he use a gun that we believe should be illegal?
Did he get the gun(s) legally? Was he too young to own a gun?
Was the school locked down effectively?
Did we screen properly for the possible shooter? Was he an untreated mental patient?
Were the police adequately trained to stop the shooter?
What can we do to social media to stop the hate?
Was He bullied in School?
Was his family poor or dysfunctional?
and many other ideas which sound intellectual and sound…
Recent news has shown an open hostility to Christians expressing ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the shooting victims. This is not surprising to me at all - if you believe that through evolution, we can improve everything by being better humans - you would be angry at everyone that believed Evil is an inherent part of the human race and demand those Christians to ‘Do Something’!
The question we must all come to grips with is this; If we solve every issue listed above, will we stop the hatred in young men’s lives and stop these horrific acts? Have we solved the root problem of evil?
Of course, I believe that some of these things can and will reduce the incidents of school shootings -where Evil then moves to and uses as its tool of destruction is an issue up for debate. Remember that this shooter had already shot his grandmother in the face and shot at multiple bystanders near where his truck crashed before reaching the school. As a Christian, I hate to do nothing but also must acknowledge that evil is a part of the world we live in. Our response to Evil is really what matters in this and many other debates.
If we can agree evil is a root cause then the next step might be identifing root causes of evil in our society.
Certainly Church and revival must be called but here are a few potential fertilizers of evil.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, talking about the cause of the Uvalde tragedy, called out the growing evil in our society.
I see these issues as components of that evil.
What evil is wrought from:
1. Teaching young men there is no consequence for crime, by eliminating bail and indictment?
2. From two generations, over 60 million young mothers, aborting their babies?
3. Wanton illegal importing of Fentanyl on our southern border?
4. Refusing to enforce immigration laws?
5. Pervasive government induced inflation?
6. The near certain recession some predict will be permanent?
Furthermore most of us know how to fix these issues. So will we?
Has gun control become the scapegoat for a failed society
Good article Leland
Follow the money .... where did he get the money for his gun, ammo, armor, new truck, ... ?
Could not agree more.
What is the root cause? Evil.
What is the best way to make these things less likely to happen? A combination of options that are already known
Lee, Enjoyed the post