Perspectives on the Aurora Shootings
My current article at Forthright is about the tragic shooting at the theater in Aurora, Colorado by James Holmes. Like many others, I preached on the shootings on Sunday using the thoughts in today’s article.
My Forthright articles every week are written to spur discussion. Accordingly, I am interested in your thoughts on the spiritual perspective on this case.
Pundits and law enforcement experts are all over the American media trying to find answers to why the shootings occurred.
Everyone wants to know:
- Why did this happen?
- Should we ban guns?
- How can we prevent these kinds of crimes from happening?
However, my premise is that they will never find the right answers because they persist in asking the wrong questions. If they were looking at the tragedy through spiritual eyes, they would find the answers they seek very clearly.
Through your eyes as a student of Scripture, how would you answer those three questions?
Eugene Adkins 6:41 am on July 25, 2012 Permalink |
Why did this happen? – Because of a lack of love toward his fellow man, and because of his lack of fear toward God (Luke 10:27; 1 Peter 2:17). I do not believe there is anything else that would be considered “unique” to his situation that could not be found in someone’s life that did not commit such evil.
Should we ban guns? – No. I think we should ban mass killings! But would that work? I believe the issue isn’t the tool, but rather the one who used the tool.
Multiple, multiple thousands are killed every year by drunk drivers. A friend from High School was hit and killed by a drunk driver a month ago…isn’t drunk driving illegal? What would happen if alcohol was banned? People would make another way to get drunk like they did in the past!
What would happen if guns were banned and someone wanted to kill a multiple amount of people? They would find a way to accomplish it. Bombs, vehicles, knives, arson, planes, etc.
Laws will not prevent law breakers! When it comes to the issue of owning a tool that is capable of being used for violence, I believe the Bible leaves the responsibility up to the person and not the tool (Luke 22:38).
How can we prevent these kinds of crimes from happening? – I don’t know if prevention is the key; maybe deterrence would better fit in my mind. The despicable act seen in Colorado isn’t a new phenomia. People guilty of committing multiple murders (and the mindset(s) needed) have been around for millenia.
As far as prevention goes, maybe getting back to teaching about the value of life from top to bottom would help. Look at what part of the target audience in that theatre included – children! The man had to know that there would be children present, but it sure doesn’t seem like that phased him. I don’t believe we will be able to ever make a person love another person against their own will. Particularly if the person has no love for God (1 John 4:20; Matthew 15:19; Mark 15:7; Romans 1:29-31).
To me, this third question is the most difficult to answer; I agree with your premise about it. While thinking about these things and searching the scriptures, Mark 15:7 and the whole situation around it really caught my attention.
Great questions, Richard. Hope you find these answers useful for your studies and thoughts.