So Many Shootings. Why?

On Sunday -- another shooting -- again.

Yes -- again.  For Sunday's shooting in Sutherland Springs, TX marks the 307th mass shooting in the U.S. thus far, this year.  http://www.abc15.com/news/data/mass-shootings-in-the-u-s-over-270-mass-shootings-have-occurred-in-2017    

But beyond the alarming numbers, is the severity of shootings in recent years.  Why, according to CNN, 18 of the 30 deadliest shootings in the U.S. (dating back to 1949) have occurred in the last 10 years. http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/health/mass-shootings-in-america-in-charts-and-graphs-trnd/index.html  with the five deadliest occurring just since 2007:  Las Vegas -- 58 dead; Orlando -- 49 dead; Blacksburg (VA Tech) -- 32 dead; Newtown -- 27 dead; Sutherland Springs, TX -- 26 dead.  

Is it any wonder, we are reeling, after Sunday's episode.  We are in shell-shock, experiencing a form of post-traumatic stress dis-order -- as we try to make sense of the horrific carnage and waste. 

There is no immediate, conclusive answers.  But there are clues, as to why we are experiencing so many severe shootings.

1) Clue One: We're So Angry, So Very Angry.  Don't believe it?  Just notice the marked increase in road-rage on U.S. highways.   Why, according to a 2016 study by the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety, nearly 80% of all drivers surveyed: 

"...expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the past year..." http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/07/nearly-80-percent-of-drivers-express-significant-anger-aggression-or-road-rage/  But it gets worst.  The Trace...reports that there were at least 620 gun-involved road rage incidents in 2016 -- up 50% from two years ago.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-road-rage-incidents-involving-guns-are-increasing 

There are multiple reasons for our anger, but increasingly social observers have sensed that many feel the American Dream has become far from reach.  Thus, the rise of political extremism, be it, Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders.  As Roger C. Altman as pointed out:   

"...the so-called American Dream — that each generation would live better than its predecessor — has ended for most of our citizens. Half of the young adults in this country will earn less over their lifetimes than their parents did. Indeed, the whole idea of rising living standards, which defined this country for so long, is a thing of the past for most Americans. More and more voters realize this and are angry about it...". http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-angry-voters-trump-elections-20171027-story.html        

2) Clue Two: You Don't Care -- So, I Don't Care.  Contributing to the rise of anger is the rise of indifference. Whether it's the clerk at the check-out line, a health care professional, a financial advisor, your supervisor, or even a 'good friend,' many don't seem to 'go out of their way, to resource us. 

A result: a decline in feeling 'cared for,' as fewer persons reach toward us, with a genuine, sacrificial, desire to help.  For when 'push comes to shove,' most 'protect their own backside,' rather than priorititzing the need/s of the other. And so, yes, a basic service or request, is delivered, but not 'a second-mile' effort, marked by compassion and life-changing impact.  

And so there's an uptick in folks feeling marginalized and ignored -- not valued -- with minimized human worth, as we tend -- to not even give each other -- 'the time of day.'

3) Clue Three:  Violence Provides A Platform For Recognition and Power.   When people feel worth-less, marginalized -- they feel powerless.  And so they scramble for things that will make them feel worthy and recognized: be it a new job, a new relationship, or a new suit of clothes or 'hair-do.' 

But positive worth-enhancers often seem not available or within reach (e.g. because of the injustice, inherent in much of society).  And so, folks reach for unhealthy worth-enhancers: too much food, sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc.   

And...increasingly...violence.  

In a warped, perverted, incomprehensible way, violence also provides a platform for people to gain elevation, notice, recognition, and power.  And in the case of mass violence:  fame.  As University of Alabama criminologist Adam Lankford has observed: 

"...the repetition of...[of mass shootings, is] a product of hunger for status. “Some mass shooters succumb to terrible delusions of grandeur, and seek fame and glory through killing,” ...[Translated] The more their names are known, the more likely they are to inspire imitators pursuing similar recognition. A 26-year-old man who killed nine people on a college campus in Oregon in 2015 had previously written of another killer, “A man who was known by no one, is now known by everyone...Seems the more people you kill, the more you're in the limelight..."  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-vegas-shooter-20171011-story.htm

4) Clue Four:  The Availability Of An Arsenal of Arms, Makes Violence More Tempting.  I won't comment much on this element since past blog posts have pointed in this direction.  But suffice to say, the research mounts, that the rise of mass shootings is directly connected to our culture's addiction to armament.  It's important to point out, such addiction is in stark contrast to the rest of the world.  As the New York Times reported recently:

"...The only variable that can explain the high rate of mass shootings in America is its astronomical number of guns. Americans make up about 4.4 percent of the global population but own 42 percent of the world’s guns. From 1966 to 2012, 31 percent of the gunmen in mass shootings worldwide were American, according to a 2015 study by Adam Lankford, a professor at the University of Alabama...Worldwide, [then] Mr. Lankford found, a country’s rate of gun ownership correlated with the odds it would experience a mass shooting...." https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/world/americas/mass-shootings-us-international.html?action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&module=Trending&version=Full&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article 

5) Clue Five: Peace With God, Is Out Of Vogue.  Today is Billy Graham's 99th birthday.  All total Billy Graham has written over 33 books, his most pertinent being Peace With God, now at over 2 million in sales, in 38 languages.  

But Peace With God still hasn't sold enough.  For the ultimate remedy for the anger, rejection, disenfranchisement, powerlessness, etc. that so many feel, is the contentment that only God can give. But increasingly persons don't want God.  As National Geographic observed recently:  

"...Fifty years ago, Time asked in a famous headline, “Is God Dead?” The magazine wondered whether religion was relevant to modern life...We’re still asking the same question. But the response isn’t limited to yes or no. A chunk of the population born after the article was printed may respond to the provocative question with, “God who?...”https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160422-atheism-agnostic-secular-nones-rising-religion/

Indicative of this, is that the most recent mass shooting happened in a church.  At one time, walking into 'God's House,' and shooting indiscriminately, would be unthinkable.  But in a 'God Who?' culture -- who is God -- and what does it matter?

The way forward?

1) 'Be Wise As Serpents, Harmless As Doves...' As I've advanced in other writings, as Christ-followers were not called to return evil for evil.  Rather, we are to find non-violent ways to corral the horrific rise in armed aggression and terror.  http://www.brethren.org/messenger/articles/2017/god-and-guns.html

In doing so, we are also called to be savvy, acting on Jesus' counsel for wise movement in an evil world:  "...Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves..." (Matthew 10:16, KJV).

In this text, Jesus is calling us to live in the tension between an unapologetic vision of non-violence (harmless as doves) and a vigilant awareness of evils prospect (wise as serpents).  Thus, both as individuals and churches, we are called to be prudent, taking precautions, rather than inviting violence through our naivete, carelessness, or sheer stupidity.  And so, locks on doors, watchful ushers, security cameras, being cautious as to our path at night, and safety drills, are all needed. For a helpful  perspective on churches and security, see: http://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2007/august-online-only/protect-your-congregation-from-gunman.html

2) View The Curbing Of Guns As A 'Jesus Issue,' Not Just A Political Issue.  I'm amazed at how quickly Christ-followers divide on the issue of gun proliferation, on the basis of their political affiliation.  If you're a Christian and a Republican, you tend to side with the NRA, and recoil from curbing guns.  If you're a Christian and a Democrat you tend to side with 'Bernie Sanders' minimizing the expanse of weaponry.  

But when we just focus on Jesus, we find a balance (wise as serpents, harmless as doves) along with an overall aversion to 'normal' weapons. The classic text is Jesus' counsel to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane:   

“…Jesus said, “Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. Don’t you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies—more, if I want them—of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready?...” Matthew 26:52-54 (The Message). 

Sure, there's Jesus' counsel in Luke 22:36ff for the disciples to pawn their coat and get a sword. But most biblical scholars, including N.T. Wright, view this as Jesus' counsel toward vigilance and wise watchfulness/protection (e.g. savvy as serpents).  As Wright notes:  "...they don't understand that he's talking in pictures, and seem to think he means them to get ready for an actual fight..." (N.T. Wright, Luke For Everyone.  Louisville:  Westminster/John Knox Press, 2001, pp. 265-266)   And so when they start multiplying real swords, Jesus is not amused. The disciples said, “Look, Master, two swords!” But he said, “Enough of that; no more sword talk!”   (Luke 22:38-39, The Message)

3) Look For The Lonely, The Forgotten -- And Be Kind.  Sure, some instances of horrific violence are the result of profound mental illness.  But many, I believe, stem from individuals who are marginalized, forgotten, stretching to be known, albeit in tragic fashion. 

And so look for forgotten people -- and be kind.  

Just this week, a ministerial colleague asked for my help in crafting a sermon on kindness.  'What is kindness?' he asked.  'Kindness, for me,' I said, is an expression of inconvenience -- as I go out of my way, clearly and demonstratively -- to care for another person.'  

I then cited the example of my friend, Pastor Yakubu Bakfwash, who gave up his place in line at a busy, busy, Chick-fil-A to advance a family, forward, who gave evidence, of being in disarray (as they juggled grandkids).  Later the family approached Yakubu at his table.  'Why did you do that?'  'You were in need.' Yakubu responded.  'And I wanted to help.'  The family then asked to keep in touch, and Yakubu gave them his business card.  And they've been attending his church ever since.

Please note: we're not kind to get converts.  But kindness often fascinates persons, in such a way, that they want to get closer to our lives.  

Better that, than persons drawing farther away from our lives, and the lives of others, often to the point of isolation, cynicism, and even violence -- as persons conclude: no one cares, thus, I no longer care.  

And so, there you have it:  clues, and forward steps, in the wake of yet more horror

This discussion is far from exhaustive, but new ground has been uncovered, in unpredictable fashion -- to find new hope.  

For now that churches are increasingly targets of violence -- churches must rise up with a new word and way -- to combat violence.

The Word and Way -- of Jesus.