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I Am To Blame for Newtown Massacre

1/1/2013

16 Comments

 
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I have read with interest a blog post and comments, with replies and replies to the replies, concerning the San Antonio Theatre Shooting. Most of the interaction is around the idea of gun-control. There is some reasoned debate, and the usual character assassination attempts by those who cannot think outside their little opinion.
It does not appear as if anyone's mind has been changed or modified in the least regarding their particular position.
I participated somewhat with a couple of comments.
Has my mind been changed?
Yes.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary evoked outrage, dismay, concern, and much rhetoric around the American issue of gun-control. The blog to which I referred earlier is a part of this. There are, perhaps, hundreds more following the same pattern. The social networking site, FaceBook also lit up with the rhetoric.
I am not immune to the thoughts presented by either side.
One thing I've noticed, however, is that there is much blaming going on from both quarters. Government, guns, people, politics, permissiveness, parenting, laws, liberals, and outlaws are all catching some of the blame for Adam Lanza's terrorism that day.
Blaming someone or something has yet to solve any of my personal problems. It is only when I take responsibility for my actions and results can any progress be made toward improvement.
Needless to say, I was brought up short while reading the comments to that blog and the thought occurred to me, "You are to blame."
How is that so?
I live in south Alabama. I have never been to Connecticut. I don't own a gun. I didn't know Adam Lanza, nor any of the people he harmed. How am I to blame for what happened there?
I am not to blame directly, but indirectly.
I gather this from Jesus' teaching that I am to love my neighbor. A lawyer, trying to justify himself, asked, "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29) And Jesus gave us the story that is commonly known as The Good Samaritan:
A man was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. People passed him by without stopping to help. They each had very good reasons--couldn't be bothered; in a hurry; against my religion. Eventually a man from Samaria (people basically considered as outcasts) stopped and helped the man. He took him to a hotel and told the clerk to take care of him and he would pay the bill. Jesus asked who was the neighbor, to which the obvious answer was the Samaritan.
Most everyone is aware of the idea of "six degrees of separation" where we are no more than six people away from something in common with them.
It is that concept which drives this idea that I am somewhat responsible for the horror of Sandy Hook.
Whom have I not affected, or affected negatively, that could have had an influence that would have reached to Newtown?
How much kindness and love am I spreading in the world on a daily basis? Or, in reverse, how much negative energy am I putting into the universe each day?
The Buddhist concept of "anatman" basically means that nothing can exist in absolute independence of other things or arise of its own accord. This is similar to Jesus' teaching about the Samaritan, and His statement in John 15:5 that "Apart from me you can do nothing."
My actions and thoughts in south Alabama have a rippling effect into the rest of the world, including Newtown, Connecticut.
I also have not contacted my representatives and told them that even though I am an ideological pacifist, I am opposed to any effort to take away the people's right to own a gun or guns. Therefore, I am partially responsible for the efforts of the government in favor of gun-control.
I have not reached out to those involved in the debate over the issue of gun-control and challenged them to temper their arguments with love and respect for those in opposition. Therefore, I am partially responsible for more of the negative energy that is going out into the universe and affecting mixed up kids like Adam Lanza.

Before you try to tell me that I take too much on myself, I ask you to recall the closing argument from the movie "A Time To Kill" with Matthew McConaughey and Samuel L. Jackson.
Imagine those were your kids or grandkids in the school.
What have you done to influence a potential Adam Lanza to change his course?
16 Comments
Don
1/1/2013 09:03:07 pm

interesting comments Dale. Yes, your right about our responsibility is to (in our own small space in this world), live a life worthy of sending forth the life of the one living through and as us! This would change the world. It all starts with "me".

I love that movie by the way. Lots of twists and turns!

Reply
graciehill48 link
1/1/2013 11:24:51 pm

Would it be correct to state that all who passed by the beaten man that day were his neighbor? Only one demonstrated love. Are we loving our neighbors...those who cross our paths every day, all day.

Reply
Dale
1/6/2013 05:11:03 am

Excellent observation, Gracie. Everyone is a neighbor; but not all demonstrate neighborliness.

Reply
John
1/3/2013 11:43:05 pm

"Before you try to tell me that I take too much on myself..."
We can never take enough on ourselves to send out enough positive energy to be effective enough to make enough a real difference.
That is why it was necessary for it to be done for/as us. Our Lord took it ALL. And, made me Holy and blameless!
Now, if I could just really believe it and rest in it, He will make His work seen and effective enough to make real difference through me.
This foundation will change the world. It ALL starts (and ends) with Him!

Reply
Dale
1/6/2013 05:17:15 am

Yes, John, it all begins and ends with the Alpha and the Omega. But, you alluded to the fact that so many miss--making a difference through me. My understanding of the Truth must be more than a mere logical agreement with a statement. It must be something that God has wrought in my being, so that (without effort) I change my world and affect those around me.

Reply
Nick link
1/3/2013 11:47:22 pm

All our actions indeed have a ripple effect across the human family. I recall the reply of Joseph to his brother in Genesis 50:15-21 "You intended it for evil, but God intended it for good." God's work of love will never by stymied. However, in order for this to happen, I need to be evermore dedicated to be in complicity with love knowing that I've been complicit in the sin of the world.

Reply
Dale
1/6/2013 05:22:46 am

Hey, Nick. Thanks for stopping by. (Like your blog, and noticed that Joe Quatrone showed up there, too. been looking for him.)
True, God's work of love will not be stymied--not even by my inability to be fully dedicated to love. However, if I want to enjoy the benefits of seeing His love in action, then I must learn that dedication.

Reply
Nick link
1/6/2013 09:43:21 pm

Grace is free, but to access its benefits, we need to engage the means of grace and the disciplines of the spiritual life. Thanks for the conversation, Dale.

John
1/4/2013 01:04:16 am

Hi Nick,
Maybe we are saying the same thing in part.
Whatever effect our actions may have on humanity, I believe, His action (sacrifice) has had (and continues to have) a far greater effect by changing the nature of all humanity. We fail to see it and believe it. All to often our eyes are focused down; down on the mess that has always been there-the reason humanity needed the Savior.
We can only be "evermore dedicated to be in complicity with love" when we first realize that through His completed work He made it so. That we live in Him - in His love.

Reply
Nick link
1/4/2013 01:17:28 am

Yes, John. We cannot love unless empowered by God who is love and who longs to dwell within us.

Reply
John
1/6/2013 02:08:10 am

I don't think Father "longs" for anything. He is satisified. The creation is longing. Longing for the sons of God revealed.

Reply
Don
1/6/2013 09:04:35 pm

Gee Dale, when I comment on your blog, I never get a reply from you. Or anyone else for that matter. Sure feel stupid!

Reply
Dale
1/7/2013 08:23:04 pm

Sorry, Don.
My bad.
You've just taught me a valuable lesson, though I am not too good at implementing lessons right away.
Those who blog and want readership should reply to all comments. At least that's what those who study these things say.
I should at least say, "Thanks for your comment," but I've never been good at that. (Not an excuse; just an observation.)
However, because of your comment, I am now wanting to be/do better at this blogging thing.
Thanks for expressing how you feel.

Reply
Don
1/7/2013 09:51:34 am

Sorry for my post Brother, tough morning. I hope I didn't ruin this blog subject.

Reply
Dale
1/7/2013 08:24:37 pm

Nope. Didn't ruin nothin' (but my ability to blithely zip through life with my blinders firmly in place.) :-)

Reply
Darla link
3/5/2013 09:20:03 pm

If we are in Christ, everyone who comes across our path is a "neighbor", and loving them can be as simple as a smile.

Reply



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    Dale has been sharing the practical application of the truths from the Bible for more than 40 years. He has often said, "People know how to shout the victory on Sunday, but can't figure out how to handle Monday." This blog is an attempt to help God's people on that journey.

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