I sat in my messy church office yesterday trying to finish my numerous sermons and other tasks for the coming weeks as I prepare to lift up the anniversary of the birth of the One I see as the Prince of Peace, and all I could think about was moving to a deserted island and getting away from people. Not the people in my congregation and other organizations who are working hard to make the world a better place – no, the people who, from my life perspective, seem to have lost their minds. The most recent trigger for this sadness in me is what seems to be growing support for the murderer of United Healthcare Brian Thompson. And yes, he has admitted that he did it, making it clear that he acted on his own. This insanity isn’t new but it seems to be growing. The march on Charlottesville – organized violence in a number of cities by purportedly left-wing groups – the insurrection against America – all acts of hate, and all supported by growing numbers of people.
NPR did a report yesterday about how this kind of support is growing among people who are politically in the middle. Violence by fringe groups is nothing new – we have a history of incubating fringe behavior, but America has been able to hold the line against this kind of homegrown terrorism because the vast majority of us have said no to this kind of vigilante behavior. Like our political fracturing, communities are coming apart as well. Gun-lust combined with frustration and feelings of powerlessness seem to be leading more people than ever to believe that violence isn’t the last resort – it is the only resort. Greed is to blame as well; while not condoning this behavior, it isn’t hard to see why people being victimized by big money and power and uncaring politics feel so impotent that they cheer on the lunatics who use violence to express their delusions of heroism.
This behavior is madness, and we can see it happening from the top down. Political leaders – and some religious leaders – of all types who either model violence or condone it with their silence have opened the door to increasing violence from those who agree with their vile rhetoric. It is far too easy to manufacture a gun on your own or take advantage of our freedom to cause mayhem, and innocent people suffer. Our elected leaders ignore our suffering while they hide, safe behind walls guarded by security that is armed to the teeth. They are fiddling while Rome is burning. Until people with power get a moral conscience, there is little we can do to make real change. And until that happens, more madness will trickle down. It may truly be the end of the empire. God help us all.
Prayer – Holy God, help us to cure our warring madness. Help us to speak reason to those who only see madness as an option. Give us peace. Amen.
Today’s art is a peace sign abstract by Ryan O’Neill.