Well, it’s been in the news again ….. more shootings of
innocent people in the good old United States of America. Even if you’re just a casual news observer, during
the last twelve months, you’ve heard news clips of people saying things like, “We need tougher gun laws to get rid of those guns.” Or “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people don’t they?” Or, “It’s
just one of those crazy demon possessed persons.” And you always hear
someone say, “Where was God in all
this….doesn’t God care?”
To me, the bottom line is pretty simple; we live in a world
that is full of risk. Anywhere in the
world life carries risk, but in America the risk factors are sometimes
magnified because Americans believe in freedom for everyone. So, ramble
with me for a few pages and let’s think about “Freedom” and the “Risk” that
comes with freedom.
Freedom of religion, Freedom to speak our own opinion in most settings, Freedom to keep and bear arms, for hunting, for protection, for hobbies, Freedom to feel secure in your own home, free from unreasonable search & seizure Freedom to travel almost anywhere we choose, And the list goes on.
So how is it if we believe in freedom for everyone, how do
we stop a few CRAZY people from using their FREEDOM to harm other
people? Well, that’s a good question and
as you know, we’ve been dealing with this quandary for a long time. Some of our
best political, theological, and intellectual minds have been working to solve
this problem. Apparently there is not an
easy answer or we’d have found it; perhaps there is no answer.
So now this line of thought prompts me to ask, “Is it
possible that FREEDOM and RISK are inseparable and exist in a state of tension
that can tilt in either direction; order or chaos, safety or danger,
tranquility or tragedy?”
History gives testimony that the founders of this nation
took great personal risk to establish the freedoms that most of us take for
granted today. Many of the original
immigrants, who first grubbed out a living on the eastern shores, left their
European homelands because they were at risk for their lives, wanted to escape
oppression, own property, or simply gain more control over their lifestyle. Others came for exploration and discovery;
some were seeking riches. Of all the
types of people who came, risk seems to have always shared a role in the lives
of those seeking more freedom and personal autonomy. It seems that almost every freedom carries the risk that someone may
use their freedom to harm others.
History is dotted with accounts of CRAZY or unscrupulous individuals who
have twisted freedom to do bad things to their fellowman. Two of our freedoms that have been abused come
quickly to mind.
Freedom of
religion has allowed a significant number of crazy men to “lead”
others to their death or to endure an abusive lifestyle. Look at recent history, remember Jim Jones, (Jonestown
Guyana), David Karesh (Branch Davidians), Stewart Traill (The Church of Bible Understanding), Charles
Manson, Joseph Di Mambro (The Order of the Solar Temple aka Ordre du Temple
Solaire), Marshall Heff Applewhit (Heaven’s Gate), and Warren Jeffs (polygamist
leader). What stands out about these
individuals is that they were all pathologically narcissistic personalities who
operated under their right to freedom of religion and used it to abuse others physically,
emotionally, or financially.
Freedom to Own
Guns has allowed a significant number of crazy men to shoot and kill innocent
men, women and children. The mass murder at a movie theater in Colorado, another at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin , another at a
manufacturer in Minneapolis — and then the unthinkable nightmare at a Connecticut elementary school
on a December day—are some of the more recent acts of gun violence over the
last three decades. Since 1982, there have been at least sixty-two mass
shootings across the country, with the killings unfolding in thirty states
from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Twenty-five of these mass shootings have
occurred since 2006, and seven 7) of them took place in 2012. Forty-nine of the sixty-two shooters obtained their weapons legally, twelve did not, and one is unknown. Twelve of the shootings involved schools and
twenty were workplace shootings; the other thirty cases took place in
locations including shopping malls, restaurants, and religious and government
buildings. Even though most of these
shooters were probably mentally ill, they were able to own or possess an
assortment of weapons because in America we believe in the “right to bear
arms.”
One could cite
examples of how most “Freedoms’ have been used to abuse the
rights and freedoms of others. So in my
mind, it seems that to have “freedom for all” brings with it, “risk for all.” Choice always brings consequences. If we choose to have a “freedom” we get the
personal liberty that goes with it, but with it we also choose “risk.” As of this writing, I don’t think anyone has
found a “fix” that would eliminate the “risk” or consequences of our
choices.
There is no doubt
that society has taken actions to make life less risky and perhaps could take additional
steps that would increase our security in some settings or minimize our
vulnerability to those who would abuse freedom.
But, we know from experience that such actions will in turn “take away”
some of everyone’s freedom as well. I
doubt there is an earthly solution to our “freedom and risk” problem. In the political arena of life “freedom and
risk” are like conjoined twins with vital organs linking them together. To do something to one, impacts the other as
well. Because of this relationship, most folks are unwilling to make the
personal sacrifice or hard choices that would change the “freedom and risk”
dynamic.
Did you know there
is a freedom greater than those afforded by our Constitution? It is the freedom that comes in committing
your life to follow Christ Jesus. Followers of
Christ can enjoy a freedom that can liberate them from fear, doubt, and
uncertainty. For those who are disciples
in the Christian faith, the Bible tells them to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart.
Don’t depend on your own understanding.
In all of your ways, acknowledge Christ and He will direct your life
journey.” We also know that even
when life is difficult and we “walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, we ought not to fear evil:
for God is with us; he will comfort us.” “If the Son therefore makes you free,
ye shall be free indeed.”
Although the constitutional structure of our Republic
affords Americans many lifestyle freedoms, spiritual freedom is found only in
the heart and mind of each person. The
devil is constantly seeking to bring fear, doubt and bondage to each
individual, but God is constantly seeking to bring freedom and peace to every
heart that will accept him.
Are the freedoms of our Republic worth the risk? I
think so, but I’m not putting all my hopes on political freedoms alone. I am also counting on the freedom that comes
from a heart commitment to Jesus Christ.
When political freedoms show their faults and imperfections I can find
peace of mind, comfort and hope in my spiritual freedom.
Still on the trail and still rambling.
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