Oh, dismay, dismay…another horrible mass shooting yesterday, this time at Northern Illinois University, leaving 6 dead, and many more wounded.
When will the mindless killing stop?
When conversing about the tragedy with my wife this morning, she observed, “What an extreme form of selfishness on the part of the murderer.” And her comment got me to thinking more.
I agreed with her analysis.
Walking out on a stage in front of a classroom full of students and opening fire at random with no offense done by any of the victims is selfishness to the hilt. There was no regard whatsoever in the mind of the killer for the well being of those students. Absolutely none! This was extreme selfishness…the murderer thinking only about himself and entertaining his own personal views.
I immediately asked, “How do we prevent tragedies like this from happening?” And my long run analytical approach to life replied, “Rid our children and population of selfishness.”
Whoa…sounds like a tall order. But I believe there is an inkling of truth here to be appreciated.
As my mind’s wheels turned, it occurred to me that perhaps society at large takes selfishness too lightly. When people see a selfish act, many discount it or even ignore it, justifying the egotism as part of human nature. But should this be? I’m beginning to think not.
Many of us have selfish moments. I certainly have had mine… But maybe extremes of selfishness should not be tolerated in our society any longer anymore than robbing the local bank or destroying public property is allowed. If an ultimate outcome of the extreme self-centered thought is public acts of murder, like the above type of shooting, then shouldn’t the animus of the evil be checked early on? For example, with children at a young age, being raised at home, attending elementary school, and beyond?
How much suffering do we have to endure at the hand of mindless murderers before we realize there is a fundamental shift in thought that needs to occur in public thought to prevent such horrific acts from germinating in the first place?
I don’t mean to imply that I understand all the dynamics and background of yesterday’s shooting. I do not. But I know something needs to change in our society’s thinking to turn the tide away from an increasing number of these types of shootings. A bit more unselfishness in how we interact with each other may help.
I think these acts reflect our culture, and the society we have come to be. Our political leaders use violence to solve problems, and fail to care how the U.S. is seen by other countries around the world. I have great hope for this country when Barack Obama becomes president! Young people will have hope and feel that they are part of a great nation (compassionate, global-minded, respected). Then they will be inspired to do good, not evil.
For decades now we have had an idea in our society that struggle is bad and many people go to extraordinary lengths to shield and protect their kids from having to struggle/deal with natural consequences of their behavior. Usually the struggle for a solution to problems is what teaches kids how to handle adversity so now we have these self-destructing conscienceless young adults out there that meltdown when life gets tough and cause societal mayhem. Add to that the current slide from real experience to “virtual” living with the proliferation of electronic lifestyles and now we have a generation of kids that are wired differently than we’ve ever seen before.
It seems to me it’s going to take some new inspired ways of thinking on all our parts to find the solution to these evils.
I have no idea what was behind it, but it does seem like mental illness to me.
We are not near enough on top of that problem for the general public.
The help offered medically is spotty at best. Getting someone to take medication is near impossible for the adults around them.
Sometimes parents can be asking for help for years and told help can be given only once an event happens.
It is sad for all involved. My heart goes out to them.
I find some purpose for thought in part of one of your answers on February 12, 2008, taken out of content, “Evil has a hold on us until it’s seeming grip is totally dissolved”. Our continued metaphysical daily prayer helps to rid our own material thoughts.
I agree with the last anonymous comment and not the previous one. We can only change OUR thought. Not those of others. We can pray, metaphysically, for the mentality of “shooters” and those not in line mentally with the “Christ idea.” Mental illness and the claim of it is not using Christian Science. We are supposed to hold thought to the “enduring, the good and the true” and that includes not accepting that this shooters identity is separate from God. He is still a child of God, just as we are, however, his thought was not in line with his true identity.
Bottom line? All we can do as a society is to pray for global peace and keep our thought as in line with what is true! We cannot change anyone’s behavior, thoughts, actions except our own!
It is true that we begin all reform efforts by getting our own thought in line with Truth. But the neat part is, as we get our thought in line with Truth, and rest that right thinking upon our neighbor, it does benefit them too. And in that way, our prayers change the world.
Absolutely, Evan! Thank you for your clarification!