The beyond terrible events in Newtown, CT this past week have led to another spate of Facebook posts politicizing the death of 20 little kids. "Guns don't kill, people do" is a common theme among some.
I can't disagree with that sentiment. But I also don't think that it tells the whole truth. Hunters who use guns and keep them responsibly locked up are one thing. People who own several handguns, including semi-automatics, are another. It only takes one gun to protect yourself, if that's why you own a gun. So why did a mentally ill man have access to at least 6 guns, all listed in his Mother's name?
I don't like guns, never have. But this debate shouldn't be about guns. It should be about gun ownership, and putting stricter rules around who gets a gun, what kind of gun, and how many guns.
I don't get offended at the pro or anti gun sentiments on Facebook, just like I don't get offended when my Conservative friends state their opinions, which are opposite mine. It's part of what makes America great.
But the last couple days I've been seeing several posts, using the image of Jesus, that imply that if God were allowed in schools, this never would have happened. REALLY?
It hurts my soul, because it implies that somehow God isn't with us always, everywhere. And it implies that somehow this horrific tragedy is our government's fault for separating church and state. Or our fault for not believing in the right God, namely Jesus.
If religion was taught in our public schools (and I assume it would be the Christian religion since the Facebook posters reference a Caucasian, western image of Jesus in their posts), how would that have stopped a mentally deranged gunman from entering the school and doing what he did? Does having God in the schools put a Harry Potter like invisible barrier around the school? And would that barrier protect the Jewish kids too? How about the Hindus? Muslims too?
I pray to God that he forgives us for bringing him into this dialogue.
