Mass Shootings

 https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/san-bernardino-shooting/staggering-stats-there-have-been-more-mass-shootings-days-year-n473436


The answer to "why" is often elusive and dependent upon one's moral, political,  religious, social and racial background. Some blame mass shootings on immigrants and terrorists and others focus upon mental health as the leading cause. A recent study claims that 54% or mass shootings in the US are related to domestic violence. Other causes often cited include, being fired from a job, being on the receiving end of a restraining order, divorce, being cheated on, sexual frustration, or some other reason stemming from being aggrieved. Further, the ease of access to firearms is also cited as a factor especially if one is available close to the time that the person was aggrieved. You know, you cheated on me and I have a gun in the dresser type thing. And, of course, there are those who love to blame those who are different for any and every ill in their life. "I lost my job, those damn Muslims are to blame, think I'll grab my rifle and get rid of some of them." Many also effectively argue that the mentally ill cause very few mass shootings and others will point to racism as a major cause of this social aberation. Clearly, killing people while in church, at a concert, or killing any place is not a sane act in the moment.

A question that needs to be addressed is, Why is mass shooting becoming so prevalent in the US? I think we have to go beyond the why's in any given case and look to see if there is an underlying cause. I think we have to look at the American Culture of Violence. Our history is quite violent and we have often resorted to the gun to solve the problem. We are a gunslinger culture. Kill what gets in your way. Native Americans, kill'em. Wildlife, kill'em. Competitors, kill'em. From the lore of the wild west to the allure of the mobster, Americans love to see the enemy get their due at the end of a barrel. Okay, we have become more "civilized," and we generally don't shoot someone every time things don't go right, but that doesn't mean that the desire is not harbored deep within. Afterall, the most popular movies and games are those that have high degrees of violence. So much so that many have become anesthetized to the killing.

Any plan to take guns away is doomed to failure. Certainly, under a more liberalized political system, changes can be made to rules and regulations that will reduce the likelihood of a mass shooting. Certainly, better screening, vetting, can be done on those who seek firearms. Certainly, there can be better coordination among agencies that keep track of potential shooters or disorders that may lead to shootings and to prevent access to firearms. But here's the thing, when the leader of a nation or any idealogue awakens and supports the gunsliger mentality, bad things, very bad things, are more likely to happen. When a leader mimmicks the shooting of a rifle to kill someone, that action enables the gunslinger mentality. When movies, games and TV shows resolve most situations by killing, the culture of violence is nourished. When religious leaders or rather religious radicals promote attacks on "them," contribute to hate speech, and condone bigotry, then the culture of violence is enabled to rear it's ugly head.

Until and unless we end the fixation on violence to solve problems, all the laws, rules, regulations, and prayers will be for naught.  

The least of my brethren

One cannot help but feel despair for the animal horrors we hear about in Africa. The slaughter of elephants and rhinos can't help but pull at the heart strings. Closer to home, shelters are overflowing as the burdens of economic shifts deter people from giving man's best friend all of the comforts and care they deserve.

If we look at this even closer, we can see that the way we treat our animal cousins reflects the way we have been treating each other. From human trafficking, senseless killings, and the far rights assertion that most of us are just dead weight on the government dole, it is clear that we lack what the term humanity should imply. And yet, where are the outcries? Where are the demonstrations against such wanton cruelties to ourselves and our fellow creatures? Sure, some things are being done, but given the magnitude of the escalating problem, one can only hope that many will join the soft chorus that calls for an end to the violence.

It was said, "What you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me." All of life is our brethren.

INNOCENCE LOST

Sam Harris has some definite views on religion and what follows are an excerpt from his recent blog article, Freedom to Offend an Imaginary God.

 http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/on-the-freedom-to-offend-an-imaginary-god




The latest wave of Muslim hysteria and violence has now spread to over twenty countries. The walls of our embassies and consulates have been breached, their precincts abandoned to triumphant mobs, and many people have been murdered—all in response to an unwatchable Internet video titled “Innocence of Muslims.” Whether over a film, a cartoon, a novel, a beauty pageant, or an inauspiciously named teddy bear, the coming eruption of pious rage is now as predictable as the dawn. This is already an old and boring story about old, boring, and deadly ideas. And I fear it will be with us for the rest of our lives.


Consider what is actually happening: Some percentage of the world’s Muslims—Five percent? Fifteen? Fifty? It’s not yet clear—is demanding that all non-Muslims conform to the strictures of Islamic law. And where they do not immediately resort to violence in their protests, they threaten it. Carrying a sign that reads “Behead Those Who Insult the Prophet” may still count as an example of peaceful protest, but it is also an assurance that infidel blood would be shed if the imbecile holding the placard only had more power. This grotesque promise is, of course, fulfilled in nearly every Muslim society. To make a film like “Innocence of Muslims” anywhere in the Middle East would be as sure a method of suicide as the laws of physics allow.

What exactly was in the film? Who made it? What were their motives? Was Muhammad really depicted? Was that a Qur’an burning, or some other book? Questions of this kind are obscene. Here is where the line must be drawn and defended without apology: We are free to burn the Qur’an or any other book, and to criticize Muhammad or any other human being. Let no one forget it.

Religion only works as a pretext for political violence because many millions of people actually believe what they say they believe: that imaginary crimes like blasphemy and apostasy are killing offenses.

The freedom to think out loud on certain topics, without fear of being hounded into hiding or killed, has already been lost. And the only forces on earth that can recover it are strong, secular governments that will face down charges of blasphemy with scorn. No apologies necessary. Muslims must learn that if they make belligerent and fanatical claims upon the tolerance of free societies, they will meet the limits of that tolerance.

I have to agree with the above statements. Freedom of thought and expression, even if in poor taste, is a fundamental freedom that needs preserving.I do draw a line at hate speech, but criticizing a religion does not fall in that category. In my WAKING GOD TRILOGY, much is said regarding religious dogma and its historic, and current, destructiveness.  These books did not start riots even though there is much criticism of religion and one of the heroes in the novels is Lucifer. Just as Christianity should be faulted for the Inquisition and the crusades, no religion, including Islam, can justify the use of force to prevent criticism. That should be a no brainer that fundamentalists and hard-liners obviously don't get. You can't protect teachings by violating the teachings. The ends do not justify the means. Efforts in the Muslim world to further outlaw blasphemy is not acceptable. Are they so insecure in their faith that violence must be used to fend of anything offensive? Their ideas are a return to the intellectual dark ages and their arguments are based in ignorance.

So yes, Muslims must learn that if they make belligerent and fanatical claims upon the tolerance of free societies, they will meet the limits of that tolerance.