21 I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
Amos 5
We've been having the "thoughts and prayers" conversation in our household over the past twenty-four hours. I expressed my disgust that certain leaders have been offering inanities about thoughts and prayers for the victims of the terrible massacre in Las Vegas where 59 innocent people where shot and killed, including at least three Canadians, while enjoying a concert. While President Trump described what happened as an "act of pure evil" --which it certainly was -- the systemic evil of the United States is the complicity at so many levels in allowing individuals to arm themselves as though they are going to war. Since the inception of the United States 1.4 million citizens have died in wars while 1.5 million have been shot to death -- since 1968. Intoning a psalm and bowing heads are a woefully insufficient response to this carnage.
When Ruth pushed a bit as I spluttered we agreed that prayer is important in the face of loss and tragedy. We pray for friends and family, and over the years I prayed publicly for situations of distress around the globe, as well as for members of congregations. What many faith leaders are saying is that the "thoughts and prayers" phrase is being used as an abdication of genuine responsibility for change. Approved federal and state bills for changes to gun legislation and availability would be the highest form of public prayer in a nation which appears addicted to weapons.
Comments?
5 comments:
Once again, this is the culminating work of the firearms lobby in the US, and that includes its most vociferous ally, the NRA.
The principal perpetrator of this crime (or was it "domestic terrorism"?), was in possession of a total of 42 firearms (some, obviously, fully automatic)! Are you kidding me!!
I say principal perpetrator because the firearms lobby must be held accountable as accessories for all of these crimes that have been committed over the years.
With this rant I am not commenting on typical hunting/target shooting firearms.
Concealed handguns, assault and fully automatic weapons (typically military) are an obscenity. And the total misrepresentation of their precious "second amendment rights" a complete travesty and disgrace.
Until the citizenry gets real and demands justice to get rid of these lobbies, nothing will change.
Unfortunately, Frank is spot on , right ! The American people do not see the "right to bear arms as the problem. It is beyond ridiculous to allow anyone access to suh heavy weaponry - why does an average citizen need these????? CRAZY and totally irresponsible. I laugh when I see Donald Trump pretending to pray and being prayed over. That, too, is sacrilege !
I agree with Frank and Judy. Sadly, this shooting in Vegas will not change anything regarding gun laws in the U.S.
If nothing changed after Sandy Hook, with all those children killed, then I can't see anything making the Americans do something about the ridiculous number of guns, especially assault weapons, that are out there.
The real kicker is the change in legislation that the Republican government sneaked in, allowing mentally ill people access to weapons - that government is INSANE!It obviously does not care at all about the average American citizen !
Thanks to all three of you for adding to the conversation, as grim as it is.
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