Desensitizing Ourselves to Violence

Like so many across the country, I am heartbroken over the tragedy in Connecticut as well as other acts of violence that have permeated our culture. I hear so much regarding the answer to the problem of violence in our country being more government regulation, ie: gun control, yet this idea of treating symptoms rather than problems just seems so backward and naive. One only needs look at history to realize that humans have been destroying humans since humanity began…long before guns were ever an issue.

The problem with our society is that evil exists and evil seeks to destroy. Looking through history, it seems obvious that as cultures desensitize themselves to violence and let immorality run loose, they fail. As cultures use violence for sport and entertainment, immorality and violence prevailed. The Babylonians and Romans with their lion dens and gladiator fights, Medieval knight competitions… people have glorified violence as sport and entertainment since the beginning of time. We continue that bent with movies, media and video games that are increasingly violent, all the while desensitizing this generation and teaching them to solve problems with violence.

History also is filled with examples of governments that have taken greater control of the populace, until finally there is revolt. Great civilizations have crumbled when their governments have sought to control, tax, enslave and make the population dependent on government.

We would do well to pay closer attention to the lessons of history as we are not above repeating it… again.

Gun control will not solve the problem of violence. A more forceful and controlling government will not solve the problem. A return to God, morality, and placing value on every human life is the only answer… for there will be evil in this world until Jesus returns and puts evil in its place forever.