Still no computer, only an iPad, so here goes some thoughts on Orlando, sans fancy fonts and graphics.
Thoughts
The shooting in Orlando happened Sunday morning, but I’m just now getting around to writing anything about it. Of course, I did bring it up first thing that morning from the pulpit, but it’s just now that I’ve decided to sit down and pen – more like “thumb” – my thoughts.
But who am I, really? What do my thoughts matter? I’m not gay; I’m a straight male (born that way and happy with my biology). I do not affirm the homosexual lifestyle; I preach it is a sinful attack on the design of our Creator for human relationships, even an affront to the very nature of God. I’m not even anti-gun, nor do I want to repeal the second amendment to the Constitution; I think gun-free zones (aka “soft targets”) are the epitome of idiocy. So, who am I to speak out? It’s not like I’m going to be flying a rainbow flag in honor of the 49 killed, or anything.
I am a voice, and that’s why my thoughts matter. I don’t deserve to be heard, but I have a right to speak my mind. And if I don’t take advantage of this right, while I still have it, along with the right to bear arms it might be taken away before what I want to say has a chance to be heard.
So, here’s my thoughts.
Guns and Gun-free Zones
It has been said that “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” It may be considered cliché, but it’s still true. I have multiple weapons in my home, even on my body, and I have no fear any one of them will rise up when I least expect it and try to kill me. I could yell at my Smith & Wesson from now till the proverbial cows come home, but it will never get offended, angry, or try to avenge itself. It’s only a tool.
As always when a shooting takes place, people are calling for more gun control in America. Some are even calling for repealing the Second Amendment. They argue that the only way to keep things like this from happening is to take away access to guns – all guns, not just assault-style weapons. But taking guns away will not take the murderers away, will it?
Gun-free zones? How’d that work out for you? Compare how many people have died in gun-free zones as opposed to gun-friendly zones. For example, when the eight were killed in Charleston, they were hiding behind and under pews in the church as the deranged freak reloaded his .45 multiple times! If just one or two of those poor folk had been armed as those in our church are, he might have emptied one magazine, but he sure as hades wouldn’t have reloaded and kept shooting!!!
When seconds count, the police will show up in minutes. In a world where Islamic hate is intent on wiping out all opposition; in a world where criminals care nothing about life or the law; because you will never be able to rid America of all its weapons, especially from the hands of criminals; only fools will sit like lambs waiting to be slaughtered as they seek comfort from the other end of a 911 call. Just in case the police don’t show up in time, I’d much prefer to be able to return fire. I’d rather die fighting than hiding.
Flying the Rainbow
Here’s the thing: I don’t hate homosexuals. I know that might be hard for some to understand, but it’s absolutely true. However, there are those who would call me a liar, all because they believe that it’s impossible to love people without affirming their behavior…because somehow behavior, self-perception, and inherent human value are inextricably linked. But where were the Christian flags outside the gay bars the day after Charleston?
No, I don’t hate gays, but I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon and change my Facebook profile pic to a rainbow. I’m not going to fly a rainbow flag in my front yard or from the church flag pole. I’m not going to yield to public pressure to give credence to a sexually-immoral lifestyle and anti-religious agenda by displaying the co-opted colors of God’s covenant with Noah. I will, however, continue to fly our flag at half-staff – because 50 lives were taken in a senseless act of hate.
The Blame Game
Right now the mainstream media and the social left are playing the blame game, but few are laying the blame at the proper feet. What happened in Orlando is not the fault of guns, a lack of security, or anti-LGBTQ bigotry and hate. What happened was not a result of me preaching that same-sex marriage is an abomination. What happened in Orlando was not incited by conservative talk-radio shows or Tea Party activists. What happened in Orlando at the Pulse nightclub was the result of Islamic, sharia-style, intolerant hatred.
Many want to blame all religion for what happened Sunday. Most, however, want to lay the blame at the feet of Christianity! No, Islam is not to blame, for it’s a religion of peace, or so we are told. On the other hand, were it not for those Christians who refuse to accept the forced change of their beliefs, none of this would have happened. The whole problem with that accusation is that it’s not true. Actually, it’s the complete opposite.
If you want to blame anything, blame man’s fallen nature; blame sin. The last ones to blame are those who try to pattern their lives after the One who gave His own life to save sinners.
In Conclusion
May God have mercy on and show compassion to those who mourn. May genuine love, not cheap pandering, reign supreme. May evil be exposed and the light of Truth shine bright.
I know this a new word because I can’t find a definition for it. As a matter of fact, when I did a definition search, not only did Google keep asking me, “Did you mean annihilate?”, but other helpful tools started popping up. For example, I didn’t know there was anything out there that searched word-game databases. However, the one I clicked on informed me that anilate was not accepted in ANY word game played in the English-speaking world.
The Recovering Legalist 