Not So Different

It's my first day of being a blogger. My second week in the beautiful state of Oregon. Yes, it does rain here but the sun comes out every once in a while to prevent the SADs from coming on to harshly.

I write today with a contemplative heart. For many, our holiday spirits have been dampened by the shooting in the Clackamas Mall. One's initial reaction is generally, "How could this happen?" or "What kind of person would do such a thing?"

My wife and I always seem to get into a "discussion" about gun ownership. Her view is that they should be banned. My view is that if all responsible people carried that guy would have been dead quickly. I am a bit perplexed in my soul when I say such things because I know to take a life is not an easy thing to do. For those of us who desire to live in peace and at peace with our fellow man, the action goes against something internal. It also goes against my belief that God is the giver and taker of life, and outside of the governmental authorities instituted by God and the military, no one should take that authority over another life. The "man" in me, however, says, "lets take care of business." The guy who came into the mall with a bullet proof vest, mask, and semi-automatic weapon was not there to protect innocent lives but to take them. Your option at that point is either offense or defense but you can't say that I'm not playing.

By all accounts he seemed to be a normal guy without any priors and so my comment this morning was, "Unfortunately, I think we are all like him. We all have the potential to 'snap' or to simply make the choice to hurt others. Thank God, once again, for his unfailing grace and mercy." Perhaps its not so black and white -- just shades of grey.