It hasn't even been a week since the terrible shooting in Aurora, CO, and addressing this in a post is not something I would normally do, but I feel like its something I need to do. Since the shooting, I've seen and heard things from people, mainly friends on social media sites, that has made me angry and I feel like I need to address some of those things. I know that a lot of what I'm going to say may be controversial. While I do appreciate comments, thoughts, ideas, or corrections, I'm not looking to have an all out battle here on the blog. Everyone has the right to their opinion, and this is simply my opinion.
First things first, I've heard/seen people make light of the situation. For instance, someone posted on Facebook "I want to go see Dark Knight, but I don't want to get shot". That's not funny. It never will be funny. What happened was a terrible thing that was not planned out on a large scale to assault several movie theaters many states away. By saying things like this, you are making the deaths of those people less important. I had someone say to me that maybe thats how that person deals with their emotions (by making jokes). Well I have this to say about that, I don't always deal well with things either, I occasionally make the bad joke at the worse possible time, BUT I always go back and apologize when I figure out how wrong I was. I also try to keep statements like that to a small group of friends who understands when I make mistakes like that. I don't go and post it all over social media sites. Be careful about what you say on social media sites!
Secondly, I've seen a lot of talk about either calling for stricter gun control or the other side which is calling for more people to become licensed to carry a weapon. My thoughts on this...well thats difficult. I appreciate gun control. I don't think that just anyone should be able to get a gun and I definitely don't think it should be easy to get a gun. I also think that people should be allowed to carry guns. BUT, I agree with one person's statement that if several people in the theatre had had guns, then when the police came in, it would have been hard for them to tell who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. I'm not saying that people shouldn't carry guns to protect themselves. I'm saying that not everyone should carry guns.
Third, and this is the one that gets asked every time something terrible happens, "Where was God?" or "Why would a good God, let bad things like this happen?". Well let me start with the fact that God is perfect and He knew what was going to happen before the world was made. This is a sinful world and there are many sinful people living in it. God has given everyone free will, and that means that when people make decisions to do things like this, because of their free will, God isn't going to stop it, but He did know this man was going to make this decision. Many times before, I've sat and tried to make sense of the senseless crimes that happen in our country and others. And what I've discovered, and really should have realized much sooner, is that you can't hold non-believers to the same standards that you hold believers. While the world may have good morals and rules that they follow, they aren't the same things that govern the believer. And thats where the difference lies. And this is something I have to remind myself of all the time. When divorce, cheating, fathers/husbands leaving their families, shootings, bombings, and all the other crazy stuff doesn't make sense, I have to remind myself that they aren't following the same rules. This may not make sense to others, but it makes sense to me.
What happened in Aurora was a terrible thing. I have family that lives there, friends who have lived there, and it rocked my world when I heard about this. I am very thankful that no one I know was there that night. But 12 people were killed that night and many others injured, and that just can't be ignored. I was in tears as I read about it on Friday morning, and just like that happened there, it could very well have happened, or could happen, anywhere. If you don't know where you would spend eternity, I would love to talk with you. I personally know where I will go when I die, and I hope you do too. Life is far too short to not think about eternal things. Please continue praying for the families who have lost loved ones and for those still in hospitals recovering. I leave you with this final thought. As you form your opinion on this man, if you are a believer, think about these verses:
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" -Matthew 5:44-46
With Love,
Mya
-Praying for Aurora
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