{"id":576,"date":"2012-07-22T08:45:09","date_gmt":"2012-07-22T12:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=576"},"modified":"2012-07-22T08:45:09","modified_gmt":"2012-07-22T12:45:09","slug":"colorado-killings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=576","title":{"rendered":"Colorado killings"},"content":{"rendered":"

In moments of tragedy, we grapple for answers.\u00a0 Pained by unspeakable shock, we seek solution.\u00a0 \u201cWe must fix this,\u201d<\/em> we demand, \u201cSo it <\/em>never <\/em><\/strong>happens again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We.<\/p>\n

Must.<\/p>\n

Fix.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Never<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sorry, friends, but I\u2019m a little struck.\u00a0 I\u2019m struck by this feeling that \u201cwe\u201d are so capable, that we\u2019re capable of \u201cfixing.\u201d\u00a0 We think we\u2019re so in control.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow could he do this?!\u201d\u00a0<\/em> How could a 24 year old man, James Holmes, described as a \u201cbrilliant science student\u201d \u2014\u00a0reportedly planning for months\u00a0\u2014\u00a0ravage through that theater Thursday night, mercilessly murdering the innocent?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We grapple and seek once again.\u00a0 \u201cHow could he do this?\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve heard some of the articulated reasons…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe lost it!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just off inside.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s insane!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMust be a chemical imbalance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

“He thinks he’s the Joker!”<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also heard the early instant fixes…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake action now!”<\/em><\/p>\n

“We need gun control!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

“Tougher gun laws!”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cStop the violent video games!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAll movie theaters must have electronic screeners… restaurants, too!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As witnessed above, in tragedy, we\u2019re tempted to rush to both judgment and solution.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because otherwise we have to admit that evil exists.\u00a0 What James Holmes did Thursday night was evil. \u00a0It was wicked. \u00a0There are few other ways to authentically describe it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The inherent challenge for us then is that no legislation or philosophical explanation can eradicate wickedness. \u00a0We can’t simply “fix it.” \u00a0Hence, what can we do?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We can fix our thoughts on what is good and pure and right…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We can focus on the victims… the young man who dove in front of his girlfriend, shielding her from the bullets… the 6 year old girl… the newlywed… the young female sports reporter… focusing on their innocence.<\/p>\n

We can focus on the community… how people work together… \u00a0support one another… law enforcement… leaders and politicians… \u00a0focusing on what we have in common instead of this divisive crud.<\/p>\n

We can focus on a God who knows far more than us… humbling ourselves… recognizing we can’t possibly have all the answers… focusing on the comfort that only an omniscient power can provide.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This post doesn\u2019t offer any answers.\u00a0 It also doesn\u2019t answer any \u201cwhy\u2019s\u201d or \u201cwhat if\u2019s,\u201d and it certainly doesn\u2019t provide a so-called solution to the “problem.” \u00a0The Intramuralist simply suggests that \u00a0wickedness isn\u2019t something we can \u201cfix.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable \u2014 think about such things.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yes, we would be wise to think of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectfully,<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In moments of tragedy, we grapple for answers.\u00a0 Pained by unspeakable shock, we seek solution.\u00a0 \u201cWe must fix this,\u201d we demand, \u201cSo it never happens again.\u201d   We. Must. Fix.   Never\u00a0again.   Sorry, friends, but I\u2019m a little struck.\u00a0 I\u2019m struck by this feeling that \u201cwe\u201d are so capable, that we\u2019re capable of \u201cfixing.\u201d\u00a0 … <\/p>\n

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