200 Mass shootings in 127 Days

[Dan Z]

So far, in the first 127 days of 2023, there have been 200 Mass shootings in the US (the most recent yesterday killed nine in a Mall in Allen TX)...that's almost two per day!

It feels like we are living in a very sick society right now. May the Spirit of Christ help us to minister peace and hope in the midst of such turmoil.

https://apnews.com/article/mass-killing ... d8713d451c

[Soloist]

One could also pull out figures on childhood hunger, homelessness, violent crimes in general, harmful medicine and a number of other things.
Ultimately a rejection of God does not lead to utopia nor does any human bandage.
We should expect all of this to get worse regardless of any laws passed.

[Valerie]

2 TIMOTHY 3
In Perilous Times
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


So, prophetically speaking here and from Jesus' own words it will get worse as we get closer to His glorious return for His Bride, the Church-

We need to pray to be lights in this present darkness, be used where we can and able, let go of "this" life and encourage one another in the faith that redeems us and those who need the hope & message of the Gospel

[Robert]

One could also pull out figures on childhood hunger, homelessness, violent crimes in general, harmful medicine and a number of other things.
Ultimately a rejection of God does not lead to utopia nor does any human bandage.
We should expect all of this to get worse regardless of any laws passed.

The US government and culture are in the organizational life cycle. We are heading straight towards death.

[Sudsy]

On a positive note - paraphrase - Romans 5:20

“For wherever sin exists in abundance and is multiplying and constantly expanding, that is precisely the time and place where grace is poured out in a far greater, surpassing quantity.”

I can look at the situation with doom and gloom or rather be excited and ready to be involved in this time where grace abounds. I talked with a fellow believer yesterday and he spoke the often quoted phrase regarding the state of the world saying 'come Lord Jesus'. And as much as I look forward to that day of His return and a new heaven and new earth, seeing grace being poured out as sin increases is also an exciting thought and one to be involved in.

[Szdfan]

America has always had a violent culture that’s currently exasperated by our extreme sense of individualism, having too many guns and a growing lack of connection to community and each other.

[Robert]

America has always had a violent culture that’s currently exasperated by our extreme sense of individualism, having too many guns and a growing lack of connection to community and each other.

Contrasted by the Marxists that the government killed millions upon millions.

So we have weaponized individuals who, on the mass, never harm anyone contrasted to weaponized governments that kill millions.

I will go for individualism.

[justme]

... a growing lack of connection to community and each other.

i think that is the root cause. and of course, access to guns combined w the root cause of lack of connection to each other is a recipe for disaster.
the question is, which is easier to fix?
access to guns needs to be controlled, it can't be fixed
connection to each other needs to be fixed, not controlled. control and connection don't mix.

i think maybe i might just have talked myself into understanding why gun control is such a hot topic. side #1 says: don't make me give up my guns, i don't want to be controlled. but i don't want to work on my relationships either. and side 2 says: i'm not putting in the effort to fix relationships, i like control, so lets focus on gun control. you need to give up your guns.

[Szdfan]

America has always had a violent culture that’s currently exasperated by our extreme sense of individualism, having too many guns and a growing lack of connection to community and each other.

Contrasted by the Marxists that the government killed millions upon millions.

So we have weaponized individuals who, on the mass, never harm anyone contrasted to weaponized governments that kill millions.

I will go for individualism.

I’m not sure how Marxism is relevant to a serious social problem we’re dealing with.

A society where people are afraid to attend a birthday party, the mall or school because someone might start shooting is not a healthy society. A society where someone might get shot because they rang the wrong doorbell, drove down the wrong driveway or got into the wrong car is also not a healthy society.

Of course most weaponized individuals are not going to shoot and kill someone, but the danger is that enough of them will to create the sense that public space is unsafe. We need public space in order to maintain a sense of community and keep the fabric of society together.

I think the sense that we’re all alone and the neighbors are dangerous is harmful.

[Szdfan]

and side 2 says: i'm not putting in the effort to fix relationships, i like control, so lets focus on gun control. you need to give up your guns.

I think there are some who believe that, but I would argue that’s different from the belief that there need to be some reasonable restrictions on the availability to buy and possess guns. I don’t think that’s just about control.