OT: A small rant

[E.C.]

We as a nation (that is Americans) have a bad habit of treating the symptoms and not the cause of the disease. Now, as Orthodox we typically know that sin is the cause of most evil in the world; the rest being our own actions and reactions to things.

This tragedy in Connecticut is no exception. The Lord allows things to happen because of things lacking in our lives and to teach us things. The anti-Christian feelings in America is becoming a part of the national ethos. This is not good. This is bad. Why is it that public Nativity scenes, public Christmas trees and public signing of Christmas songs are banned; while public displays of other religions are not? It is because people no longer see the goodness of the majority of Christians (regardless of sect), but instead are blinded by the dumb***ery of the few bad ones and therefore feel justified to vote away our Christian soul as a nation.

But, there are two things that warm my heart. One is seeing signs in pictures from Connecticut saying "Our prayers our with you" and it is clear that the signs are drawn by both young and old. The cynical side of me feels that its a matter of time before some so-called "politically correct" idiot calls for those to be taken down because he doesn't believe in prayer.

The other is something found on Facebook that I would like to share. It is the words of Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott who was the first Columbine victim, while addressing a Congressional subcommittee. While the Snopes.com people call this a "mix of true and not true", I feel that regardless the meaning is good and worth sharing in its entirety taken from this site: Darrell Scott's address to the U.S. Congress (Thank you Google)

“Since the dawn of creation, there has been a portion of both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of violence and the seeds of loving. “The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of her heroic teacher and the other 11 children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. “One of the first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother, Abel, out in the fields. The villain was the not the club Cain used. The true killer was Cain and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart.
“In the days following the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the National Rifle Association.
“I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA, because I do not believe they are responsible for my daughter’s death.
“I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event which should force us to look for where the real blame lies.
“Much of the blame lies here in this room, (the U.S. Congress.) Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.
“I wrote a poem expressing my own feelings.
“Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
“Your words are empty air.
“You’ve stripped away our heritage,
“You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
“Now, gunshots fill our classrooms,
“And precious children die.
“You seek for answers everywhere,
“Then ask the question ‘why?’
“You regulate restrictive laws,
“Through legislative creed.
“And yet you fail to understand,
“That God is what we need.”
“We all consist of three parts — body, soul and spirit. When we fail to acknowledge that third part of our make-up, we create a void which allows evil, prejudice and hatred to rush in and cause havoc.
“Spiritual influences were present in our educational systems for most of American history. Many major colleges began as theological seminaries. These are historical facts.
“What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God and, in so doing, we have opened the doors to hatred and violence. And, when something as terrible as Columbine occurs, politicians immediately look for a scapegoat like the NRA; they immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws and continue to erode our personal and private liberties.
“We do not need more restrictive laws. (The shooters), Eric and Dylan, would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No gun law will stop someone who spends time planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
“The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place. It will not be squelched.
“We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing our verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million-dollar church buildings being constructed while people’s basic needs are being ignored.
Darren Scott, concluded his speech to a quiet, dumbfounded U.S. Congressional committee, this way:
“As my son, Craig, lay under that classroom table in that school library and saw his friends murdered before his very eyes — he did not hesitate to pray.
“I defy any law or any politician to deny him that right.”

The problem is NOT solely gun control. It is beyond that. It is a problem with our society as a whole.
That is all.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I don't want to speculate God's role in this. That is for the Almighty. But I concur that this country has moved toward a secular Godlessness that puts secular humanism at the proud helm. That "there's nothing the human condition can't overcome!" pride is all too widespread. Gay marriage and abortion are the tip of the iceberg as families are no longer nuclear, but rather a hodge-podge of failed relationships re-welded together, divorce is off the charts, shacking up is seen as prudent planning, and free sex is the norm. People are more materialistic than ever, more driven to gratifying themselves, and charity is lacking.

Like the OP says, at least the outpouring of love and support shows hope through the gloomy clouds. Like after September 11th, there's always hope. Not hope in ourselves and our own wonderful humanity, but in God-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

[gzt]

Nativity scenes and Christmas trees are rarely banned - they make a big splash when they are. The president quoted the Gospels several times in a speech he just made. Despite your cynical side, nobody will take down the signs saying our prayers are with them. And, you know, a lot of people are saying that, and that's something.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I just want schools to stop celebrating Halloween. as a non-Pagan, this holiday offends me.

and that was a joke. but all kidding aside, I can kinda see what EC is saying. although I don't think it is dire or anything, it does seem more and more common to see Christian displays being moved and taken down, and not just at Christmas.

 

[Kristos]

I completely disagree with his very first sentence - we were not created both good and evil - we were created good. Very good, in fact. God did not create evil, it is not a created thing. God does not send tragedy or evil. He does not will it.

Me thinks the spiritual awakening among the youth is more of a moral therapeutic deism than a real coming to themselves as the prodigal son. They cannot break the chains of post-modern philosophy that blinds them to see past their nose. It's all about me and everything is relative.

 

[E.C.]

May a mod close this thread? Now that I've not only gotten most of this junk off of my chest, but I've also re-read it and realized that, frankly, it serves no good purpose.

Thank you.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Plus, when posters start saying things in a Shakespearean manner like "methinks," we're in trouble!

May a mod close this thread? Now that I've not only gotten most of this junk off of my chest, but I've also re-read it and realized that, frankly, it serves no good purpose.

Thank you.

 

[SeventhValley]

The violence is done by young men. Young men who feel dis-empowered and do not know what to do with themselves. Women have taken traditional male roles and left the male with nothing. So the answer for what to do has been for males(as happens in degraded societies or poor countries) to turn to hyper-masculinity where violence rules supreme.

Lets face it a woman can either become a stay at home mom or a career woman. On the other hand a man who has a minimum wage job and wants to be a stay at home Dad would never be able to get the time of day from a successful business woman. On the other hand a woman with no car and a minimum wage job can still be considered a catch by a successful man. Women have more options in today's society

I know women still have problems with pay inequality and other such problems still but I am addressing the male side of the house right now.

Men have lower rates in college, not sure why but i think it has to do with a over emphasis on girls in schools for the last 20 years.

 

[gracefullamb]

So these school children were murdered either because society turned its back on God or because women now have careers and go to university more?? Or maybe he was just autistic and crazy like everyone who knew him is saying...

 

[SeventhValley]

So these school children were murdered either because society turned its back on God or because women now have careers and go to university more?? Or maybe he was just autistic and crazy like everyone who knew him is saying...

Autistic children are rarely psychopathic. So it would be more correct to say he was crazy.

I applaud women being able to be educated and get jobs and careers but while this is a great thing it dose have unintended results. One being men loosing there spiritual and moral places in society. Men cannot bring life into the world. Men cannot sit back and wait for women to come to them as a woman can. So for the average or under average male in society their is nothing left for them with the down economy. Where as women have more societal help and acceptance in this area. Men end up become angry and violent.

Also the over emphasis on liberal arts in schools. I know too many men taught by women teachers to just do whatever makes you happy(a womans point of view) instead of a male emphasis on science,math,and business above all else.

Leading many friends I know to go to college and come out with a degree being unable to find a job and realizing all of the time wasted on liberal arts and music education. Resulting in the down fall of the economy. Heck I joined the military because I realized I have no skills in math and went the one place I could get a job with decent health care and a sense of purpose. Where I feel needed by society.

 

[ArmyMatt]

So these school children were murdered either because society turned its back on God or because women now have careers and go to university more?? Or maybe he was just autistic and crazy like everyone who knew him is saying...

well, I think what he was getting at was that we live in a society that glorifies things like violence, sex, pleasure, and it being "all about me." when you put a kid like Adam Lemza in that kind of environment, something is gonna go down eventually. maybe not him, but someone will.

 

[gracefullamb]

Autistic children are rarely psychopathic. So it would be more correct to say he was crazy.

I applaud women being able to be educated and get jobs and careers but while this is a great thing it dose have unintended results. One being men loosing there spiritual and moral places in society. Men cannot bring life into the world. Men cannot sit back and wait for women to come to them as a woman can. So for the average or under average male in society their is nothing left for them with the down economy. Where as women have more societal help and acceptance in this area. Men end up become angry and violent.

Also the over emphasis on liberal arts in schools. I know too many men taught by women teachers to just do whatever makes you happy(a womans point of view) instead of a male emphasis on science,math,and business above all else.

Leading many friends I know to go to college and come out with a degree being unable to find a job and realizing all of the time wasted on liberal arts and music education. Resulting in the down fall of the economy. Heck I joined the military because I realized I have no skills in math and went the one place I could get a job with decent health care and a sense of purpose. Where I feel needed by society.

Everyone who knows this man is saying he was both autistic and that he had mental problems to the point he could not interact with the world, could not communicate properly, so bad he would allow other children to burn him and do nothing. That when his mother left with a sitter, the sitter couldn't even let him out of her sight long enough to use the bathroom. This man should have been in institution. Oddly though thanks to laws being rewritten in the 60's you can no longer place an adult in an institution without their consent or until the do violence against another.

Don't misunderstand me please, I am not a feminist nor can I stand them. Nor for that matter do I doubt that men are getting a bum rap in society today. This is someone who gave every male in her life last year a coffee mug that reads, "save the males, they're an endangered species!" I get that there has been a movement in our country to emasculate all males. You think it frustrates you, that feminists have done this, it isn't wine and roses for those of us women who have noticed it. So I understand the bigger societal problem, I just don't think it is fair to say that was the problem with this shooting. I think the problem relates more to huge loophole in getting them the treatment they need so this doesn't happen. The fact is we can't force such a person to get treatment, until they commit violence. How is that helping them?

The second and last paragraph applies to both sexes and is one of the things that annoys me about college in this country. When I went to school I was told that by the counselor and my dad who was sitting next to me interrupted and said, "no you can't there are no jobs in basket weaving! You will take what will get you employed not what makes you happy or helps you find yourself." I think do what makes you happy not employable has more to do with the 60's psycho babble then feminism.

While I do agree that the way one is educated today has its roots in feminism. I mean the emphasis on reading or being told stories over actually doing, experimenting. I read a child psychology paper that said males learn better by doing, by getting up and moving, yet at a young age we expect them to sit still and read texts, and just listen. Even math now has emphasis more on reading (word problems) today then it did in the pass. Sciences have this emphasis as well, though I think that is starting to swing back to where it should be.

 

[SeventhValley]

well, I think what he was getting at was that we live in a society that glorifies things like violence, sex, pleasure, and it being "all about me." when you put a kid like Adam Lemza in that kind of environment, something is gonna go down eventually. maybe not him, but someone will.

Yea I guess that is what I was going to say before I went on my rant

 

[SeventhValley]

Everyone who knows this man is saying he was both autistic and that he had mental problems to the point he could not interact with the world, could not communicate properly, so bad he would allow other children to burn him and do nothing. That when his mother left with a sitter, the sitter couldn't even let him out of her sight long enough to use the bathroom. This man should have been in institution. Oddly though thanks to laws being rewritten in the 60's you can no longer place an adult in an institution without their consent or until the do violence against another.

Don't misunderstand me please, I am not a feminist nor can I stand them. Nor for that matter do I doubt that men are getting a bum rap in society today. This is someone who gave every male in her life last year a coffee mug that reads, "save the males, they're an endangered species!" I get that there has been a movement in our country to emasculate all males. You think it frustrates you, that feminists have done this, it isn't wine and roses for those of us women who have noticed it. So I understand the bigger societal problem, I just don't think it is fair to say that was the problem with this shooting. I think the problem relates more to huge loophole in getting them the treatment they need so this doesn't happen. The fact is we can't force such a person to get treatment, until they commit violence. How is that helping them?

The second and last paragraph applies to both sexes and is one of the things that annoys me about college in this country. When I went to school I was told that by the counselor and my dad who was sitting next to me interrupted and said, "no you can't there are no jobs in basket weaving! You will take what will get you employed not what makes you happy or helps you find yourself." I think do what makes you happy not employable has more to do with the 60's psycho babble then feminism.

While I do agree that the way one is educated today has its roots in feminism. I mean the emphasis on reading or being told stories over actually doing, experimenting. I read a child psychology paper that said males learn better by doing, by getting up and moving, yet at a young age we expect them to sit still and read texts, and just listen. Even math now has emphasis more on reading (word problems) today then it did in the pass. Sciences have this emphasis as well, though I think that is starting to swing back to where it should be.

I totally agree. I am also not advocating things go back to the way they were. Repression pretty much caused the 60's. But to try and move forward to a place where a woman can get a job and career but also where men are valued and can find a place in this new society.

 

[gracefullamb]

I totally agree. I am also not advocating things go back to the way they were. Repression pretty much caused the 60's. But to try and move forward to a place where a woman can get a job and career but also where men are valued and can find a place in this new society.

I am actually hopeful we'll see more of a balance in the future, hopefully near as opposed to far off future. It seems that after the woman's lib movement we had this period were women where told they had to be like men to be equal; which I think is part of what caused the sex liberation, or at least that is what I have read. Then we have this period that came after that where men were told they had to be more like women for true equality to exist, which gives us this whole emasculation and get in touch with your feminine side that has occurred for the last couple decades. So maybe since we have tried both those and saw it doesn't work we can now try equal with realizing and accepting we are different!