Massacre and Violent Rhetoric:

I wrote some of these words 12 years ago after the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, CT. Unfortunately not much has changed, other than a continued increase in violent rhetoric from many sides. We are especially seeing a lot more violent rhetoric within right-leaning political circles. The public growth and empowerment of Nazi, Neo-Nazi, white supremacist, racist, misogynist, and anti-immigrant sentiment, including related rhetoric and actions continues to increase. We can talk all we want about minor contributing factors, but it does no good if we do not stem the tide of incivility in our media, political, and social discourse.

Too many pundits in religious circles have been decrying various issues as responsible for the massacre at Sandy Hook. Some say the issue is the separation of church and state and the withdrawal of state-sponsored religious speech and rituals. Others claim the influence of video game and television violence, or the prevalence of and easy access to deadly weapons and ammunition. Others decry how society treats, shames, or blocks access to mental health care. Some decry social isolation and a perceived loss of opportunity. Others cry for increased security measures at schools. Of late, I am hearing more voices attributing some of the violence to economic disparities.

These issues need to be addressed. Several of these criticisms hold value and indeed contribute to the issue at hand.

There is another issue, however, I am still not hearing addressed enough. It's the same issue that comes into play when "Westboro Baptist Church" enters the picture: speech riddled with anger and incivility. We have too often allowed such to the be norm for what we pass off as dialogue. Verbal attacks against people lead to violent actions against people. The connection is not direct, but it is there. When I bring a weapon to a discussion, tensions escalate. It matters not what kind of weapon I bring to the table. When words are my weapon, I still teach and model violence. Others will build on my example.

If we were serious about putting an end to violence in our schools and our society at large, we would work out a way to change the character and quality of our dialogue, nationally, internationally, politically, locally, and personally.

The Bible tells us, "Love covers a multitude of sins," and "a harsh word stirs up anger, but a soft answer turns away wrath." An answer to our tide of violence begins with a change of the attitudes reflected in our speech. We will still have to struggle through proper concerns over mental health care, arms and ammo regulation, media violence, school safety, broken families, loss of community, economic inequality, and the role of both faith and government in healing a hurting world.

The first step is simple, however. We must turn off the hate, anger, and violence in our words and those we promote by lending our ears.

Hate has never built anything of value. Violent rhetoric has never been constructive. Peace does not come from violence. Love does not come from anger. Joy is not the product of enmity. Until we stem the tide of violent rhetoric, the outcomes will never change for the good. How much more hate, death, and destruction do we really want to see?



— ©Copyright 2025, Christopher B. Harbin 



http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/

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