Oct. 1 marked the first day of National Domestic Violence Awareness month. In Arkansas in 2016, 31 adults were killed due to domestic violence. On that first October night of 2017, the world was rocked by the premeditated murders of 58 people and the wounding of 500 others in Las Vegas at the hands of an American domestic terrorist.
Like other tragedies, we ask one another, "Where were you?" and "What were your first thoughts?"
I was at home and I recalled all those first thoughts after I heard about the Pulse Night Club, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Virginia Tech University, Columbine High School, and the "others."
I recalled a time when I was a college freshman and decided to start smoking. Later that year, the Surgeon General declared that smoking was hazardous to our health. This warning was printed on every pack of cigarettes. How did America react to this warning? The purchase of cigarettes and other tobacco products increased and some nonsmokers became smokers. I didn't stop smoking for 13 years.
On the day after -- while some of the victims were still fighting for their lives -- right on cue, politicians repeated their mantra to pray for the families of the victims and, in the same breath, that it was not a time to be talking about gun control. As Greg Harton wrote, "Kicking the congressional can down a road (is) so littered it could be mistaken for Allen Canning Company warehouse."
There was of course an instant National Rifle Association "cliché" commercial with only the name of the killing field changed. As predicted, the stocks of the gun manufacturing companies rose by 3 percent. Americans rushed out to buy bump-fire stocks, more guns and ammo. The charades will go on and the news channels will scroll across our television screens announcing,"There has been a shooting."
We know how to pray from our hearts, to wait and listen to the voice of God, and do what we are called to do. I don't believe Jesus ever taught the disciples to kick the can down the road.
After my parents died, I found several World War II Ration Books. Americans were willing to ration food and other necessities in order that our troops could have the supplies they needed to fight against our enemies. Americans were willing, and I believe they are still willing to make personal sacrifices for peace. We the people united and won World War II, and so can we unite and win the war against domestic violence.
I believe we are all suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There have been too many hurricanes and other natural disasters, murders, and chaotic leadership. I suggest we read the poem, "The Hollow Men," by T.S. Elliot.
May we all kneel down in prayer and offer to God our pain, confusion, and our need for healing. No matter how hard it may seem, may we all courageously do those sacrificial things God calls us to do. May we hear the voice of God and "beat all our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks."
• • •
Ken Parks is the former rector of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista. He can be reached by email to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 10/18/2017