Moral indignation is never in short supply during such crises, but what is needed is some assurance that the means selected will achieve the desired end. In this case, an inexcusable combination of boorishness and ignorance pushes matters in the wrong direction. The boorishness of people like Senator Murphy undermines the social solidarity needed to boost morale and allow a nation to meet the perils at hand. When people say their thoughts and prayers are with others, they are making a small but vital gesture that tells people who have lost loved ones that they are not alone. To mock that behavior is just a thinly veiled way to attack those who are opposed to new forms of gun control.
Occasional Holy Man and Luthier Who Offers Stray, Provocative, and Insouciant Thoughts About Religion, Archaeology, Human Foible, Surfing, and Interesting People. Thalassophile. Nemesis of all Celebrities [except for Chuck Norris]. He Lives Vicariously Through Himself. He has a Piece of Paper That Proves He's Laird of Glencoe.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
More and More Prayer Shaming
If we're going to actually do something about what the Episcopal Church in Connecticut labels as gun violence, then we're going to have to learn to speak to one another respectfully and without the scabrous indulgences of groupthink. It appears we cannot look to the public square for that model. [As this is now the third article that I've read that features the unfortunate Twitter comments of one of my senators, it's safe to say he's become the Prayer-Shamer-in-Chief.]