Sensationalizing Evil

By now, the whole world has heard about the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut where 20 innocent children and 6 brave adults were gunned down. In addition to those mentioned, the shooter's mother and the shooter himself, were also part of the casualties. We all felt the pain, anguish, sorrow, loss and anger together, as a nation, as we tried to understand how someone could do something so horrendous, so senseless and so unthinkable. As pictures began to surface and news programs inundated us with information overload, our emotions were being manipulated in a way that I found totally irresponsible! Lives were lost. Children were being terrorized by the visions they just witnessed, something NO child should EVER endure. Families were desperately trying to make sure their children weren't part of the casualties. And the news reporters spotted weaknesses and went in for whatever it was worth......

This was truly an act of PURE evil. Satan got a hold of a very emotionally disturbed individual, possibly even sociopathic, and used him as a tool to do the unspeakable. No nice way to put it but to say the truth. This young man, who they began to say was Autistic and then had Asperger's disease, snapped. Asperger is in the Autistic spectrum and usually neither of these conditions present with this kind of violence unless coupled with other mental illnesses. The media took off with that "tip" and off it went. The media began to evaluate the background of this young man, finding out he was a "loner." People being interviewed about him and his mother really didn't have too much to say that was newsworthy. The reporters couldn't find too much "dirt" on either of them. Why? Because, as one knows, most Autistic children, as well as those in the Autistic spectrum, usually are loners. But what the media didn't mention is children and adults alike, with Autism, or in the spectrum, act out immediately to a situation....they don't plan, they don't scheme and they sure don't have the mental capacity to go to the lengths this young man took.  Why did this even matter at this point anyway? I had to wonder about the hunger that our society has for the "dirt" on the evil among us. This saddened me because all of these lives were taken selfishly and senselessly. The media reported on the incident just shy of two days....the rest of the reporting began to slowly show the real agenda.....the manipulation of the masses. Gun control.

Jesus with His children

In the days to come shortly following this horrendous act of violence and evil, they began delving into his mother's personal preferences for guns and survival techniques. Not one of his victims had been laid to rest. Everyone was still trying to grasp the depths of this evil act on the innocent children. He didn't have mercy on his own mother as he took her life so why did it matter whether or not she had guns or not? It doesn't matter if anyone owns guns because ultimately if they are going to take someones life, they will find any means possible to do so. It's not guns we have to worry about and control. It's the people who have access to them and how we are raising our youth in a world full of violent games, movies, behaviors and the 15 minutes of fame on YouTube. I know what I'm about to say is a debatable statement among some circles, but I know violence begets violence and the video games that parents are allowing their children to spend HOURS upon hours playing, is contributing to the numbing emotions towards humanity as they grow into adults. Between the games full of killings and bloodshed to the violence in the movies, what can be expected? Moderation is not in the vocabulary of the world these days and video games have become babysitters, teachers and mentors. All of the young impressionable minds that stay focused on the kill will sooner or later be affected in a negative way. And worse if that child is in any way mentally challenged.

I began to get appalled at the direction of the reporting and noticed how suddenly all the politicians, including the president, movies stars (who also has an agenda) the music industry, and anyone else with some kind of a voice, started talking "gun control" and how we "must stop this from happening again." Bad news. It will happen again. Maybe not in a school but evil is all around us and the more the media sensationalizes it, the more those seeking their 15 minutes of fame, will soon follow suit. That is all Satan has to offer. A repeat. He knows his time is running out. He also knows children captures every one of our hearts.....he goes for the weak. It's the nature of the beast. Everyone is up in arms over guns but what about the many more horrendous crimes against our children that deserve the same disgust? Take for instance the rape, molestation, kidnapping, torture and abuse that ALSO result in death, many more than random acts like this most recent event.There are MANY more children affected by those crimes on a daily basis but sadly, those voices aren't heard as loudly. The bible says in Psalm 34:18,  "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." My prayer is for each and every soul that is hurting and brokenhearted in this tragedy to seek the face of the Lord and let Him comfort them! There is a haunting reminder of the blood that is shed that has a voice in Genesis 4:10-11, "(v10) The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. (v11) Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand." The blood of each of those innocent children and the adults who tried to save them will be heard by our God! They will not be forgotten.

But the focus needs to be on the loss. The grieving. The brave souls who tried to cover those children and save them from an evil man. The "news" should surround how to help the grieving and to comfort the children who have to return to that school with haunting images in their little heads. The unimaginable pain that took place that day can never be grasped by any of us who are still trying to understand this terrible act of evil. The sensationalizing of evil has gone too far. It's taken flight because it sells. But the real news gets lost in the hunger for spectacular articles. The truth is, millions of parents went home and hugged their children a little tighter that night, holding them a little longer. The real news was in the prayers of the righteous for the lost and the grieving. The news reporters always stop shy of going "too far" with the real news because they fear it won't sell. As the media continues to selectively choose it's reporting of evil events, it will continue to sensationalize evil at its core. I remember the photo that was published shortly after the incident took place and it was hauntingly familiar. The same wide-eyed empty look that was splashed all around with James Holmes, the Colorado theater gunman. It was an eerie reminder of how the media plays each scene out....for the sale of an article. The way to beat evil is to not give it the center of attention. It's to use the blood of Jesus Christ and His living Word. He said in James 2:19, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" Yes even demons believe and they tremble at the mention of His magnificent name. Jesus is mightier than any demon, than legions of demons and Satan has already been defeated!
May each of the lost find comfort in the arms of an angel.....
In these days we are living in, may God have mercy upon all of us! And may God bless you and keep you!

 
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