Once again we are shocked by another tragic school shooting, this time in Ohio. The story continues to unfold. Tony Perkins, who heads up the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. commented on the shooting and reported that there have been as many as 25 such incidents across our nation since the beginning of the school year. You can read his article here.
Just yesterday, here in Maine, a man who was reported to be “under the influence” was arrested for making statements against Western Maine Christian Academy in Wilton.
I sometimes wonder if we are becoming too accustomed to violence in our society. Many people put tragic events like this most recent one out of their minds after some time and go on with their busy lives as if nothing happen. This is even true of the attack on 9/11.
It might surprise some to realize that since 1997 there have been no less than fourteen such tragedies like the one that recently occurred in Ohio.
Just this year, so far, there were three other incidents:
September 29: Fifteen-year-old Eric Hainstock brought two guns to a school in rural Cazenovia, Wisconsin and fatally shot the principal, a day after the principal gave him a disciplinary warning for having tobacco on school grounds. Michael Heath wrote about this on in his blog this week.
September 27: Duane Morrison, 53, took six girls hostage at Plate Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado. Morrison sexually assaulted them and used them as human shields for hours before fatally shooting one girl and then killing himself.
August 24: Christopher Williams, 27, went to an elementary school in Essex, Vermont, looking for his ex-girlfriend, a teacher. He couldn't find her and fatally shot one teacher and wounded another. Williams also killed his ex-girlfriend’s mother. He shot himself twice in the head after the rampage and was arrested.
That was just this year.
On March 21, 2005, a sixteen-year-old, Jeff Weise, shot and killed five schoolmates, a teacher and an unarmed guard at a high school on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota before taking his own lie. Weise had earlier killed his grandfather and his grandfather's companion.
On November 22, 2004, a sixteen-year-old, Desmond Keels, was accused of fatally shooting one student and wounding three others outside Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia. The attack apparently was over a $50 debt in a rap contest.
On April 24, 2003, a fourteen-year-old, James Sheets, shot and killed the principal in the crowded cafeteria of a junior high school in the South-Central Pennsylvania town of Red Lion, before killing himself.
On May 26, 2000, a thirteen-year-old Nathaniel Brazill, killed his English teacher on the last day of classes in Lake Worth, Florida, after the teacher refused to let him talk width two girls in his classroom. He was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving a 28-year sentence.
Then the event we will never forget; on April 20, 1999, students, Eric Harris, 18, and Dyland Klebold, 17, killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 23 before killing themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.
In 1998, there were three tragic events:
On May 21st, two teenagers were killed and more than 20 people hurt when a teenage boy opened fire at a high school in Springfield, Oregon, after killing his parents. Kip Kinkel, 17, was sentenced to nearly 112 years in prison.
On May 19th, three days before his graduation, an honor student opened fire at a high school in Fayetteville, Tennessee, killing a classmate who was dating his ex-girlfriend. Jacob Davis, 18, was sentenced to life in prison.
On March 24th, two boys, ages 11 and 13, fired on their Jonesboro, Arkansas middle school from nearby woods, killing four girls and a teacher wounding 10 others. Both boys were later convicted of murder and can be held until age 21. They will be released soon.
The in 1997 there were two tragic events:
On December 1st, three students were killed and five wounded at a high school in West Paducah, Kentucky. Michael Carneal, then 14, professed to be mentally ill, pleaded guilty, and is serving life in prison.
On October 1st, sixteen-year-old Luke Woodham of Pearl, Mississippi, fatally shot two students and wounded seven others after stabbing his mother to death. He was sentenced the following year to three consecutive life sentences.
Yes we are living in a mad, mad, mad, mad world. The church of Jesus Christ is the only source with the message of hope for today. There are enemy forces working against us. I was told that the cable television network MTV is on record as saying they own our teens. I hope they don't own them all, especially the ones under our care.
There is a serious problem in our society. We all agree that the answers to these problems are contained in God’s Holy Word. Perhaps at another time I will comment on how the conscience of a person could allow such barbaric acts. It is something to consider.
Tonight’s the night
Tonight is the Civic League's annual banquet at the Senator Inn, Augusta, at 5:30 PM.
Besides a wonderful meal and warm Christian fellowship, you will be inspired and challenged by a presentation by Pastor Sandy Williams of First Baptist Church of Freeport, "Is this a Christian nation?" Pastor Williams, you may recall, is the head of The Coalition For Marriage and will give us all plenty to think about. There are still a few seats available. Anyone can call the League office and make reservations as late as noon today. The phone number is (207) 622-7634, ext. 1.
Can you help the League?
I am asking individuals and churches to support the League. The League does the hard work of influencing lawmakers -- work that most people don’t have the stomach for. That work is extremely important. The State of Maine has seen the positive result of that Biblical witness. The League can’t do the job without adequate resources. Individuals can send regular offerings to the League and churches can support the League as a local mission with regular support.
Please feel free to contact me if your church is interested in getting more information about including the League in your missions budget. It would be extremely helpful at this time.
Voter Guide
I am excited to inform you that the League’s online voters guide is up and running now. The information listed is based on 15 questions that are important to believers. The rating is a result of the candidate’s reply to those questions and/or their voting record if they are an incumbent. It is easy to use and can be accessed by going to the League’s website. Once you are there, click on “Search for candidates” at the bottom of the page. They are listed by town in alphabetical order so the inquirer can easily locate their candidate. The information on that candidate can be printed for anyone interested. Some churches print out the information for the candidates that represent all the towns where their congregation lives.
