Charlotte Bacon
Daniel Barden
Olivia Engel
Josephine Gay
Dylan Hockley
Madeleine Hsu
Catherine Hubbard
Chase Kowalski
Jesse Lewis
Ana Marquez-Greene
James Mattioli
Grace McDonnell
Emilie Parker
Jack Pinto
Noah Pozner
Caroline Previdi
Jessica Rekos
Avielle Richman
Benjamin Wheeler
Allison Wyatt
Rachel D'Avino
Dawn Hochsprung
Anne Marie Murphy
Lauren Rousseau
Mary Sherlach
Victoria Leigh Soto
Nancy Lanza also was killed, the perpetrator’s mother
And Adam Lanza took his own life after taking the life of so many others.
My heart goes out to the friends and family of those affected by this senseless violence, and they continue to be in my prayers.
Though I know that our God comforts those who mourn, my faith is more than simple platitudes and condolences. My faith calls me to join with God in building our Lord’s Kingdom and to work for the day where there will be peace—true Shalom on this earth.
Our nation, our world believes in Redemptive Violence—that violence is the way to solve our problems. Redemptive Violence surfaces in overt forms like gun violence, but also in other ways … from reality TV shows to political banter to insensitive Facebook posts. And Redemptive Violence feeds into a me-first attitude and sense of entitlement.
This stands over and against so many Biblical and Christian principles, I’m not sure where to begin!
Our savior, instead of riding into Jerusalem on a white horse, chose to ride a beast of burden. There were many who wanted him to take up arms against their Roman oppressors. Even the title “Messiah” had always been used in the Hebrew Testament to denote a military leader, often leading an insurrection against those who had been oppressing the Hebrews. But Jesus is the prince of peace, and choose the path of sacrificial love. And he taught us to do the same.
When Jesus was arrested, taken to his eventual crucifixion, his disciples fought to keep their Lord. And when a follower drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave, Jesus said these words, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)
And now the booster club of the Georgetown Eagles Football team is raffling 52 guns!
Is anyone else outraged by this?
Disclaimer: I AM NOT OUT TO TAKE YOUR GUNS!!!
I just recognize we live in a community, and guns and kids don’t mix!
Letting an organization connected with our schools raffle guns sends a horrible message, for it perpetuates this belief in Redemptive Violence.
Here are some things you can do.
Contact the school board, individually and collectively. Contact Superintendent Joe Dan Lee. Attend the GISD school board meeting on Monday, June 17, 2013 at 6pm at GISD Administration Building Boardroom at 603 Lakeway Drive.
I’ve tried to make it easy to send an email to our school board trustees. Feel free to cut and paste the letter below. And I made a link so that it is easier to email the board.
Click here to email GISD Superintendent Joe Dan Lee
Click here to email the Eagle Football Booster Club
Click here to visit the Eagle Football Booster Facebook page and leave a comment
A sample letter:
Dear School Board Trustee:
I am writing to express my outrage and disapproval of the Eagles Football Booster Club’s plan to raffle guns.
Regardless of your view on firearms and gun ownership, associating guns with children and youth sends a bad message.
I understand that many folks who own guns are avid hunters and enjoy the sportsmanship. Some may be collectors or have a gun for self-defense. And others may simply want to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms.
But guns are also associated with violence, and the belief that violence is the way to solve problems.
On December 14, 2012, 6 months ago, Adam Lanza killed 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.
And we are still grieving the loss of life and the senseless violence of this horrible event.
Even if you see no connection between Sandy Hook and the raffle of guns, many do, and I ask that you consider the feelings of the parents, children, and youth who are still struggling with the proliferation of guns.
Finally, gun views aside, you must also consider the liability issues if one of these guns is used in a crime.
As a member of the GISD School Board, you have the power to stop this. I urge you to restrict any booster club or group associated with GISD from raffling or selling guns or firearms.
Sincerely,
I pray and work for the day when Isaiah’s vision will come to pass:
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. -Isaiah 2:4
Ron Trimmer is pastor of Hope United, a new church in Georgetown, Texas. Click here to visit Hope United's website.
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