So much has been said – by journalists, the President, talk
show hosts, on social media – about the tragic events of Sunday morning at 2am at the Pulse in Orlando
that I hardly think my lack of expertise, my limited vision, has much more to
add.
I just wish to briefly address this event, and the event,
also in Orlando, of only a few
hours earlier, for anyone who may care at all.
At 10:24pm Friday
night, police responded to reports of shots fired at the Plaza Live Theater in Orlando.
Singer and 2014 contestant of “The Voice” Christina Grimmie was shot after her
show, while signing autographs, and did not survive the attacks.
Her brother Marcus tackled the shooter, who may have been
planning on killing more but subsequently shot himself.
There have been reports that Christina was targeted
specifically for her outspoken Christian beliefs.
This past weekend, there were two well-publicized shootings
that were instigated by hate for a person’s belief and way of life.
I am a Christian. I know that is not a popular thing to be
these days. I consider myself to be a conservative Christian, and I know that
that is even less popular.
But regardless of my views on what is right and wrong, I
think that every person has certain Constitutional, First Amendment guarantees
(these reflecting basic, spiritual, human rights that should be available to everyone)
that allows them to marry, vote, speak, think, etc. however they see fit and
right.
This supersedes policy. This is the First Amendment. And
there is no constitutional privilege anywhere that gives any person another
right to infringe upon the life, liberty, and happiness of someone else –
namely, killing them.
I have a couple friends, a married couple, who run a
nonprofit to benefit the cause of the refugees here in East Idaho
where I go to school. They received a message recently decrying what they do,
which is fine, people can think what they want.
The sender concluded the message with the expressed hope
that when the refugees arrive, that they kill my friends.
In light of all this, I repeat what my wife often says: “Why
do people have to be so mean?”
Why do people have to be so mean?
Let Christina Grimmie be Christian. That’s easy for me to
say, as I am one as well.
Let the patrons of the gay club Pulse be there, let them
live their life. I am not gay, and have certain spiritual beliefs on the whole
practice, but LET THEM BE.
As long as my rights are not infringed upon to make allowances
for others, I will always support everyone’s right to do as they will.
But NO ONE has a right to
bully, intimidate, hurt, or kill in the name of their viewpoint.
Permit me to wax Christian for a moment.
Christ walked, taught, healed, and lived among those who
held different beliefs than Him. For those of us who believe in the divinity of
Christ, that is extraordinary, and yet makes total sense at the same time.
Despite the view many have on the Christian faith, true
Christianity exudes acceptance, forgiveness, love, and kindness. Those were the
very traits that made Christ who He was. Anyone who thinks Christianity is anything
else is sadly misguided. Any Christian who does otherwise, in that moment
ceases to be a follower of Christ.
So you can disagree with me for being a Christian, that is
fine. I disagree with most people that I meet on some point or another. But I
have grown to love so many people in my blessed life.
I am not one to follow trends so much, but I will join with
the masses who #PrayForOrlando and #PrayForHumanity, and all that.
I really do want everyone to live in harmony.
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