From Patrick Hardyman

Blanchardville

To the Editor:

Since the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on December 16, I have been asking myself, what is it about life in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century that has created this monster? Easy access to guns can explain the rising number of deaths and injuries, but it is the “why” question that needs to be adequately addressed if we really want to reduce further bloodshed at our schools, workplaces, churches, homes, and our public streets. Some possible explanations follow.

We have seen since the early 1960’s the deterioration of the nuclear family and the escalation of violent and sexual content in all forms of media including television, movies, music, and video games. Social media is another culprit with threatening comments and bullying that takes place 24/7. Our culture (including governmental institutions) has “normalized” immoral and criminal behavior that has led to many amoral people who couldn’t care less about human life.

The sex abuse and other scandals found in trusted institutions and people has played a significant role in the decline of religious practice and the rise of the “nones”.

Our country has moved away from putting our trust in God and the idea of moral absolutes and instead have put our trust in cultural elites who have sold us a “bill of goods” that has wreaked havoc on the moral fabric of our country. Secularization with its libertine attitudes will destroy us.

All of the above along with easy access to guns has led to a plethora of deadly incidents.

I am writing this letter on Christmas Day when Christians throughout the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ who is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life (John 14,6). My prayer is that our citizens look to Him who is the Prince of Peace and help stem the violence and the mental health crisis that has greatly increased in our country.