Courtesy of the General Board of Church and Society
Gun Violence T-shirts
A traveling exhibit of T-shirts June 16-23 outside the United Methodist Building near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., commemorated the 58 victims of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando and Mother Emanuel AME Church shootings. The display is part of a partnership between Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence and Heeding God's Call, two faith-based movements to end gun violence. A companion press conference was called off because of the shooting of Republicans at a baseball field in Virginia June 16.
Some (disorganized) thoughts today.
1. I ugly cried when I dropped my daughter at school today and she said “I love you,” before bouncing away to a practice room.
2. Our school shooting epidemic/crisis is not normal. We are the ONLY country where this happens regularly.
3. Yes, it’s about mental health.
4. Yes, it’s about access to guns.
5. Yes, the NRA is the reason that Congress won’t do anything about it.
6. Civilians don’t need assault rifles. Neither do they need nuclear weapons.
7. Gun control doesn’t mean that anyone is taking away your guns. But it could mean that you need a license, professional training, liability insurance, annual inspections, periodic renewals. You know, like owning a car. Or buying fertilizer.
8. Conversations can be civil. They can be heated. They can be passionate. I watched two women (each of whom I adore) demonstrate this today. They came away from the conversation without changing each other’s mind. But they talked. The reason is because they are strong, intelligent, and articulate, and neither has been bought and paid for by the NRA. We can’t get anyone in Congress to talk.
9. Would you give up your assault weapon(s) if it would save the life of one human being? Is your ability to have a weapon more important than one life?
10. I saw a tweet today from a Beirut journalist who said, “Sure it’s crazy here. But I don’t have to worry about my kid being safe at school. America is crazy.” Beirut, people.
11. No system is perfect. But whatever we’re doing is wrong.
12. My playlist for today: Gorecki, Pärt, Satie, Chopin, Hildegard, Beethoven, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sinead O’Connor, Bob Dylan, Judy Garland.
13. I really do believe that the 2nd Amendment needs to be repealed. Then let’s start over and write gun-ownership laws that are relevant for our time.
#Lent #parklandshooting #kyrieeleison
Church musician and conductor Lewis Worthington describes himself as "a dad and a United Methodist." This post is republished with permission from his Facebook page.