Sunday morning Musings: It has been an amazing week personally and in the life of a community and a nation. In the town of Huntsville we honoured the lives of individuals who gave much to this community. We also honoured the lives of two soldiers killed by what is being called “radicalization”. Of course, the word “radicalization” is not new, but is certainly being used in a negative context to describe those who adopt a belief that ultimately creates feelings of fear and even terror in many. We spend time searching for the reasons why these people (mostly young men) would act this way. As Canadians we are even more surprised when we consider all the freedoms and benefits that we enjoy. What makes a person become violent? Other news stories this week have focused on another type of violence – domestic violence, or violence again women – consent given or not - it would still appear to be violence. Traditionally, the Christian faith reminds us that we are born sinners. Although, I tend to disagree with this theological doctrine, I am not so foolish as to believe that the potential for “bad” doesn’t exist in all of us. I would like to thing though that basically we are “good”. If then we can be radicalized to do harm, can we not be radicalized to do caring and compassionate acts as well. But it seems to me, we tend to overlook those radicalized by love. Yes, we honour them when they die, but it seems to me that we spend more time bickering about how to prevent bad things from happening and how much freedom is too much or not enough, that we forget to recognize the goodness of people when they are alive. But, of course, as we know – no news is good news – but bad news really gets our attention!
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:55:53 +0000