By now everyone has read all of the horrific details of gunman Jared Lee Loughner’s shooting spree at a Tucson town meeting, where he killed six people and wounded fourteen, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. While the criminal investigation continues, my hope is that we all take some time to think about what kind of country we want to live in and what our obligations are to each other. While no one besides Loughner is legally responsible for his violent behavior, we are all responsible to the God who created us for the words we say, the actions we take, and the effect we have on the lives of others. Very few people are so evil that they would intentionally incite violence. More often cruel or irresponsible rhetoric results from plain and simple self-centeredness. In our sensationalistic culture, gaining personal power, money, and notoriety only requires the willingness to spew offensive language for maximum effect, and the shamelessness to absolve oneself of the potential consequences.
Our society, by and large, rewards the provocateur. Some musicians make millions spouting lyrics that denigrate women and their own communities. They are applauded for their marketing acumen, especially if in their personal lives they are law abiding, married with children, and safely ensconced in gated communities. Nevermind the thousands of kids outside those gates who take their words as gospel. These artists will never know on this side of heaven how many acts of violence and incarcerations their words inspired. Politicians demonize their opponents to make sure their side opens their wallets and gets to the polls. Media personalities encourage racial animosity and fear to gain market share and sell advertising, causing even their critics to express grudging admiration for their ability to steer the public debate and build their brand. Off the air or away from the cameras they may be decent human beings, not carrying with them the anger and hatred they inflame in the hearts of others. But they cannot ultimately escape accountability for their self-serving manipulation of the trusting, the vulnerable, the deranged.
Perhaps as a society we tolerate this behavior because most of us see through the smoke and mirrors. Most of us realize they don’t really mean it, that it’s all for show. But God, if we choose to care what he thinks of us, holds us to a higher standard. People who purposely harm others are clearly in the wrong, but so are those who use their words to advance their own interests and further their own ambitions without concern for the welfare of those listeners who actually believe what they have to say.
