Except, of course, when the truth came out the
scene was not nearly as “intense” as the viral clip showed it to be. The fallout
that resulted, though, may truly be called intense. The Washington
Post reported that “death threats had shut down Covington Catholic
High School,” where the students involved attended. I have heard that
the Native American drummer also received death threats.[i]
The aftermath of this situation submits several settings
for self-examination.
We who are Christians should be “swift to hear”
and “slow to speak” as James advised.[ii] As
a society, we are slow to listen and swift to rush to judgment in matters of
which we know little or nothing.
The media needs to rethink whether their reporting contributes in some way to the public good. I believe in freedom of the press
unrestrained by government. A free press must exercise self-restraint. The
media cannot control what people do with what they report. However, reports
rushed into quickly without all the facts – that lead to threats on
lives – cannot be a good thing! Being right, reporting correctly, and doing good must outweigh being first.
The general population needs to exercise
self-restraint. Recognize that we also operate as “news media” through
Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and such like. We do not have to “share” everything we hear, especially when what we hear may be incorrect. Blame rests not only on the professionals!
We are slouching towards a chaotic and
disorderly society. A civilization easily irritated, perpetually offended, and
maliciously reacting is not civil! Will rudeness and savagery rule? Politics,
which has descended into blind rancor, often is implicated as the source. Not
likely. More likely, bureaucratic bile just feeds a deeper problem. Look
around. This is not just in matters of politics. Think sports. The referees made
an exceptionally bad call [iii] in
the NFC championship football game.[iv] Later
on that night, security moved the refs from their hotel to a different hotel
because they were being harassed. All over a game – a game we pay grown men to
play!
Houston – America – we have a problem.
And the problem is us![v]
[i] Though I haven’t seen a
specific news report on it, I don’t doubt it.
[ii] James
1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God.
[iii] Technically,
they failed to call a blatant rule
violation.
[iv] Between
the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints, January 20, 2019.
[v] Pogo: “We have met the
enemy and he is us.” God: This is a
rebellious people, lying children, children that
will not hear the law of the Lord” (Isaiah 30:9).
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