Some people say that God is love. I would agree.

Right now we need more love in this world. Sadly the tragedy in Orlando has created a swirl of political debate about gun control, terrorism, radical Islamism, LGBT rights, and police response. Whereas I firmly believe in a ban on all assault weapons and I abhor terrorism and violence of all kinds, I believe we may be missing the point. The fact remains that 49 people were massacred and an additional 53 people were injured, some critically. How does so much hate; so much rage fill someone’s heart? And as a society are we partially to blame? Have we developed such a cavalier attitude in our nation toward gun violence that we can just accept the fact that these people were an unfortunate casualty? Surely not.

These are sons and daughters; brothers and sisters. These are children of God. Children of love.

It sickens me when I see and hear politicians posturing and pandering to the gun lobbyists. The Second Amendment, which was adopted Dec. 15, 1791, reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Our forefathers certainly didn’t expect the Second Amendment to allow for any citizen to possess an assault rifle. These are weapons designed with one purpose in mind: to kill. And please spare me the “guns don’t kill people; people kill people” crap. Because guns kill. AR-15 assault rifles kill.

So more love is needed. More understanding is required. More compassion is necessary. More love. Less hate.

I believe most disturbing is the idea expressed by some small-minded misanthrope that God is punishing the sinfulness of these victims. That by being gay; they were sinful. But God is love. And God didn’t create us to hate us. As a Christian I believe that the Holy Spirit embodies the love that God (the parent) and Jesus (the son) have for one another. As a parent myself, my heart is broken for the parents of these victims. I would remind them that their child was loved and loving. That their lives, although cut short, were a reflection of the love God has for each of us. My words can never fill the void in their hearts and souls left by the loss of their precious children. But I can love.

And more love is needed…

Peace,

Denis