I believe that “thoughts and prayers” have been given a fair trial as a solution to our growing problem of massacres. If there is a causal relationship between thoughts and prayers and mass shootings, one would have to conclude, if anything, that thoughts and prayers are exacerbating the shootings. Even thoughts and prayers in combination with other common rituals such as linking arms, candlelight vigils, placing flowers and teddy bears at the site, marches, etc. are simply not having the desired effect of reducing gun violence.
Perhaps some essential facet of the solution is missing.
While I would certainly not discourage continuing the above practices, I would hope we might at least try some different approaches to the problem. I am certain that banning assault weapons would be far more than could be accomplished politically, but could an attempt be made to require state licenses for gun dealers and effective universal background checks? Don’t we bear some responsibility for mitigating what is becoming a common practice?
It is not easy, I grant, to discern what is absolutely in the hands of God and what God requires that we collaborate on. But I am beginning to suspect that some responsibility might be ours and we should try thoughts and prayers, etc. in combination with legislation.
Sandra Shimon
Oak Park