Recently, seven people were killed and as many as 26 others were either wounded or otherwise injured in a shooting in Leland, Mississippi. It happened at a downtown event that was taking place during the Leland High School homecoming weekend. So far, nine people have been arrested and several others remain at large.
As of this writing, a definitive reason for the shooting has not been released other than it was the result of some kind of disagreement. Since so many have been arrested, it makes me wonder if it was not gang related. Several of the suspects are being charged with first degree murder.
Of course, many people expressed horror and condolences over the incident. But there was one other predictable response. Democrat Sen. Derrick Simmons, who represents that region of the state, gave a statement to The Associated Press. He said, “It’s just senseless gun violence. What we are experiencing now is just a proliferation of guns just being in circulation.”
Of course, it was senseless gun violence, but the problem is not a matter of “just a proliferation of guns just being in circulation.” There is something else at play.
You need to understand at this point that this article is not about the Second Amendment, nor is it a treatise about whether or not people should be able to own guns. Rather it is about the real root of the problem.
The real problem that caused this, and many other similar incidents, is the evil in people’s hearts that is being expressed in violence. If this kind of thing was only happening with guns, perhaps an argument could be made that guns are the problem. But mass murders are being committed with knives, cars, bombs, hammers, and just about anything else that is capable of causing harm to people. This is not a weapon problem, it is a heart problem.
The root of it all is a set of worldview beliefs that give these people permission to act that way. To really get at this, it is helpful to have a clear understanding about exactly what a worldview belief is. Worldview beliefs are the assumptions people make about the nature of reality – that is, beliefs that determine for them what is real vs. what is fantasy.
So how does this play out in real life that permits people to just go around gunning other people down? Suppose a gang member believes, from the heart, that the most important value in life is to protect their gang. In that case, if the gang is being threatened (whether by violence, insults, financially, or whatever), they believe it is permissible to do anything necessary to protect the gang. If that is the highest value, then killing the ones doing the threatening becomes permissible. In that case, the value of human life, the laws of the land, the effect on society, nor any other factor matters.
This same principle applies in every other area of life. A person’s worldview beliefs determine what is of highest value to them, and is the determining factor in guiding their actions in life. In modern society we see this playing out in many horrible ways.
- People are shooting at ICE agents, throwing objects at them, and ramming their cars because they believe allowing illegal immigrants to remain in America, regardless of the law, is right.
- People are trafficking drugs and other people because they believe making money is the highest value.
- People are participating in recreational drug use because they believe the enjoyment of getting high is the best thing for them.
- People think nothing of all kinds of sexual relations outside of marriage because they believe their personal values are above biblical values.
- People lie, cheat, and steal in business and politics because they believe the highest value in life is money and power.
- And the list could go on forever.
John Adams once said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” There is a reason that is true. It is true because the U.S. Constitution is built upon the worldview belief that the law of the land is the highest societal authority, and that people should obey it above all. Anyone who doesn’t believe that will follow other beliefs and values above it. That results in the actions described above.
The structure of the U.S. democratic republic is founded upon worldview beliefs that are based on biblical values. Thus, people who are not committed to biblical values are not particularly inclined to follow the law. On the other hand, the people most likely to be committed to those values are people who know a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The problem in society is not the gun. It is the people who are not committed to the rule of law based on their personal relationship with Christ. Until that becomes the case, things will only get worse.
Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.
You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.
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