Violence
Presumably, society will always be plagued by incidents of violence. Probably, most citizens of any country oppose evil, destructive acts against persons and property—especially when perpetrated against the innocent. Predictably, however, when such unjustified treatment of others becomes commonplace, many seem to build up an immunity towards the inhumanity, allowing themselves to be transported into the realm of indifference, tolerance, and, yes, even support.
This article does not seek to decry outbreaks of mass murder, which virtually all people condemn (school shootings, for example). Specifically, the topic is assassination, which has become more common (and acceptable to a certain segment of the population). Of course, four presidents have been assassinated, and attempts have been made on others. Lincoln was the first, followed by Garfield and McKinley (all Republicans). Those born before 1958 will recall the assassination of John F. Kennedy (Democrat) by a man, most people admit, who could justifiably be termed crazy. Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme made an attempt on Ford (Rep.), and Reagan (Rep.) was actually shot. No one sympathized with these actual and would-be assassins.
But in our current era, a man who never declared a motive shot (on January 8, 2011) Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (Democrat) in the parking lot of a Safeway store, where she was hosting an Open Air meeting called, “Congress on Your Corner.” Whether or not one agreed with her politics, such an action remains indefensible. We have a constitution and elections to change things we don’t like—we cannot afford to act like a banana republic. Did we, as a nation, learn nothing from the turbulent ’60s when John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King (all Democrats) were assassinated? Did the killers think anyone would rejoice in these losses? We did not; instead “we sang dirges in the dark the day the music died.”
Next, we come to June 14, 2017, where in Alexandria, Virginia, a man constantly critical of President Donald Trump began shooting at Republican congressmen who were practicing on a baseball field for an annual charity event (Democrats against Republicans, a social bipartisan effort). Steve Scalise would have bled out had it not been for a fellow Representative (Wenstrup) who hurriedly put a tourniquet on his leg. Once again, both sides condemned this assassination attempt.
The Last Five Years
On June 8, 2022, a man traveled all the way across the country (from California) in order to kill Supreme Court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh, because Roe v. Wade had been overturned. His plan was to break into the Justice’s home, kill him, and then commit suicide. He changed his mind while walking in front of Kavanaugh's house. He phoned the police, and they arrested him.
Yes, he does sound like an unstable person. But what if he had not changed his mind. A Supreme Court justice would have been assassinated. What is now called “the legacy news media” scarcely noticed the occurrence or the significance of it. The potential assassin has reminded each Justice of their own mortality. How might that affect future decisions? Hopefully, not at all. Whether the decisions of the Court are right or wrong—and there have been some horrendous ones (yes, even in our lifetimes)—the Justices must be free to resolve issues based on law—not intimidation.
The entire future of this nation might have been forever altered if the assassination attempt on candidate Donald J. Trump had succeeded on July 13, 2024. Had he not tilted his head slightly at that rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, we do not know who would have been president at this moment. Two months and ten days later, a Hawaiian man was discovered on Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida; he was also planning to kill the former President (September 23, 2024). What is different about this first attempt is that a Democratic staffer said that the would-be assassin in Butler should have had “shooting lessons.” That individual was dismissed.
Support for Assassins
Unfortunately, some assassins are getting support from the American public; this trend must be reversed, or it will lead to chaos. On December 4, 2024, Luigi Mangione killed in cold blood (and it is on videotape) Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare. He shot the father of two in the back. Mr. Thompson was guilty of no crime. This assassination was bad enough, but many Americans have actually come out in favor of Mangione’s action. We know that to be the case because they are carrying signs supporting him. At least one billboard contains the message: “Free Luigi Mangione” and “He’s a Hero.” If he’s a hero, Jack the Ripper should qualify for sainthood. To even suggest such a notion is an insult to any actual hero.
Allegedly, Mangione has a defense fund of about $400,000.00. A former reporter for the New York Times and the Washington Post is on videotape being interviewed. She referred to the murderer as “a morally good man.” No words of contempt could possibly be sufficient to describe such an inhuman being.
Equally mystifying is the fact that so many college students have come out in favor of the attack by Hamas upon many innocent, civilian Israelis on October 7, 2023. On this day, Hamas soldiers crossed the Gaza border into the territory of Israel. Although not officially at war, they murdered almost 1,200 people and kidnapped 200 more. It was the worst act of terrorism that Israel, as a nation, has experienced in modern times. Every nation in the world should be aghast and demand retribution. But such is not the case.
2025
Apparently, during the month of February, a 17-year-old Wisconsin male killed his mother and stepfather. Recently, it has been reported that this action was part of a larger plan to assassinate President Trump and overthrow the United States government. This seems to be a rather grandiose scheme for a teenager, but he will apparently be charged concerning the plot.
Meanwhile, a man in Butler, Pennsylvania was arrested recently for advocating that “we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed….” He bragged that he would personally kill Trump and accused ICE agents of being terrorists. He was arrested on April 9th for making all of these statements on YouTube, calling himself “Mr Satan”; the account was linked to his residence.
Finally, police arrested a suspect in Pennsylvania who set fire to the governor’s mansion—while the governor and his wife were sleeping there. This arson attack occurred as recently as April 13th. The governor, Josh Shapiro (Democrat), and his wife had just celebrated seder, part of the Passover week, a few hours earlier. It is thought that the attack was made on him because he is Jewish.
Concerning this assault, conservative Sean Hannity said, “There is no excuse for violence of any kind like this in the country.” Of course, he is right. Political and ethnic differences are never resolved by violence. Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a successful psychologist who practices in Manhattan, added: “Words are not violence, and therefore violence is not the answer to words we don’t like.” Sadly, many are turning to violence quickly rather than seeking out rational solutions to complex problems.
The Bible
Is the current atmosphere the worst that has ever been? No. Not even politically. On May 22, 1856 (just prior to the beginning of the Civil War), Representative Preston Brooks (Dem.) of South Carolina caned Senator Charles Sumner (Rep.) of Massachusetts on the Senate floor in an unprovoked attack. Not much happened to Brooks; Sumner nearly died.
But Americans cannot let violence and the threat of violence go unnoticed. Otherwise, we become immune to what is going on around us. What was the reason for the Flood God brought upon the earth? Sure: “…every intent of the thoughts of his [man’s, gws] heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). This verse explains a great deal and should be quoted often, but just six verses away lies additional information: “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Gen. 6:11).
Violence first appears here in the Scriptures; it is repeated in verse 13. It also means “wrong” and is used about 50 times in the Old Testament. The adjective violent appears an additional ten times.
So, where else can the word be found in the Old Testament? In Psalm 11:5, we read: “The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.” Certainly, God does not approve of those who resort to violence to solve their problems. Consider the things violence is associated with—in David’s prayer:
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it. Destruction is in its midst; oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets (Ps. 55:9-11).
Imagine what it would be like to live in such a place! Another evil companion shows up in Psalm 73: “Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment” (v. 6). Solomon has a few things to say on the subject in Proverbs: “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence” (4:17). Considering the boasts of would-be assassins previously mentioned, this verse is apropos: “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked” (10:11).
Jeremiah records a lengthy passage on this subject regarding the guilt of a king: “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice…. Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your own covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence” (Jer. 22:13, 17). What kind of legacy does this person leave? Ezekiel talks about those “who have filled the land with violence” (8:17).
One final text on violence laments the wickedness of Jerusalem: “Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; her priests have polluted the sanctuary; they have done violence to the law” (Zeph. 3:4). The implication is that violence in the land runs contrary to what God reveals in His Law. In other words, how can anyone justify committing violence against his fellow human beings, whether a politician, a CEO, a child in the womb, or someone from another race (remember the way that Germany treated the Jews, as in Kristallnacht, e.g.), or nationality?
The answer is that, since no justification for such behavior exists in the Scriptures, one must change the Scriptures to try to manufacture verses here and there to support violence. Since the Word of God does not authorize violence in the New Testament, one must do violence to the text—twist it (2 Peter 3:16) into saying something it assuredly does not promote.
The current trend in society to accept violence against the innocent in certain circumstances and even attempt to make heroes of those warped individuals should serve as a harbinger to us all of worse things yet to come. All who love the Lord must plead for a return to sanity, a return to sound reasoning, and a return to practicing the second greatest commandment (Matt. 22:39).