A Shift in Tactics

I have been contemplating the arming of school personnel, as one of the local elementary schools in the West Plains area has recently done. Aside from whether or not it "works" as a deterrent or possibly as a way to stop someone intent on doing violence from inflicting widespread harm, I've been considering the effect it has on the children at the school. As usual, the adults are having their say and making the decisions which impact kids, but what does a decision like this do to young people in the long-term? What lessons are we teaching them?

Again, my opinions in this blog are religious in nature, not political. Let's put aside arguments about rights for a moment and think about what is right. The teachings of Jesus are clear in that we are not to try to attempt to overcome evil with more evil. I know many will say guns are not inherently evil, and I know the intent of school administrators is to do good, rather than evil. But as followers of Christ what lessons do we see being taught to children? Are we teaching fear as a daily way of life? Are we giving the not-so-subtle message that guns are the solution to society's ills? Are we injecting yet more paranoia into the minds of the young? What kind of citizens are we spawning for the future?

I know what my answers are to these questions even though many would not agree. I also know there are alternatives. Check out the following link, which shows how a shift in focus from negative to positive can cause a huge change in a situation.

http://dailynightly.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/18005192-principal-fires-security-guards-to-hire-art-teachers-and-transforms-elementary-school

If we lose our ability to appreciate and nurture that which is beautiful and creative, rather than what is frightening and destructive, what is the point of saving our way of life? To quote a line from a favorite movie of mine, "A life lived in fear, is a life half-lived."