This is not as eloquent, and thought out as I try to be, but, this is what’s on my heart right now. And I often say nothing. But, I’m tired of saying nothing. I’m tired of staying quiet for fear of offending someone. Three shooting sprees, in less than 24 hours, and my heart is broken. And I’m tired. I’m tired of the hate, which, by the way, politicians and people on all sides (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, whatever else you can think of) have been busy spewing for a long time. I’m tired of, and disturbed by, how easily people (again, on all sides) who call themselves Christians, and are supposed to be following Christ, have allowed their politics to drive their faith, and they so willingly twist, and manipulate, scriptures to fit their personal political views. And they continue to feed the hate.

These evil people who decide to murder others are going to do so no matter what, but the hateful rhetoric, gives them something to latch onto in a desperate attempt to justify their own evil actions. And everytime, we start the political finger pointing again.

Look, It’s not a gun problem. It’s not an immigration problem. It’s not an abortion problem. It’s not a gay problem. It’s not a skin color problem. It’s not an old people, or a young people problem. It’s not a constitutional problem. It is a SIN problem. It is a HATE problem. And evil people will use whatever excuse they can find, or make up, to promote hate. So please, unless, and until, your ready to calmly discuss, and work through the real issues, and work to be part of the solution, sit down, shut up, and quite frankly, keep your twisted Bible verses, and twisted constitutional rights to yourself.

Look, I wholly support our constitutional rights. But along with those rights comes responsibilities. Yes, we all have the right to free speech. However, no one has the right to incite panic or violence with their speech. Yes, you have the right to protect yourself, and even to carry. But in exercising that right you have a duty to do so responsibly, with proper training, and in such a way as to not cause concern. In other words, you don’t need to carry in such a way as to draw attention to yourself. Please understand, when you draw attention to yourself, or your weapon, especially in light of recent events, you are making yourself appear to be a threat.

So, please, exercise your rights. But do so responsibly. Share your opinions and views. But do so respectfully. And STOP THE HATE. And for those of us who claim to follow Christ, please stop letting politics dictate your faith. And everyone, for crying out loud, lets all pull our heads out of that deep dark tunnel, and quit letting the news media (regardless of the source) and politicians dictate how we behave, view others, and treat each other. Let’s start exercising our rights to actually do the right thing.