Riots

People are odd.  There are places in this country where, when something horrible (as they define “horrible”) happens, riots break out.  In those same places, when something wonderful (as they define “wonderful”) happens, riots break out.  I’m starting to wonder if maybe there are people in this world who just like to set fires, break stuff and steal things.

But that can’t be.  It would mean people, at least some of them, are not defined by their experiences.  They make choices in the short term that are objectionable on their surface simply because those people do not have a moral core that persuades them to act differently.

Kind of like the Bible has said all along.

When we read the list of depraved acts in Romans 1:28-32, we also read that sinners engaged in those acts specifically because “they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer.”  It’s no shock when you think about it.  Ignore God, and you separate sin from its eternal consequences.  All you’re left with is, “If it feels good, do it.  If it hurts, stop.”

I’m not saying all atheists are rioters or that all rioters are atheists.  I’m saying there is seed and fruit.  When people de-emphasize the authority, universality and importance of God, they break His commandments more frequently.  And whether the modern sociologists want to acknowledge it or not, the fact is that the Bible and its adherents maintained basic moral standards in Western society for the better part of two millennia. Stealing was condemned and punished.  So was assault, slander, rape and murder.  Governments and individuals did not always get the application right, nor should we expect them to.  But at least they tried.

Yes, Christians protest when we don’t get our way.  But when we do, we don’t hit.  We don’t steal.  We leave the place cleaner than it was when we arrived.  There’s a reason for that.