Roseburg shooting shakes the nation
In the early hours of Oct. 1, an armored shooter by the name of Chris Harper Mercer stepped within the campus boundaries of Umpqua Community College in Roseburg Oregon. Mercer, an enrolled student at the college, opened fire in multiple classrooms. Allegedly, the shooter lined students along the walls, approached each victim individually and asked them whether they were Christian or not.
Those who answered “No” were shot in the leg. Those who admitted their faith were shot point blank in the head. A total of ten people including a teacher and the shooter himself were killed in the incident. Seven received critical injuries.
Though equal in tragedy, this particular incident stands apart from recent ones across the nation. The difference rests in the motive of the killer. The Roseburg shootings appear to depend not upon the random murders of a disturbed young man but on the purposeful targeting of those of the Christian faith.
The Washington Post reports evidence of such anti- Christian sentiments in Mercer’s social media activities.
“Witnesses also said he seemed to seek specific revenge against Christians, and police examined web posts that hinted of wider antipathy toward organized faith.”
The debate rages about prejudice and anti-Christianity in America and whether the political response to Roseburg (One that spoke out against gun control rather than the shooter’s motive) sufficed as appropriate. However in the wake of this tragedy, Christians across the country have begun to ask a question, a question beyond formalities and falsities, a question of faith. “Would I have done the same?”
Here realism and spiritualism butt heads. As a Christian within the blanket safety of America’s religious freedom, the Roseburg incident seemed surreal. Part of me never believed the TV reporter who I first heard reiterate Mercer’s pivotal question. “Are you a Christian?”
Every ounce of human nature, every logical whim vies for a negative response. Perhaps, this coincides with the weakness and fear of humanity. Yet these eight individuals stood as those in Biblical times. For them the stories told in God’s Word became reality, the call to stand firm, a 21st century command. In truth, the victims of Roseburg were not victims at all. They were martyrs. –Skyler Lee
The “spiritual zealot” within wanted to look straight into that mans eyes and say “Yes”. However after a second of contemplation mixed in with a dose of realism, I considered the incident from another perspective.
What if such a man with such intent arrived (God forbid) on our own little corner of the world? What would I do then with that cold metal barrel pressed to my head? In one word my life could be over. I would never get to graduate high school or walk down the aisle. I would never be able to say goodbye to my parents or leave any final farewells, in a second, all over.
Then the dark spiritual doubts and fear began to creep in. What if there really is nothing on the other side? What if my whole life has been a lie and in that second I would be the biggest fool of all?
The doubt soon subsided a bit and I remembered the assurance of my faith. However, the promise of life on earth honestly still sounded better.
“Why couldn’t you just lie for a second? It’s only a small lie after all and God will forgive you,” someone asked me later that night.
The thought process seemed logical. However a single verse came to mind, one which never carried so much weight personally as in application to this incident.
“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” –Mathew 10:33
Every ounce of human nature, every logical whim vies for a negative response. Perhaps, this coincides with the weakness and fear of humanity. Yet these eight individuals stood as those in Biblical times. For them the stories told in God’s Word became reality, the call to stand firm, a 21st century command. In truth, the victims of Roseburg were not victims at all. They were martyrs.
Through this horrific tragedy God brought about eight beautiful examples of faith. From the ashes he constructed a nation concerned (if only briefly) about religious rights. These students made Christianity real and alive in America, more than youth group on Wednesdays or a cross shaped bumper sticker. They demonstrated faith, faith at its bare roots.
Perhaps, one would be justified in fighting back against the shooter (I certainly would). However by biblical standards, a believer should never deny the person of Christ even if life depends upon it.
The Rosenberg tragedy serves not only as a beacon of Christ’s power but as a challenge to the Christian community, a challenge to live out a zealous faith in 21st century America.
This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerSKL and via email: Skyler Lee.
Zoe House • Oct 11, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Interesting article, Skyler! Thank you for informing me about the Roseburg shooting.
On my way to visit several Oregon colleges in August, I ate dinner in the town of Roseburg. I was recently there, and now there’s been this tragic, horrific event. Because of this connection, it seems a bit unreal to me.
It’s really tricky to think about how I’d respond to “Are you a Christian?” I hope I’d say yes. I found “In truth, the victims of Roseburg were not victims at all. They were martyrs” to be quite interesting. Perhaps the victims were simultaneously victims and martyrs.
Great job, Skyler! 😀