Aug 3rd, 2021: Foolish Talk
The Mayor of Seattle uttered "The Summer of Love" last June during an interview with Chris Cuomo. It was about what would happen to her city as the protesters took over a police precinct, and the authority tolerated a blockage of an area in Seattle. Since that outrageous announcement, Seattle has suffered from the cut of the city police budget (18%), the increased rate of crime, and many police officer resignations. Love is disappearing quickly, and the mayor is now seeking more money for the police.
Love won't happen without respect. Our freedom of free speech doesn't grant us the right to disobey the law. Indeed, police officers need to respect the law while going about their duty. There is no room for the abuse of power. Regular citizens also need to respect the law. It is interesting to see how people can sue police officers for damaging them, and yet police officers cannot in any way sue those who attack them.
Love won't be there because we condemn systemic racism. Racism is an expression of human brokenness. It is not the root cause. If there is one spiritually systemic struggle, it is our sin. It is the root of all human wrongful and hurtful actions in our relationships with one another. We will not be able to confront racism without acknowledging the reality of sin. We cannot admit sinful conditions without admitting the presence of God.
Taking advantage of an unjust death of a black man to further a political agenda is not really about love and justice. We don't fight against injustice by condoning some other forms of injustice. The violence from some protesters has taken away the message that many peaceful protesters would like to express. It creates an unnecessary distraction. The protesters have robbed many opportunities for meaningful conversations.
Roman 12: 2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
