Sunday morning June 12, 2016 around 2 A.M. America experienced another terrorist attack. Once again extremists have made our citizens a target. This tragedy was plotted and carried out by Islamic extremists, ISIS. News agencies, bloggers, podcasters, the religious and the politicians are all putting their spin on the events and sadly using them to advance personal, corporate and political party agendas. As a pastor I acknowledge the deeply rooted theological and doctrinal matters to study and evaluate and apply regarding this tragedy, but for the immediate day there are people grieving who need the comfort and compassion of God’s grace given by the testimony of His people. I am not suggesting we compromise the gospel, I am encouraging every Christian to pray that God’s grace and mercy will reach the hearts of those who are grieving.

Contrary to post-modern philosophy, extremism is not new to humanity. It has existed since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Extremism finds its evil justification by convoluted philosophy in many areas; some examples are racism, politics, religion and bigotry. The methods and instruments used to achieve their destructive ends are not limited by laws, availability or technology. The creativity of an evil heart and mind has no limitations, no conscience, and no conviction. Likewise, the hasty and ill-considered behavior of using the emotion of tragedy to enact laws, policy or any type of overreach which impairs the law abiding citizen from protecting themselves is an unforgivable victimization of one group in order to advance the agenda of a much smaller and divisive group.