A few follow-up thoughts on the societal response to the Nashville shooting:

Re: The Solution To Gun Control

A few days removed from the Nashville shooting, the public discourse has distilled down to a debate on the best tool to prevent school shootings - gun restrictions or mental healthcare.

Here's an idea..why not both?

The general political discourse is a false dichotomy. This doesn't have to be a binary decision.

Yes, I personally think one goal is more appropriate and obtainable. But I'm not gonna be mad if resources are also distributed to mental health needs.

And if folks like me are wrong, progress will be made despite us.

If we all want the same outcome, why not bet on both (all) horses in the race?

Re: The Solution To Mental Health

When discussing how to prevent mass shootings, there is a lot of rhetoric that suggests mass-murdering psychopaths could be fixed. They just need more Jesus.

I would like to file a humble request: Stop.

This oversimplifies the solution and disrespects those who suffer from mental health issues.

While I whole-heartedly believe Jesus is the great healer, it is hard to overlook the fact that in many most cases He chooses not to heal. There is also a heavy undertone that Christians are better people. But those of us who have grown up in the church know better.

Additionally, as someone who struggles with anxiety, my worry is not an indication of my lack of faith. Time spent in church or in prayer doesn't increase my mental health anymore than it does my cardiovascular health. (In fact, I find time in prayer actually leads me to dwell on my worries, causing increased anxiety.)

Until the new heavens and new earth, we have a holy tension to manage.