Despite overwhelming evidence that the proliferation of weapons of mass murder in the United States is directly responsible for the horrific number of mass shootings in this country, Republicans in Congress are suggesting that what we really need to combat the problem is a “revival” among Christians.
Yeah, because all those “thoughts and prayers” are doing such a great job, huh?
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) was asked about the latest school shooting on Monday that left three children and three adults dead, but he made clear that restrictions such as a ban on assault weapons wouldn’t do any good. Only God can solve the problem, according to Burchett.
A reporter asked Burchett, “Do you think there’s any role for Congress to play in reaction to this tragedy? Obviously this is your state now but it’s happened in every state.”
The congressman replied:
“It doesn’t matter what state it’s happened in. We’re all Americans. Doesn’t matter the color of their skin, they all bleed red, they’re bleeding a lot. I don’t see any real role we could do other than mess things up, honestly, because of the situation. Like I said, I don’t think a criminal’s gonna stop from guns. you can print them out on the computer, 3D now. I don’t think you’re going to stop the gun violence. You’ve got to change people’s hearts. As a Christian, as we talk about in church, I’ve said this many times we need a revival in this country.”
Yeah, great. But what if you happen to be Jewish? Or Muslim? Or even an atheist? How is all that “revival” going to help your kids stay safe when they go to school?
Oh, and one other thing: Burchett clearly doesn’t believe in the power of prayer and revival, because guess where his kids go to school? They’re homeschooled, as he made sure and mentioned.
“Well, we homeschool her, but you know, that’s our decision. Some people don’t have that option and frankly, some people don’t need to do it. I mean, they don’t have to. It just suited our needs much better.”
Actually, most people don’t have that option. Most working couples have to go to jobs from 9 to 5 every day and can’t be home to school their children. Instead, they have to worry all day that they’ll get the phone call every parent fears most: Your child was gunned down in the latest mass shooting.
What we need more than a Christian revival is a revival of common sense and doing what’s best for everyone, not just for the gun lobby and the Republican Party that gorges on their campaign contributions.
