Second, take an active stand against violence, and role models of violence, in their lives.
Images do teach. Indeed, imagery teaches faster, and imprints deeper, than words.
Insist that those in charge of retelling your cultural story (moviemakers, TV producers, video
game manufacturers, and other purveyors of imagery, from comic books to trading cards)
create a new cultural story, with a new ethic— an ethic of non-violence.
Third, do what it takes to make sure that instruments of violence and tools of violence are
unavailable to your children and your teenagers. Prevent easy access and effortless
acquisition.
Most important, eliminate violence from your life. You are the greatest model for your
children. If they see you using violence, they will use violence.
Does that mean we shouldn’t spank our children?
Can you think of no other way to teach those that you say you deeply love? Is startling them,
scaring them, or hurting them the only way you can think of to instruct them?
Yours is a culture that has long used physical pain as a punishment for unwanted behavior
not only in children, but in adults. You actually kill people to get people to stop killing people.
It is insanity to use the energy that created a problem to seek to solve the problem.
It is insanity to repeat the behaviors you want to stop in order to stop them.
It is insanity to model behaviors all over your society that you say you do not want your
offspring to copy.
And the highest insanity is pretending that none of this is happening, then wondering why
your children are acting insane.
Are You saying we are all insane?
I am defining insanity. It is up to you to decide who and what you are. You are deciding that
every day.
Every act is an act of self-definition.
You’ve been using some pretty tough words here.
That’s what friends are for. You want to know what it’s like having a friendship with God? This
is what it’s like.
Friends tell you the truth. Friends say it like it is. Friends don’t pander to you, or tell you only
what they think you want to hear.
Yet friends don’t tell you what is so and then leave you to deal with it. Friends are always
there for you, offering constant support, a helping presence, and unconditional love.