I have been wanting to write this to address the issue of anger in our society today for some time. After the horrible assassination of Charlie Kirk, I feel compelled to speak up. In our society today we have a group of people who seem to think that no one has the right to disagree with them. Furthermore, they seem to think that those who disagree with their view is their enemy. I believe this thought process is driven largely by the proliferation of social media platforms where people can anonymously attack others without having to own responsibility for their actions. This includes not only internet but podcasts and other forms of social media. Also, so many seem to come from a background of too much. Not having to struggle during your formative years sometimes allows you to be distracted by false truths and misleading narratives. We also have people carrying their beliefs from other cultures to our country. If people want to be legal citizens of our country they can proceed with legal citizenship which requires loyalty to this country. Before you attack me on this point, understand I have no problem with people maintaining their heritage after they become legal citizens as long as they do not seek to undermine our democratic form of government. After these people have decided that those who disagree are enemies this allows them to justify criticizing others. This includes insulting others, spreading gossip about them or attacking them with false truths. Now, in our lives I feel we must seek to do critical analysis of what we seek to follow. This includes our choices of faith, politics, ideologies and social beliefs. We must do this rationally to decide if we want to be associated with these agendas. The problem is it proceeds from here as they then feel that they are justified to condemn others. This includes character assassination and name calling. This is a trap we should never allow ourselves to fall into especially if we declare that we are followers of Jesus Christ. Then comes the final stage of anger and rage. Which is judgment. If you have reached this point, you then feel you have the right to attack your enemy by doing whatever you seek to do. This unfortunately has turned to violence. We can NEVER allow this to be considered normal. Make no mistake, darkness is trying to overcome our country. Stand in the light and do what you have to do even if it means paying the ultimate price, In the final analysis I would encourage this - love your God, love your family, love your country, and whenever possible love your fellow man. Stand strong against anger!

Allan Ray Ridgeway