I sense universal despair from the unbelievable tragedy of the deaths of elementary school children, yet again. Part of the hopelessness is that these things have happened in the past and we fear they will continue to happen. That there will be no changes for better community safety. We feel personally responsible for these failures. And we are, aren’t we, if we do nothing?
Many disparage the idea of “thoughts and prayers” which admittedly is usually an empty sentiment. But as people of faith, we do believe in prayer, don’t we?
Amanda Gorman recently wrote “It takes a monster to kill children. But to watch monsters kill children again and again and do nothing isn’t just insanity – it’s inhumanity.”
Many Quakers look for hope in statements and suggestions for action from our national political lobbying organization, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).
The gun violence epidemic is both a public health crisis and a troubling reflection on our country’s spiritual state. As we seek policy solutions, we must also look critically at the culture that enables so many people to kill each other with guns.
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Information on the FCNL website today follows, including a link to send a message to your Congressional representatives to enact universal background checks.
When will it be enough?
The mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, TX is horrific and heartbreaking. We grieve for the children, the teachers, and the families. We grieve for America. And we will continue to demand that our lawmakers act to disrupt this cycle of violence and terror.
Tell Congress to Enact Universal Background Checks
Universal background checks legislation would save lives by implementing background checks for every firearm purchase or transfer. The House recently pass two such bills – the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 8) and Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 1446).
Urge your senators to support this common-sense measures and save lives!
Gun Violence Prevention Principles
Gun violence in the United States is so common that it rarely makes the news. As a nation, we have seemingly accepted that ordinary activities – going to a house of worship, a nightclub, a school – carry the risk of violent death.
But our current levels of gun violence are not inevitable. Policymakers’ failure to pass common sense, responsible legislation contributes to appalling rates of gun violence in the United States.
Lawmakers must take every available step to reduce harm and loss of life. Easy access to guns will continue to make it horrifyingly easy to escalate fear, hatred, and rage into slaughter.
We support efforts to reduce gun violence by limiting gun ownership, possession, and use. In particular, a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy will:
- Address the many forms of gun violence, including mass shootings, accidental shootings, police shootings, domestic and intimate partner violence, and suicide, through context-sensitive approaches
- Advance evidence-based gun violence prevention
- Preserve civil liberties and anti-discrimination protections
- Prioritize systemic changes over individual punishment
- Limit access to equipment that makes mass shootings deadlier
- Implement safety checks for all gun buyers
- Promote and strengthen community engagement by implementing community-based violence intervention and prevention programs
The gun violence epidemic is both a public health crisis and a troubling reflection on our country’s spiritual state. As we seek policy solutions, we must also look critically at the culture that enables so many people to kill each other with guns. As Quakers, we believe that there is that of God in every person and that all creation has worth and dignity. We call on Congress to act immediately to protect each sacred life.
Gun Violence Prevention Principles
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
“The Light That Never Fails”
(from “Meru” soundtrack)
When the cold bites your bones
And gets in your heart
It can make you feel hopeless
And fear will come to steal your sun and make it dark
But don’t believe you’re lonely
We’ve all had that moment when our shoulders sink
And we sit back and think
We could just run
But we’re not born to chase the fading light
We’re not born to fall and lose the fight
Never letting go
Oh no oh
I’m askin’ you to lift me, lift me higher than I ever been
Hold your breath and say you’re gonna come with me
We were born to follow
The light that never fails
You’re scared to fight
You’re scared to climb
Afraid to die
But I can be your courage
And help you see you’ve already won this
We all have that moment when our head hangs low
We question if we should go
Or turn back and run
But we’re not born to chase the fading light
We’re not born to fall and lose the fight
Never letting go
Oh no oh
I’m askin’ you to lift me, lift me higher than I ever been
Hold your breath and say you’re gonna come with me
We were born to follow
The light that never fails
Come along
We’re settin’ sail
Never looking back again
We’re not born to chase the fading light
We’re not born to fall and lose the fight
Never letting go
Oh no oh
I’m askin’ you to lift me, lift me higher than I ever been
Hold your breath and say you’re gonna come with me
We were born to follow
The light that never fails
The light that never fails
We were born to follow
The light that never fails
Light that never fails
The light that never fails
Andra Day
Quakers and Mutual Aid 