Despite our far distance from Connecticut, we are not removed emotionally from the unfathomable, hideous killings of 20 young innocent children and six adults. It has indeed touched us and broke our hearts. How could this be and why? We ask these questions. Unfortunately, we would never know really the answers. We could only speculate based on the facts available.
Mental illness is not and must not be seen as an excuse for this horrific behavior. It is unfair to individuals with mental health conditions as there are many who suffer from mental illness, but are not violent, are not dangerous, nor are they murderers.
Clearly an individual that would do such a horrible thing as killing innocent persons must have no faith in God, must have no conscience, and have no remorse in what he is doing or has done. He simply does not really care about himself and much less of others to allow his uncontrollable rage to strike out at anyone indiscriminately. It's like a volcano building up for an eruption and who gets in the way gets destroyed.
Conscience is what keeps our behaviors in check. It's the inner sense, a judgment, that one has in determining what is right and wrong and in how one conducts himself. Conscience is derived from values and rules that a person has learned early on in life from parents and other authority figures, it's about what is right and what is wrong. It's about the "golden rule" of treating others the way you want to be treated. It is about self respect, respect of others, taking responsibility for one's actions and about restitution. These are learned positive behaviors that make up one's conscience.
As adults and as parents we must help our young to develop consciences that would form their character as responsible and caring individuals. We can start by examining our basic human values and impart these to our children early in their lives and throughout their development.
We must teach our children through modeling "good will" to others. This is an attitude of kindness, compassion and benevolence. Teach and model human values such as respect of oneself, respect of others and respect of the laws of the community we live in. An individual growing up with strong teachings of good will and faith in God would most likely develop conscience and benevolence toward self and others.
During this Christmas season allow time to give the most valuable gift to our children and families, and that is teaching and modeling an attitude of kindness, friendliness, compassion and benevolence.
Merry Christmas and peace on earth, good will to men!
Mental illness is not and must not be seen as an excuse for this horrific behavior. It is unfair to individuals with mental health conditions as there are many who suffer from mental illness, but are not violent, are not dangerous, nor are they murderers.
Clearly an individual that would do such a horrible thing as killing innocent persons must have no faith in God, must have no conscience, and have no remorse in what he is doing or has done. He simply does not really care about himself and much less of others to allow his uncontrollable rage to strike out at anyone indiscriminately. It's like a volcano building up for an eruption and who gets in the way gets destroyed.
Conscience is what keeps our behaviors in check. It's the inner sense, a judgment, that one has in determining what is right and wrong and in how one conducts himself. Conscience is derived from values and rules that a person has learned early on in life from parents and other authority figures, it's about what is right and what is wrong. It's about the "golden rule" of treating others the way you want to be treated. It is about self respect, respect of others, taking responsibility for one's actions and about restitution. These are learned positive behaviors that make up one's conscience.
As adults and as parents we must help our young to develop consciences that would form their character as responsible and caring individuals. We can start by examining our basic human values and impart these to our children early in their lives and throughout their development.
We must teach our children through modeling "good will" to others. This is an attitude of kindness, compassion and benevolence. Teach and model human values such as respect of oneself, respect of others and respect of the laws of the community we live in. An individual growing up with strong teachings of good will and faith in God would most likely develop conscience and benevolence toward self and others.
During this Christmas season allow time to give the most valuable gift to our children and families, and that is teaching and modeling an attitude of kindness, friendliness, compassion and benevolence.
Merry Christmas and peace on earth, good will to men!
