What triggers the killing of so many innocents? Why does this happen? One day, an apparently calm individual takes a gun and pulls the trigger. Just like that. Maybe he has a target (his ex girlfriend and her new boyfriend?), maybe he targets the rest of the world. He doesn’t care anymore. There is no excuse. There is, however, one question: why?

We are too busy to listen. We are too busy to care. Sometimes we see sad people on our way and we don’t stop to ask them what’s the matter. It would look strange if we do: we’d be the “screwed” ones. Where is our kindness? What happens with the lonely people when they cannot take the burden anymore? Solitude generates monsters. Hurt and pain, an unshared love makes them feel helpless. And suddenly… black is their universe: black with hate. Nothing good comes out of hate and revenge.

If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Exodus 21:23 –25

The problem with this quote is that people take it ad literam. I often say that metaphoric writing is not for the masses. I often say that writing in official documents should be clear… However, The Old Testament was not meant for the masses. It used to be a sacred code, for the initiates. Now it holds universal value. It’s THE Book. Many believe in it blindly, without questioning anything, forgetting that it was handled by people, it was altered in many parts and it is not even complete. Important parts of it were lost, others are kept under lock and key by the Vatican. But most importantly: parts of this book are purely related to the history of the Jewish people. These parts hold codes of law designated for the children of Israel. And I am not going to ramble more about it. I am going to let someone else speak:

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:38-42, NIV

Or maybe you are not a believer? Then take Socrate’s word for an answer:

One should never do wrong in return, nor mistreat any man, no matter how one has been mistreated by him.

Look inside your hearts and answer frankly to a simple question: does hate feel good? Do you feel better in rage? No… I don’t think so.

When people like Steli hurt, they don’t take a gun to punish the world for its faults. They go online, buy a domain, and speak up. They speak of kindness, compassion, and real universal value. We have a lot to learn from this wonderful young man. He is driven by dreams. He is caring and warm and he knows how to give…

One Day Blog Silence.

So join Steli and support his initiative. The One Day Blog Silence is just a way to show our respect for the dead. In Virginia they were all victims, even the attacker. He (probably) took his own life in the end. He cannot answer anymore, he cannot tell us why.

I ask again: why? Why did this happen? You read? You’re tagged!