Response to The Colorado Springs Nightclub Shootings

 On November 20, 2022, a 22-year-old gunman entered a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs and opened fire. They killed five people and left more than two dozen injured.

 

Shortly after the attack, the shooter’s mother was taken into custody for disorderly conduct, and the shooter’s father gave a disheartening interview.

 

While the father did eventually express remorse about persons being killed, his main concern wasn’t for the families of the murdered victims. It wasn’t for the atrocity of what his child had done. It was, instead, for his child’s sexuality.

 

In the interview with a CBS news station, the father, a former MMA fighter and pornography actor, declared his relief that his child was not gay.

 

“They started telling me about the incident, a shooting involving multiple people,” he said. “And then I go on to find out it’s a gay bar. I said, ‘God, is he gay?’ I got scared, ‘Shit, is he gay?’ And he’s not gay, so I said, ‘Phhhewww…’”

 

He went on to say that in his family “We don’t do gay.”

 

In the aftermath of five random and senseless murders, “We don’t do gay,” was the man’s response…and his response was based on his religion.

 

How sad.

 

I know. There is more to this story. Clearly, this family is very broken. Their system is out of balance and probably has been for generations.

 

But…friends: We have got to get beyond using our religion to run from, ignore, or condemn individuals and entire groups of people because we don’t understand or agree with them.

 

Our first response should always be to the horrors of taking human life—literally and figuratively—because God created each of us and loves each of us—regardless of anything we may deem as right or wrong or sin. God is the ultimate judge of humanity. We must let God do God’s work.

 

Oh God: Be with the families and friends of those who lost lives in the Colorado Springs nightclub shooting and with those still recovering—with those whose lives will never be the same because of the trauma. Be, also, with the family of the shooter and do something in them that is beyond human comprehension. If I believe that you are a God of love and redemption, then I must believe that even they are not beyond your grasp. Help us to be a support for all those experiencing trauma and help us, God, to put true life ahead of politics and religion. Forgive us when we judge. And grant us the strength and freedom to love. Amen.