What causes seemingly ordinary people to commit acts of great evil? Is it the media they consume, the company they keep, or something deeper within?
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Introduction
On a hot summer afternoon in Butler, Pennsylvania, a rally for former President Donald Trump was abruptly disrupted by an attempted assassination. The perpetrator, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a seemingly ordinary young man with a promising future. This event, alongside other tragic instances like the Columbine High School massacre, prompts a critical question: What causes seemingly ordinary people to commit acts of great evil? Is it the media they consume, the company they keep, or something deeper within? This article delves into the unseen forces that drive human behavior and uncovers the truth behind why people choose to do wrong.
The Incident: A Snapshot of Tragedy
Several minutes into speaking at the rally, shots were fired. Trump narrowly escaped harm as the bullet grazed him, and the U.S. Secret Service quickly neutralized the threat. Crooks, the gunman, was a 20-year-old graduate who had received accolades for his academic achievements. This tragic incident left one attendee dead and two others critically wounded. While the investigation into Crooks’ motives was ongoing, the media speculated about possible political and social influences.
Understanding the Why: A Look Back at Columbine
To understand such acts of violence, we turn to the documentary “Columbine: Understanding Why,” which aired on April 15, 2002. The documentary explored the reasons behind the Columbine High School massacre, where Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold unleashed unimaginable violence. Dr. Park Dietz, a renowned forensic psychiatrist, led a team of experts to conduct a psychiatric autopsy on the perpetrators.
Dr. Dietz emphasized that individuals are influenced by their environment, but the choices they make are ultimately personal. He stated, “For people who are adversely influenced by films or music or video games, it’s not because the art is inherently evil. Every individual selects what influences they expose themselves to.”
Media and Behavior: A Complex Relationship
Dr. Dietz’s statement highlights the complex relationship between media consumption and individual behavior. Several studies support his view:
- Selective Exposure Theory: This theory posits that individuals seek out media that aligns with their existing beliefs. People with strong political beliefs, for instance, tend to select news sources that reinforce their viewpoints, indicating that media consumption reflects pre-existing preferences rather than directly causing behavior changes.
- Uses and Gratifications Theory: According to this theory, individuals actively choose media based on the gratifications they seek to fulfill. Research suggests that the choice of violent games, films, or music could be driven by a pre-existing desire for excitement or stress relief.
- Research on Media Effects: Studies indicate that pre-existing personality traits and environmental factors play significant roles in how individuals are affected by media. For instance, exposure to violent video games did not increase aggression in individuals with low trait aggression but influenced those already predisposed to aggressive behavior.
These studies collectively affirm that media influence is shaped by individual choices and predispositions, rather than being inherently harmful.
The Biblical Perspective: Understanding the Heart
While psychology and sociology provide valuable insights, they often miss a crucial element: the spiritual condition of the heart. The Bible offers profound understanding into human behavior, emphasizing that internal states drive external actions.
The Nature of Human Appetites
Galatians 5:19-21 lists the works of the flesh, including adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, and other sins. These represent the appetites of human carnality. The Bible teaches that those who are in bondage to sin are slaves to their desires and appetites. James 1:14-15 further explains that individuals are tempted by their own lusts, which lead to sin and ultimately death.
The Role of the Heart
The Bible’s concept of the heart encompasses the emotional, intellectual, and volitional dimensions of a person. It is seen as the innermost part of human beings, influencing feelings, thoughts, and decisions. Key scriptures highlight the importance of guarding the heart, as it determines one’s relationship with God and others (Proverbs 4:23).
Jesus taught that the state of a person’s inner being affects what they seek and perceive. If the eye (a metaphor for the mind or heart) is good, the person will be full of light. Conversely, if it is evil, they will be full of darkness (Matthew 6:22-23). This underscores the idea that internal spiritual conditions dictate the nature of what one seeks externally.
Transformation Through Christ
Romans 6:16-23 provides a profound discourse on the transformation that occurs in believers. Paul explains that we are servants to whom we obey—either sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness. Believers, having been set free from sin, become servants of righteousness. This new nature in Christ enables believers to choose against their carnal nature and live in holiness.
Conclusion: The Intersection of Science and Faith
While psychology and sociology provide valuable insights into human behavior, they often miss the mark when God is taken out of the picture. The Bible offers a comprehensive understanding of the human heart, emphasizing that our actions reflect our internal spiritual condition. Science and faith together reveal that without Jesus, humanity is bound to follow its carnal nature, but through faith in Christ, individuals can become new creations, capable of choosing righteousness over sin.
This article seeks to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers, offering a holistic view that incorporates both scientific studies and biblical truths. Understanding the forces that drive human behavior requires looking at both external influences and the internal condition of the heart, ultimately pointing to the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.
