Mass Murder in Orlando

I'd be writing a longer, more detailed, post about this; but still haven't resolved some technical issues. (May 6, 2016; updated May 16, 2016)

A young man killed more than four dozen folks at an entertainment venue last night/early this morning. He took some of the survivors hostage, and is now dead, too.

I've run into several assumptions about what happened: and a few facts.

What seems certain is that 50 people are dead, and 53 injured. The killer may or may not be included in the 50 fatalities.

Reactions

In my considered opinion, murder is a bad idea and we shouldn't do it. Not even if we're upset about something the victim is doing. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2268-2269, 2302)

The killer's and victims' identity may, quite likely will, inspire various knee-jerk reactions —

Omar Mir Seddique Mateen's parents are from Afghanistan, he's probably a Muslim. ('Everybody knows what they're like.')

The victims were at what's called a gay nightclub. ('They're sinners and deserved to die.')

And so on.

Given the circumstances, and scale, of the incident; we'll probably be seeing this in the news for some time. Politicos are already, I've heard, making use of the deaths. That, I am not looking forward to.

My guess is that the killer's father has a point:

"...Mateen's father Mir Seddique told NBC News that the incident had nothing to do with religion, but may have been triggered by the sight of a gay couple kissing in Miami...."
(BBC News)

Instead of ranting about Afghani-Americans, Floridians, or anyone else; I'll repeat what I've said before. A lot.

Love

I should love God, love my neighbors, see everybody as my neighbor, and treat others as I want to be treated. (Matthew 5:43-44, 7:12, 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31 10:25-27, 29-37)

I've said this before, too (December 13, 2015):

Learning to notice whether something I'm about to do will help or hurt another is vital. (Catechism, 1776-1794)

We're social creatures, so I must think about the common good: which involves using my conscience. (Catechism, 1905-1912, 1928-1942)

That can include situations like the old "friends don't let friends drive drunk" public service ads. It's a matter of showing love and respect for another person. (Catechism, 1929-1933, 2284-2301)

"Love the sinner, hate the sin" may be a cliche, but it's a good idea. (April 26, 2015)

"...judging others leads us to hypocrisy ... a person who judges gets it wrong...because he takes the place of God, who is the only judge: taking that place is taking the wrong place!..."
(Francis I)

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"...although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God."
(Catechism, 1861)

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"Stop judging, that you may not be judged."
(Jesus, in Matthew 7:1)

More about love and neighbors:

• "Hate People? Not an Option"
  (September 6, 2015)
  Particularly
  • Love: NO EXCEPTIONS
• "Sex, Satan, and Me: Getting a Grip"
  (July 12, 2015)
  Particularly
  • Respect, Dignity, and Drunk Driving
• "Charleston Church Shooting: Emotions and Reason"
  (June 21, 2015)
  Particularly
  • "Our Country?" Difference, Acceptance, and Murder
  • Life and Reality
  • Looking Out For Each Other
• "Newtown, Connecticut: Mass Murder, Assumptions, and Judgment"
  (December 29, 2013)
• "The Catholic Church and Homosexuals: Harsh and Soft, Judgmental and Understanding"
  (March 13, 2009)
  Particularly
  • "Afraid of Anybody or Anything that was Not Like Him"