s-i-c-k

So.

I'm taking this class right now called Victimology. It's one I've kind of been looking forward to taking for awhile now, mostly because the prof is my fave and just because it's something I've moreso recently become interested in. And I have to admit the class itself isn't my fave. But I think the things we talk about are so good.

But... sometimes... it just makes me sick. honest to goodness sick to my stomach. I can't believe there are people out there who somehow justify in their minds hurting others. physically, emotionally, mentally, whatever. it's disgusting.

I think the past couple years have really been an eye opener for me to what this world truly is. Humans are savages. Sometimes, when I read the Bible and read all the terrible stories about how people treated each other and things that happened, I never imagine them happening today. But the saddest thing is that they actually do happen. and it's probably even worse now than it ever was before. And my skin just crawls knowing there are creepy, perverted people out there. People who prey on other people to experience joy and satisfaction in their lives. What sick and depraved people we are.

And all the more my calling is sure. I need to work with people who have been victimized. At this point, I really don't care in what capacity, but I'm sick of learning about all the hurting people out there. I want to be proactive in making a difference. In getting women out of the trafficking circles. Getting children away from adults who show "love" by abusing them. By showing the true love that I've been learning so much about lately to those who truly need it most.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Ahhhhhhhh!!!! And then the next passage comes to mind....

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

I mean this story seems so simple. Help those in need. But I mean really let's think about this. A Samaritan man was the one who took pity on the man. And he not only took care of his wounds, but housed him in an inn for a night and then offered to pay the innkeeper whatever other costs the man incurred while staying there. Who does that anymore??

We're talking about Helping Others in my Social Psychology class right now and we're talking about the Bystander Effect which says that the presence of others inhibits our helping of others. So if we know something is wrong but others are present we won't do anything. We assume others will do or say something. We cross to the other side of the road, step over the hurting, or turn a blind eye to the truth of the what our world has come to. And I just can't do that. I can't live my life knowing that people need someone on their side to show them love. It's revolting, really.... 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18. Are you ok with that?? Why is the current divorce rate 50%?? Why is the divorce rate at Grace College 50%?? (guesstimated; not actual statistic) And that's not even the half what's truly going on...

Are you ok with that??

I'm certainly not...