Sherry Atkinson wrote the following in response to the 402 shootings to date this year in the United States. The original is available on Medium.
It describes perfectly the lack of effort by the Episcopal Church and other denominations to address gun violence. And all the structural racism study groups and Building Beloved Community Circles are worse than useless if we cannot be safe on the streets.
And as between prayer and action, we’re prepared to bet God prefers action. No, not orange ribbon on vestments.
ACTION.
Empathy without respect
is a hollow facade
But it’s what we’ve come to expect
that, and the Word of God
Thoughts and prayers and prayers and thoughts
so glibly spoken
Buckets full of shoulds and oughts
Nothing more than empty tokens
But when it comes down to actions
a chance to make a change
They slip into their opposing factions
Instead of solutions, it’s insults they exchange
No longer focused on the innocents
whose lives were taken away
Survivors pain now met with indifference
and they are left alone to pray
Empathy without respect
is a hollow facade
But it’s what we’ve come to expect
that, and the Word of God
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