Justifying Murder

The cold blooded murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City Street was shocking. But even more shocking is the reaction of a sizable number of people following the apprehension of the murderer.

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old who committed the crime, was well educated and came from family of privilege, apparently felt aggrieved by the health care industry and was making a statement.

According to multiple new sources on both the left and right, ”Mangione’s arrest has turned him into a symbol of resistance for those frustrated by the U.S. health care system.” Wanted posters have popped up around New York City with the pictures of other Health Care CEO’s. Some in social media have hailed Mangione as a hero.

In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, Liberal Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, responded to the support of the murderer saying, “The visceral response from people across the country who feel cheated, ripped off, and threatened by the vile practices of their insurance companies should be a warning to everyone in the healthcare system.”

Warren then added, “Violence is never the answer, but people can be pushed only so far. This is a warning that if you push people hard enough, they lose faith in the ability of their government to make change, lose faith in the ability of the people who are providing the health care to make change, and start to take matters into their own hands in ways that will ultimately be a threat to everyone,”

But? What does it mean when you make a statement then say, “but”?  Sounds like a tacit justification for the crime.

As shocking as these sentiments seem, I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, abortion, which is taking the life of an innocent unborn child is justified as a woman’s “right to choose.”

Euthanasia, called “mercy killing,” has been justified by some, as means to end a person’s suffering, and the emotional drain on their care givers. Remember Dr. Jack Kevorkian?

In view of all of this, the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament, simply commands, “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13; Rom. 13:9).

Murder, however, is not the only sin that is rationalized is our culture today.

The Bible also says, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex. 20:14; Rom. 13:9). Yet, people do engage in immoral acts and justify them with a variety of “reasons.”

• “I’m only human.”
• “She doesn’t meet my needs.”
• “He is selfish and not romantic.”
• “The temptation was too strong.”
• “I wasn’t happy with her (or him), but she (or he) makes me happy.”

Other sins, from lying to stealing to uncontrolled anger can also find justification when we feel cheated, oppressed, or entitled. Of course, when God’s standards are ignored, disrespected, or replaced with human wisdom, this is the result.

Our culture has been fed the lie that “there are no absolutes.” The philosophies of relativism, secularism, and individualism have permeated government, education, and even some churches. If there is no God, and no Divine moral standard, who can say murder in given situation is unjustified? Or that lying is not wrong? Or that adultery is a sin?

Sadly our society is becoming much like the wicked period of the Old Testament Judges where the Bible says, “ Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jud. 21:15).

The only answer is a return to the Lord and to His Word. The need of God’s people in ancient Israel is truly our need today.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14-15).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman