We lived in a city that was not alien to violence. Domestic upheaval, drug wars, school vandalism, parent and child tragedies—all of these were all too familiar to our lifestyle. But random violence from an unknown assailant day after day, this was new. This was mind blowing. This was fear. How could we operate with “business as usual” when we were awakened daily feeling no one was safe, and everyone was target.

Our employees, families and friends were openly confessing they were afraid to perform simple “daily living” tasks like going to store, mowing lawn, or catching bus much less going to work. The local news media had been inundated with helplessness, frustration, sorrow and pain. In addition, our police security had confirmed our worse concerns. They had no idea how to fight battle and guarantee our safety. Daily we faced question what were we to do now? People expressed fear. “But God hath not given us spirit of fear; but of power and love and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7 KJV).

We must continue to remind ourselves that we are living in a time when we must know that we know who we are and whose we are. The enemy, working through men, has threatened to destroy our economy and abolish our freedoms. If we continue with “carnal” thinking, we will continue to respond to tragic situations with our natural eyes only. We will fall in enemy’s hands and become slaves to follow their dictate and commands. We will continue to close schools, shut down businesses, avoid daily routines and hide in our homes awaiting final blow. If we maintain carnal thinking, we will keep our youth from quality education, shut libraries, museums and other public facilities. If we respond to tragedy carnally, we will begin to trade our freedom for a hostage lifestyle and begin living like captives in our own land.

Faith is now. It is time for us to address our natural life challenges using spirit-based guidelines. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)

We must acknowledge real enemy when experiencing violence related battles, and take unto ourselves “whole armor of God” so that we may be able to withstand “in evil day”. And, after having done all in natural, stand in prayer “spiritually.” This is our charge as parents, businesspeople, law enforcers and politicians.

I am intolerant because I refuse to accept modern definition of tolerance. This new, enlightened definition did not storm landscape in hard boots. It did not thrust itself on American culture as a result of a single, polarizing event. It crept, instead, ever so slowly into our national lexicon. It diffused below radar of conscience. It succeeded in becoming anchor of our modern morality.

My old college copy of American Heritage Dictionary states clearly that to tolerate means to “...recognize and respect, as rights, opinions, or practices of others whether agreeing with them or not.” With respect to another’s particular inclinations or behaviors, classic definition of tolerance allows me to honor their freedom while still honoring my conscience. I am able to judge actions, not people, from afar and hold those actions up to scrutiny of my moral code. Both of our free wills are rightly respected. Makes perfect sense.

The revised definition of tolerance, however, removes my ability to disagree with another’s actions. I am now under pressure to recognize, respect and approve all actions of my fellow man, regardless of where such actions reside on moral continuum. In other words, I must sanction that which is immoral, unlawful, or just plain sinful to avoid severe penalty. What severe penalty? The notorious badge of “intolerant.” It’s label that ends discussion, closes issue and hisses loudly that its recipient is a social leper. For absolute censorship, I expect “judgmental” added on as well.

So there I am - accused, indicted and executed without a trial. The true import of this penalty is that it now taints everything else that I have to say in future. Its broad scope ensures that I am properly vilified as one who considers himself above all others, looking down with disdain on a vast ocean of sinners. The sentence passed on me ensures that my moral code is bludgeoned out of existence. It’s been deemed old-fashioned, out-of-touch, or completely unenlightened. I am now persona non grata for my temerity in declaring anyone’s behavior to be wrong.

Funny thing is, in labeling me intolerant my culture fails to realize that I am simply honoring time-honored precepts I have chosen to live by. I am not operating from a set of principles developed on my own. I am not rendering my personal opinion. As a subscriber to a code of life known as Christianity, I have sworn to honor its demands. Going to Mass, fasting and prayer are part of my faith and pose few problems to society. Caring for poor and dispossessed even garner a degree of respect and approval. Identifying right and wrong actions, however, opens door to untold woe. I am instantly silenced and shunned for observing these demands of same code of faith. Could it be that modern notion of tolerance, unmasked, is simply hard-core intolerance?

On to my insensitivity. Yes, I am utterly insensitive, a regular Attila Hun. A bona-fide lost cause. Why? Because, like tolerance, term sensitive has been modified to fit emerging theology of now. Due to numerous socio-political contortions, I no longer have any earthly idea what this word means. My faithful dictionary reminds me that to be sensitive means, “...susceptible to attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others.” No doubt it is important to pay attention to welfare of others. Compassion and understanding are two hallmarks of human nature. Makes perfect sense.