Yes, I know “methodically” and “desensitized” are two big words. “Methodically” has its root meaning in “method” which has the concept of “following a procedure, an orderly arrangement of steps, to achieve an end.” “Desensitize” means “to make less sensitive” or “to extinguish an emotional response (as of fear, anxiety or guilt) to stimuli that formerly induced it” (Webster).

Sixty years ago virtually every rural home had one or more guns sitting in the corner behind the bed or lying on a couple of nails over the door or fireplace. They were in open view. They were not locked in a cabinet. Children, grandchildren, and visiting children saw these guns. As I recall, in one home, the double-barrel 12 gauge shotgun was kept loaded (i.e. shells in the chamber). Yet, children did not “touch” these weapons! Why? Children were sensitive to their deadly use. Why? Parents knew how to say “no” or “don’t touch” and really mean it! "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15, ESV). "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15, NASB). “A correcting switch helps a child mature” (Pro. 22:15, McCord). Adequate discipline and corrective punishment is always effective when administered immediately following the child’s disobedient conduct. “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11, NASB). Inadequate discipline (not strong

enough) administered hours, days, even weeks later is almost never effective. Read carefully 1 Samuel 2:13-3:14.

The video games, TV movies, comics and science fiction stuff are literally filled with violence. Young adults of this generation beginning from toddlers grew-up watching their beloved cartoon heroes blow-up, smash-up, run-over, burn-up and beat-up their enemies. In the next scene the pieces come together again and another battle takes place. As they grew older the theater offered more aggressive scenes of violence, rebellion, gang lifestyle, dishonesty, bloodshed, gruesome murder, dismembering bodies, and gigantic explosions on “bigger screens” with louder and more horrifying “sound effects.”

Such screen violence over the months and years has methodically desensitized many youth to the real danger and fear of weapons and explosives. They seem to think that the gun is just a toy and bullets don’t hurt. Apparently they do not realize, until the bullet goes deep into their body, that pain is real, bullets are deadly, and they won’t come back the next day ready to do it all over again. Why did they do it? They became desensitized; Hollywood and the industry that produces such violence achieved an unwanted harvest and laughed all the way to the bank, while some youth laughed all the way to the school house to destroy others and themselves.

Windell R. Fikes
South San Francisco, CA