Tuesday 26 July 2016

On Terror and Pity

There’s an effort of will in committing a murder, or mass murders. By beginning with respect for the agency of souls even in the presence of mind-altering drugs whether natural or attained, I perceive that action results in guilt. Guilt is objective; it has nothing to do with feelings or motivations: we bathe in it every day. Hence the world’s redemption, accomplished through a judicial murder, to expiate the guilt of us all.
           Too much terror is about. Too many murders and mass murders: too much guilt. Too much fear for ourselves, for others. Terror creates consequences.Those of good will and sanctity pray for killers as well as victims: that is, the guilty as well as the innocent. ‘Troubled soul’ is the image.
            I’m reminded of Aristotle’s view that tragedy clarifies the emotions through pity and fear. To return ourselves to human scale, the appropriate emotion towards the guilty — whether through circumstance or design — is neither sympathy nor understanding, but pity. These individuals are in the hands of the powers of evil; that’s a deadly place to be; we confront human vulnerability.

            Lead us not into temptation, we pray, sed libera nos a malo. Pity and terror, O Lord.

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