Bullying - The Silent Killer

Just about everywhere you turn over the past few years, you hear more about bullying as if it was something that just happened.

The Bible tells us of Esau who held a grudge against his brother Jacob (Genesis 27:41), and of Joseph’s brothers who hated and bullied their younger brother to such an extent that they betrayed him and sold him into slavery to Egypt. They hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Genesis 37:4.

So as you can see, bullying has been around for quite sometimes. There are always bullies and I am sure many of you dealt with your share of taunts, teasing, being kicked, tripped, poked with injection needles while at school assembly, and being beaten black and blue by gangs at school.

What has always concerned me is the unwillingness of many parents and teachers to recognise, or deal with, their children or students who are vicious bullies. I remember about two years ago,  I spoke at a in-service for some teachers in the Ford Heights school district concerning bullying. It was ironic that many of the teachers and staff have been in the district for quite sometime. We spoke of the children who were the current bully in the school, and some staff members remember that childs parent was the same when they attended the school.

Educationists are reporting that violence amongst school children is increasing. Many teachers are complaining about the violent character and destructive habits of so many of the children they are assigned to work with. As some put it-“They come saturated with the popular culture, foul mouthed language, resentful attitudes toward anyone in authority and arrogant disdain for learning.

Their parents give them no support in many cases too! A growing concern has sprouted with students who are openly gay. I don't care what anybody's politics or stand is on Gay/Lesbian rights. But no child or person should be taunted or made ashamed of who they are, Basic human rights to live in peace and harmony seems to diminish in this country. But look at how many deaths from suicide has arisen from someone taunted and bullied because of their sexual preference. We have become afraid to confront certain issues because of fear of administration just want to sweep certain issues under the rug, not to offend anyone. Children no longer respect their parents, teachers, one another or even animals. So why would you expect them to care about respecting themselves or any other child. As many parents head out to spend their hard earned money on video games and high definition tv's for their childrens rooms, take a look at this.

It is estimated that children see more than 8,000 murders and 100,000 violent acts on T.V. before they reach high school. Up to 80 percent of computer games aimed at youngsters between the ages of 8 and 14 realistically portray blood, beheadings, mutilation and death in graphic colour, with all of the associated sound effects. And heroes who die in these games come to life again, which teach children that violence has no consequences.

Do you approve of adultery and fornication? Would you enjoy watching criminals beat their victims senseless? Could you regard graphic violence or brutal murders entertaining? Would you want your children to learn from immoral or occultic teachers?  Of course not! We would be indignant at any such suggestion.  Yet, how often don’t we spend time unthinkingly watching such evils on T.V? And how often do our children sit in front of the T.V and watch such vile and violent programmes?

Have you noticed how many of the children’s cartoons depict graphic violence, immorality and occultism? Which of us would allow a stranger to come into our home and rearrange the furniture? Yet, daily we allow strangers on the television, or through magazines and music, to reorganise our thoughts. Strangers have become the greatest influence on the mental and emotional development of our children – through T.V. And superficial, sensational and immoral material predominates in the modern entertainment industry.

It is producing an increasingly selfish, superficial, mindless and immoral society. A tree is known by its fruit (Matt. 12:33). By the time the average child completes high school, they will have spent 15,000 hours in school, watched between 15,000 to 30,000 hours of television and listened to over 10,000 hours of music. The influence of parents and churches in the upbringing of most children today is declining at an alarming rate. The disintegration of many families, absentee parents and a general absence of discipline have created a vacuum. Violent and immoral films and videos, throbbing pulsating noise masquerading as “music” and pornographic magazines, websites  are filling the void in the aimless and meaningless lives of all too many young people.

I have heard so many parents call the police on 14-year-old teens and say in front of the child, "I cant do anything with them and I am starting to become afraid of them." It makes me cringe to hear such things. Parenting is not easy in anyway. I sometimes say its tougher than dealing with criminals on the streets. But I will never be afraid of a child living under my roof.  Do not be afraid of any man. Deuteronomy 1:17 

We live in a time where it looks good on paper for hate crimes against individuals breaking the laws against someone because of the Race, Religion or personal life styles. But try to enforce it in some counties and states. So I have to ask. Will we speak  up or be Silent?