These are my two stock in trades and I for one have to make some connections between these two seemingly disparate worlds. I work in the criminal justice system and am a follower of Jesus.
The horror and lament of a family man, a teacher stabbed in his own home as he disturbs a criminal attempting to burgle his home in leafy Chiswick.. Bleary eyed he descends the stairs and is stabbed in an unprovoked attack and left for dead as the burglar makes his escape. This is crime at its most detestable and horrific. What causes a burglar to take such a malevolent step? He does not appear to display any remorse. Is he strung out on drugs and trying to get some money for his next fix- highly probably and carries a knife for his own protection.
Is the knife a cool accessory to defend him from being a victim, from being robbed of his status trainers with the Nike tick? This is the world of fashion and the gun is for me to pose as a gangster with respect, because I am a big man who fears being “jacked”. Fashion and fear are factors related to the causes of crime. I take what I haven’t got because the advertisements turn my wants into needs and feed on my greed and envy. I have no scruples about taking what I desire, as I see nothing wrong, only the strong survive and the rest can take a dive. There is no such thing as respect, it has to be earned by displays of valor and people have to validate my identity. I had it hard and had to earn this respect on the receiving end of my own father’s fists.
Crime has its reasons and they are more than just personal, they are systemic and they must involve the church. Justice is more than just punishing the offender, its about rehabilitating him and ensuring he is restored to full relationship within the wider community. It’s about recognising the pain of the victim and their anger and fear and bringing some resolution. Christ was branded a criminal and was punished as such. He was framed, wrongly accused and convicted by a kangaroo court and sentenced to crucifixion.
Recent Comments