Barbaric Acts in the Modern Age and the Appalling Sound of Silence

Why would any group choose to behead someone? In the 21^st Century,  the words barbarians and beheadings should both be viewed as arcane language. Instead, we see South and Central American drug cartels plus groups of extremists fighting in the Middle East using beheadings as a frequent and popular method of murder. For those of us living in the relative shelter and peace of the Continental United States, it’s hard to fathom the black hole of hatred and darkness seen and used by these people. Why do they behead people?

One clue concerning the Islamic extremists leads us to the time of Mohammed. Even in the prophet’s time, (570 AD to 632 AD), he was condemned for an act of violence which left seven-hundred Jewish men beheaded at the siege of Banu Qurayza. In certain parts of Italy and in the U.S., the Mafia and drug cartels of South America use beheadings to serve as warnings to those who would stand in their way.

Sadly, we probably have not reached the end of this appalling use of violence and barbarism in the course of human existence. Where the cycle of violence will end and how is yet unknown to us. But when the unthinkable occurs time and again and the unspeakable acts are given free reign within the marauding gangs of terrorists, then we must take a hard look at our own system of values and beliefs. Not because we condone such acts, but simply because we remain silent too long.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” He spoke eloquently of the greatest tragedy being not the “…strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” The silence is appalling. No quarter should be given for barbaric acts occurring in the 21^st Century. No one should remain silent. When enough people of good faith raise their voices, the will to commit the unthinkable will be forever silenced.