So if the concern isn\u2019t over theology \u2014 or any specific, known teaching of the church \u2014 then why the alarm bell?<\/p>\n
It should warn us about our vulnerability. The shooting in Poway is a terrifying reminder that the church isn\u2019t immune to any moral malady that stalks our land. It may land within the church with varying degrees of intensity and frequency, but it will land in the church. And as we see the spread of the very kind of online hate that seduced the Poway shooter, it\u2019s incumbent upon the church to wake up and deal with this modern, deadly incarnation of the very old sin of white supremacy.<\/p>\n
In 2015 and 2016, when my family was in the crosshairs of the alt-right \u2014 with my adopted daughter the subject of vile and vicious online memes \u2014 members of my church (and my Christian friends from across the nation) were shocked and appalled. The vast majority didn\u2019t even know online communities such as 4chan or 8chan existed. Some were completely unfamiliar with terms such as \u201cmeme\u201d or words like \u201csh**posting\u201d or even \u201ctrolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even folks who were far more wise to the Internet\u2019s ways assured me that there was no real risk. The sh**posters and trolls were in it for the \u201clulz,\u201d the laughs. They just wanted to inflict \u2014 and mock \u2014 our family\u2019s pain. In hindsight, that complacency was foolish.<\/p>\n
Now we know. Now we have no excuse not to know. Among the many malevolent forces that stalk our children \u2014 including the children of the faithful \u2014 is a new form of an old evil.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Poway synagogue shooting should be an alarm bell for the church. Here\u2019s why: https:\/\/t.co\/nNY9Y89co8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 David French (@DavidAFrench) May 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n