Posted on 05/25/2014 3:33:44 AM PDT by lee martell
We, who read the news are still coming to terms with the tragic killings of six innocent people and one suicide in Southern California Friday night. I read much of what is being called the Manifesto of Elliot Rodgers. Elliot was very ill, and had been chronically in a state of paranoid hysteria since his teen years. Elliot was also a very good writer. His utility of the language was quite sophisticated for someone his age. When I hear the term 'Manifesto', I naturally think of the ugliest one; Mein Kampf, which is almost back to back rationalized hatred, egoism and institutionalized bigotry. It is a closely focused and heavy handed collection of propaganda. When I read Elliot Rodgers 'Manifesto' There was definitely a large amount of hatred being expressed, for himself and others. However, there was also a first person narrative, using his 'authors' voice. Rodgers described in great detail the types of environments that made up what was called his life from age 5 onto past 21 years. Rodgers expressed closeness to his family, but also expected them to constantly provide for his needs. Even though many of Elliot's favorite memories with his family were centered around Christmas holiday gatherings, I was struck that there was no direct reference to religion at all in his family.
Not all families are religious, I'm not going to pretend that I'm surprised. However, in light of all that has occured, this lack of spirituality in the family is all the more unfortunate. It seems no one ever told or hinted to Elliot that life is often easier to bear if you can have faith in more than just yourself and in other people. Rodger's bio mother is from an Asian country. That part of the world has a history full of religious and spiritual faiths. There are some areas that practice Buddhism, Shinto, Christianty, Tao and Zen. I understand some people become focused on the job of survival and simply don't pencil in any deep observations based on the ephemerals of what is to them unproved beliefs.
Elliot was caught something of a Peter Pan syndrome, a Toys R Us, not wanting to grow up, and not really being expected to until he was about 20. By then, both parents had gotten their fill of his selfish, greedy ways. Neither parent wanted him living with them full time. So what may be a downside to being reared in a somewhat wealthy family, is that you can become obsessed with matters of the inner world very easily.
I was struck by how extreme his elitism became. Some would say his bigotry. "How could those girls pick this guy, the descendant of slaves, when they should be picking me, the descendant of English royalty?" His audacity was astounding. If the ending wasn't so horrifically tragic and life altering, it would hold a certain brand of black humor. However, Elliot was not joking, and part of the problem was that he tool everything, including himself way too seriously. It's unfortunate that his 'Manifesto' is out there now, fully available to download online. All the family business is an open book during those times. Here is a feature of irony; Peter Rodger; Elliot's dad, produced and directed a film in 2009 called "What Does God Mean?" where he spent 3 years traveling around the world collecting short interviews with stars and celebrities asking them what "God" meant to them. Participants included Ringo Starr and The actor who starred in Wolverine. The movie sunk like a stone, bankrupting Peter and setting him back financially for many years. The Hunger Games was his most recent, lucrative work as assistant director. Elliot describes that time as "I was embarrassed at dad telling everyone about his financial troubles". No empathy for the dad was expressed. People seem to forget all the useful life lessons in morality young children can learn from religious instruction. They may chose not to do the right thing later on in life, but they do very much know the difference between right and wrong.
Will he still be labeled a right-wing Christian zealot?
I don’t think media will approach this story that way, as the Rodgers were not known to be particularly religious except for Christmas and Easter banquets. Those mansion based dinners were often more a matter of public relations vs any direct expression of faith.
What many will zero in on is how did he get all those guns. Who, if anyone helped him. It’s far easier to blame the faceless NRA monolith instead of naming other factors where individual would be cupable, like his ‘team’ of psychiatrists and social counselors. Why did none of them know of his potential danger.
I neglected to add in my article, that Elliot Rodgers had written that it was common for him to send OVER FOURTEEN HOURS a DAY playing WORLDS OF WAR ONLINE, and others such as Halo. Some boys can play these games, have fun, then walk back into the satisfying reality of their own lives, Elliot could not. His mother indulged him, and allowed him to spend almost every waking hour online playing war games. This surely served to stunt his emotional maturity.
It’s God’s fault?
Rather, we are seeing the reality of seeing the war between Heaven and Hades made visable.
—
Yes, it’s all around us if we look. Innocent bystanders murdered by demon possessed individuals, 50+ million unborn babies aborted/murdered by their own mothers, doctors who pledge to “first do no harm” but choose to “kill not heal” for the convenience of society, judges who pledge “justice” but fail to defend our laws and the Constitution authored by godly men, people who pledge allegiance to one nation “under GOD” but reject HIS authority, police that pledge to “serve and protect” but only exert their authority, public schools that have removed daily prayer and biblical references from the lives of our children, the political correctness and acceptance of homosexuality and same sex marriages, and a government for the people which rejects the will of the people.
To the heathen liberal, this world is their “Heaven”. But to the GOD-fearing conservative it is knowing “Hades” does exist and Jesus now holds the keys. We also know there is a “Heaven” for those redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
But he did mention God. He said that he “ will be a God”.
You are right!. That line of arrogance is outside my way of thinking about God, but it suited Elliots myopic vanity in full.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.