On September 8, 2011, a 33 year old man named David Laffer was arrested outside his home in Long Island, New York for the robbery that took place on June 19th. Laffer robbed a pharmacy for prescription pain pills and ending up killing two workers and two customers. Laffer resisted his arrest and became extremely violent, eventually leading the police to take action using physical force in order to get him to cooperate. He eventually pleaded guilty to five counts of first degree murder. Laffer will be sentenced to a life in prison without parole and will start October 17th. Laffer’s wife was also arrested outside their home and was charged with third-degree robbery and obstructing governmental administration.
In class, we read Wilson's book “Hurt People Hurt People” which discussed how shame can create victims into victimizers. People become hurt from a deeply rooted problem that was developed during their childhood and, though often times the public overlooks murderer’s deep pain, they are created this way because that is the only way they know how to survive from their broken past. Sometimes it even involves bringing others down with them if they are still able to get their few minutes’ worth of “fix.” Also, Wilson’s book discussed how unresolved shame can lead to addictions. Laffer’s robbery was the result of his attempt to acquire more pain pills and it ultimately lead to four people losing their lives. This demonstrates how strong that desire for addictions become and how badly a person desires those addictions to help mask the hurt. Unfortunately, however, addictions become greedy and they only last temporarily. Also, in Anderson’s book “The Bondage Breaker” there is a discussion of the constant struggle between good and evil. Laffer was displaying behavior that is greatly involved with the enemy and his tactics in tearing down aching and vulnerable individuals.
This article is an appropriate depiction of evil and its temptations. I believe when a child grows up in an unhealthy environment, they are more vulnerable to the taunting of evil because of their lack of wisdom on God’s truth. A person’s lack of family guidance can lead them down a long nefarious path of fear, anger, and resentment. Addictions are very strong and evil uses it to its strongest advantage, and without truth or hope, there is no breaking free of the strong grip these powerful addictions have on their individuals. The truth and power of the Holy Spirit is the only answer to breaking free of evil’s strong grip it has on our hearts and mind.
Interesting you would bring this up and make some of the comments you did. I have recently felt that God might want me to get involved with prison ministry. I in no way condone whatever people did to get put behind bars- they made some very poor choices. In many cases they caused immense suffering and loss to innocent people. But, when you learn about most of these people's backgrounds, there is often (though not always) some horrendous stories of very troubles lives, often from childhood. I have been wondering, how many of them have never had anyone just love them for who they are and not demand anything from them? Just someone to spend time with them and get to know them as people who Christ died for? I realize some of them have done some wicked things, but except for God's grace, I might be behind those bars for even worse things. This has led me to get the contact numbers just yesterday for some guys who do prison ministry in the local area. I'm going to look into what is involved and see what I might be able to do. I think it is so tempting as Christians to get more education, go to another bible study, hang out with our nice Christian friends or whatever other nice little things we do, but fail to try to reach out and make a difference in the lives of people right around us who don't have Christ. Just maybe God can use me to help someone NOT be part of the evening news for some future horrendous crime.
ReplyDeleteI find your connections to Wilson's book very intresting and completely on point. This story is a prime example of how people who themselves are hurting in whatever way they may be hurt others around them. Its sad to see that cycle because you would think that someone who has been through a traumatic or hurtful time wouldn't want someone else to have that pain inflicted on them, but sadly that's not the case. I think your post is a great insight into a modern and current example of Wilson's main idea.
ReplyDelete