Jonah & The Killer Whale

Now should I not take pity on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are many more than one hundred twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left…?

Jonah 4:11

Is United States a modern-day Nineveh? If so, how many residents don’t know their right hand from their left?

Given recent events, one must query as to whether the United States is profoundly worse shape than the ancient city?

The United States’ morality crisis is rapidly becoming an “all hands” on deck matter. Immorality is abound and clarity must be asserted.

The modern-day Jonahs must speak out. Jonah was the prophet who chose to run away from his call. The biblical Jonah, if called to address the United States’ current problems, would face a remarkably different predicament; an audience who won’t understand the message.

This aberrant behavior includes two recent high-profile murders. While they beckon calls for stern condemnation, they have been met with much silence. Without strong voices speaking the truth, the normalization of irrational conduct is at stake.

These crimes go far deeper than the alleged perpetrators. Segments of the public have not only approved of the heinous acts, they have glorified them. Given the consequences, it is surprising that both religious and societal leaders have not stepped up to meet their challenge.

The Message

“Justice, justice shall you pursue” 

Deuteronomy 16:20

“No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

United States Constitution 14th Amendment.

In the United States, victims of criminal acts are afforded to complain to government authorities to seek redress. Charges may be brought. In those instances, the criminally accused are subjected to a justice system.

Within it, they have some protections. They have rights- like all other residents- which include the Constitution Right to Due Process.

Accordingly, no matter how terrible the crime, individuals are entitled to have the legal system determine their fate.

Vigilantism Run Amok

Taking the pursuit of justice in one’s hands is rarely a good idea. People engaging in vigilantism often can have a distorted perception of justice.

Those engaging in the process are removed from oversight, training, or consultation. As such, their actions can be irrational. Tragic results can happen.

In essence, vigilantism deprives the targets their opportunity to challenge the grievances brought against them.

The following examples demonstrate the vigilantism’s insanity.

Luigi Mangioni

Per the Huffington Post, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had been accused of misconduct. He faced accusations of insider trading. There was an ongoing Justice Department investigation. Also, he was subject to a civil class action suit.

The lawsuit concerned stockholders. It did not involve a consumer’s denial of health insurance or care under a plan.

In that instance, it was possible that the Justice Department could find evidence of abusive health insurance practices. It was possible that charges could be brought against him. The current reporting on the matter, however, does not indicate that this was the case.

Mr. Thompson was an individual who drew attention. According to his wife, Mr. Thompson had received threats. The threats’ motives, however, were not known.

Mr. Thompson’s life ended when he was assassinated. While in public, he was shot in the back of his head.

It is alleged that Mr. Luigi Mangioni murdered the CEO. Some people view Mangione as a cause celeb for addressing the issue of health care.

The murder’s motive is believed to be an act of grievance against health insurance practices. The police reported of finding ammunition with the words pertaining to an insurance company practice. “Delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on bullets.

From the facts, Mr. Mangione had no personal connection to Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson was not directly involved in Mr. Mangione’s medical care. Mr. Mangione, according to the accounts, received extensive medical care for his spinal condition which included surgery.

After being arrested, it is Mr. Luigi Mangione has taken full advantage of the justice system. This is the same system that Mr. Thompson was deprived access via his murder. Mangione has not only lawyered up. He has crowdfunded substantial sums to mount a vigorous defense. Arguably, a number of people donating to him support notion of the heinous act of vigilante murder.

Rodney Hinton, Jr.

Rodney Hinton, Jr.’s son was fatally wounded by police officers. According to the allegations, his son was in a stolen car with other individuals. They fled the vehicle and officers pursued them on foot. One officer called out that Mr. Hinton’s son had a gun. He fired and killed the son. This occurred on May 1, 2025.

The next day, Mr. Hinton went to the police station to view the police body camera footage. According to reports, after leaving the station, “[he] traveled across the two lanes of oncoming traffic and crashed directly into [Deputy] Henderson, killing him…”

While this happened, his family was still watching him from the other vehicle [that had been following him.]” http://www.wcpo.com

Mr. Hinton, Jr. killed a former Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy, Larry Henderson. The officer was doing traffic duty and had no involvement whatsoever with police stop which resulted in Hinton, Jr. ‘s son’s fatality.

It was reported on the Deputy’s fatality that “[i]t’s a clear view, straight as an arrow,” said Pillich. “He never veers off course, he never slows down.” http://www.wcpo.com

Transparency was clearly present in this matter. The family of the deceased was invited to the police department to view the video evidence concerning the shooting.

With respect to the shooting, there were opportunities to request a criminal investigation into the officer who shot his son. Further, there was the opportunity to file a civil lawsuit. While the loss admittedly was a tragedy, there were societal means of redress.

In this matter, individuals have rallied around Mr. Hinton’s heinous act. They offered financial support. A crowdfunding measure raised him $5,000.00. The fund raising, however, was shut down after Mr. Jay McDonald, President of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, expressed outrage.

Where were the other community leaders offering upset? If not shut down, how much money would it have raised?

The Profound Disconnect

The United States prides itself with a tradition and a constitution of giving rights to accused. Therefore, it is astonishing that these two acts have not stoked outrage from both religious leaders and politicians.

Both men decided to take the lives of someone they did not personally know. Both men have segments of the society that apparently approve of the vigilantism. Both victims did not have any outstanding act of wrongdoing against their alleged killer.

Again, Mr. Thompson, according to reports was never charged with criminally impacting any individual’s health insurance coverage.

With Deputy Henderson, no allegations have reported that he had engaged in wrongdoing against Mr. Hinton or his family.

In essence, two people lost their lives due to two unhinged individuals. While both Mangione and Mangione likely suffered anguish relating to their situations, there was absolutely no justification for either act.

There should be no “free pass” for having a bad day or bad life in either circumstance. Essentially, there is nothing whatsoever morally redeemable in either act. There is no right or left. There was only dead wrong.

Jonah

The Jonah of antiquity was one who appreciated that his prophetic message would be well received. While many of the Nineveh residents may have been simple or unsophisticated individuals, they respected the Prophet’s words. They acted with conviction to save their lives and their city. Jonah feared a positive result. He feared success.

A Jonah in modernity, however, would be full of doubt. He would view the failure of universal societal condemnation of outrageous actions as disturbing. He would be fear that his prophetic message would not be received. If thrown into the sea, he may prefer to have a Killer Whale determine his fate.

Be well!!

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