FORMS OF FILICIDE

From My Perspective - - -

To indicate that our nation is living in changing and strange times is an understatement. What is occurring is something more than just a mere transition. If our nation shifts from being Capitalist to Socialist – that is a major revamping of the very foundations upon which we were founded. Additionally, if we somehow lose our moral compass and conscience as a nation, we will become directionless and susceptible to new behaviors that are borne out of a personal rationale that has freed itself from either ethical or moral values and standards. We are beginning to see sad evidences and consequences of these behaviors.

Last month (February 12), we were confronted and shocked by the headline that read: “Bridges TV Founder Charged with Wife’s Beheading”! This did not occur in some other country where beheading is a so-called “religious practice.” This occurred in Buffalo, NY at a radio station. Sadly, it leaves two children aged four and six deprived of their Mother and separated from their imprisoned Father. Also, we read and hear all too frequently about missing children and their subsequent deaths. A lurking question pertains to whether or not “filicide” lurks in the psyche of a growing number of people within our culture.

FILICIDE is not historically new. It is the deliberate act of a parent killing his or her own son or daughter. The word filicide derives from the Latin word “filius” meaning "son". In some cultures, killing a daughter who is deemed to have disgraced the family is a common occurrence (see honor killing). A 1999 US Department of Justice Study concluded that between 1976 and 1997 in the United States, mothers were responsible for a higher share of children killed during infancy while fathers were more likely to have been responsible for the murders of children age 8 or older. Furthermore, 52% of the children killed by their mothers were male (maternal filicide), while 57% of the children killed by their fathers were male (paternal filicide).Sometimes there is a combination of murder and suicide in filicide cases. There are some historical examples of Filicide:

• Ptolemy XII of Egypt had his daughter Berenice IV and her husband beheaded in 55 BC. This was after she had dethroned him and poisoned her sister, Cleopatra VI.
• Ivan IV of Russia (Ivan the Terrible) killed his son and heir to the throne in a fit of rage.
• Peter the Great of Russia had his son tortured to death, being present at several of the torture sessions and allegedly participating in some of them.
• Josef and Magda Goebbels poisoned their six children, in order to protect them from the invading Soviet Army, before committing suicide.
• Motown singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father on April 1, 1984.
• Professional wrestler Chris Benoit killed his seven year old son Daniel, along with his wife and himself, on June 23, 2007.

We also forget the example of Forms of Filicide in the Bible – (a) Cain killing his brother Abel; (b) the sacrificing of children to Molech in the fire (Leviticus 20:1-5). The force of the Lord’s intent is summarized in Leviticus 18:21, “Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.”

Consider these things with me - - - It is obvious that we need to return to our moral base and core values. In the midst of changing and difficult times, the compassionate Lord’s invitation remains as the clarion call to the troubled in heart, or soul, or mind – Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened - I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” REST for your soul! These words resonate for the confused, disenfranchised, uncertain, directionless, weary and oppressed. Just COME! Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near! Just COME! Implement Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message): “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track.” You’ll be glad you came to Him!