I grew up in the 1950's and ’60's, when acts of violence in rural America were a rarity. But violence is only a symptom of a much deeper-rooted problem: for decades, our country has been in a state of extreme moral decay.

Over the years much as been done to secure the safety of our communities. Yet, metal detectors, security cameras and security officers in schools or businesses offer little protection against one determined to commit a heinous act. Neither do they serve as a deterrent in our communities to those filled with hate and evil intent. We've put a Band Aid on the problem rather than treat the underlying illness behind the carnage of our people.

We have become a nation of self-centered, ego-driven, rude, arrogant, self-righteous people who have lost all regard for our fellow Americans. We are a nation where power, greed and ego take precedence over decency, compassion and kindness. We have turned away from our religious roots and chosen to live life on our own terms. Some find God offensive—His Commandments obsolete and irrelevant in a modern-day world. "Love your God; love your neighbor as yourself; do not kill." Totally archaic.

We continually violate His laws and are shocked when horrific events occur. That's akin to exceeding the speed limit, then being surprised when issued a citation. Laws are created for a reason and God's Laws are absolute.

We have filled our hearts with hatred. We glorify anger, violence, and the suffering of others as entertainment. We judge those who are different, we label those struggling with personal demons, and we deem those who don't meet our standards of excellence as inferior. We seek revenge on those who offend us and have become oblivious and indifferent to the suffering we cause others.

We do what we want, when we want, however we want. If others don't like it, too bad. That's not our problem. Our rights, feelings, and needs override that of others. People must earn our respect and even then, we choose who receives this honor.

We have devalued human life, and therein lies the root of evil in this world. We are all God's sacred children, scarred and struggling, but no less precious in His eyes. Who among us was given authority to redefine another's worth?

We don't need to fear the "fiscal cliff". We plunged off the "spiritual cliff" decades ago. It is not our government's responsibility to fix what is broken within each of us. Each individual must commit to resuming a life of high moral integrity.

The keys to preventing more hatred and bloodshed in this country are a return to the moral and spiritual dictates of God, to live lives of compassion, kindness, acceptance, inclusion, generosity, forgiveness, and love; to be a reflection of God's presence in this world and treat all His children with the same dignity and tender care He does. Only when love for all becomes the standard measure of a life well lived will we defeat the darkness of hatred, destruction, and evil.

We are to be healers to one another. With the grace and guidance of God, we can achieve this goal. Let THIS be the new American dream. Return to your houses of worship. Read and live the words of the Bible. Raise your children in the ways of the Lord. And be examples of kindness and love for others to follow.

God gave His only Son so that we may have life. Let His sacrificial gift inspire us to truly learn how to love each other.

~ By Janet Pfeiffer