EDITOR:

The recent gang rape of a 15 year old girl for over two hours on school property during a school event in California this past weekend resulted in the arrest of five teens, and likely will result in more arrests. It is believed that dozens of other teens witnessed the two hour gang rape and beating, and some even took photos with their cell phones, but they did not report it or try to stop it. The girl was later found badly beaten and semi-conscious.

Neil Smelser, a professor emeritus of sociology at the University of California-Berkeley, said Tuesday that the incident could be categorized as "bystander indifference."

"The questions become, 'Why didn't they do something moral to stop an immoral situation? Why didn't they behave morally by calling the police, telling school officials?'" said Smelser, who has written extensively on collective behavior.

"It's very likely that they didn't have any emotional or social ties to the victim," Smelser continued. "If they had any linkage to her, then maybe we'd have a different outcome."

This is a sad commentary on how society has changed into a godless and self-centered place where even children have no conscience when confronted with the most reprehensible and vile behavior. All people should sense an "emotional and social tie" to the victim because, as fellow human beings, we were all created in God's image. We have "linkage" to her and to all humans because of our shared humanity. Normal empathy should allow each one of us to relate to the victim as "one of us." The fact that many don't see or acknowledge it is cause for grave concern. Only a sociopath or a self-centered person blinded by narcissism could de-humanize others like this. Yet that is what is increasingly happening in our society. We must always remember that life is too short to live it selfishly, to promote oneself for either power or profit or pleasure at the expense of what is true and right.

As Christians, we are called to be "Christ-centered" rather than self-centered, and to be actively engaged in our communities. As Christians, we will receive our fulfillment and satisfaction in Christ instead of from what we can attain selfishly. Then we will see others as God sees them rather than as objects for our manipulation or exploitation.

Will that assure our acceptance? Not at all. But it will give us peace with God.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God;

It never was between you and them anyway.

Our narcissistic society is self-centered at all costs, but we are called to be Christ-centered. And there will always be a cost. But the alternative is reprehensible and unthinkable.

James D. Langteau

Menominee