Christian Hypocrisy Exposed: Outrage Over School Shooting Ignores Bigger Picture on Gun Violence
Another school shooting has rocked the nation, this time at Madison’s Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin. With reports of multiple fatalities, including young children, the heartbreak is immeasurable. As details emerge, the reaction on social media has been swift, intense, and—for some—predictably partisan.
For many Christians, this tragedy hits at the heart of a deeply held fear: that their faith is under attack. X user SirStevenKJ declared, “Another school shooting aimed at Christian students... Christians are the most persecuted religious members in the world.” The sentiment was echoed by Suzlaw, who lashed out at the media, writing, “Anti-Christian hate MUST STOP. Thank u leftist media for brainwashing mentally ill people into murdering Christians... God sees you, his judgment will be swift.”
These posts, while emotional and understandable in the wake of such a horrific event, highlight a disturbing pattern in the aftermath of tragedies: outrage becomes a tool for certain groups to play the victim rather than a catalyst for meaningful change.
A Selective Outrage
In moments like these, the double standards become glaring. When non-Christian communities suffer similar horrors—such as attacks on synagogues, mosques, or secular institutions—the outcry from some Christian conservatives is often subdued. Worse, it’s accompanied by calls to avoid politicizing the tragedy, dismissing discussions about gun reform or the cultural factors that fuel violence.
Yet when violence strikes Christian communities, the narrative quickly shifts to cries of persecution. Lisa Thelander wrote, “Christians are going to have to protect their children no matter how right-wing it makes them. They must care more about their children than appearing tolerant of wickedness.”
This instinct to frame Christianity as under siege, while rejecting broader conversations about systemic issues, fuels division instead of healing. Christianity is not the only religion that values its children. Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and non-religious parents love their kids just as much, and they grieve just as deeply when violence rips through their communities. Framing these tragedies as uniquely Christian ignores a simple, universal truth: we’re all in this together.
The Real Enemy Is Inaction
At its core, this isn’t just a “Christian issue” or a “leftist media” problem. It’s an American problem. Children are dying in schools—Christian, public, or otherwise—because of the rampant inaction on gun violence and mental health. Blaming the media or an entire political ideology does nothing to protect kids.
User WoodyTheChipper’s post summed up a frustrating reality: “Christians, you’re under attack. Clearly. Obviously. Please, PLEASE start acting like it!!!!!” But the way forward shouldn’t just involve Christians looking inward and “acting” like they’re under attack. It should involve all of us—across religions and political divides—working to prevent more tragedies.
Where Do We Go From Here?
We need to stop using moments of unspeakable grief to point fingers and start addressing the root causes of this crisis. Mental health, access to firearms, and a culture that glorifies violence are not partisan issues. Yet, time and time again, these conversations are stifled by the same voices that cry foul when they’re the ones impacted.
Every religion, every parent, and every child deserves to live without fear of violence. Until we stop siloing ourselves into “us versus them,” the cycle will continue, and more innocent lives will be lost. Abundant Life Christian School is the latest tragedy—but let it be the last one where we argue about blame instead of acting for change.
