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This story is indeed sad. It would be really terrific if it were possible to have a real "magic bullet" that would cure anti-social behavior in any person who committed a criminal act. Sadly, NO proposed solution ever tried has come close to the efficiency we might wish for.

This poor guy will have a tough life ahead of him, most likely. It would be nice if he really could turn it around, and I would cheer him along if he did start making the choices in life that would correct his path. But the chances that he will do that appear very slim indeed. :(

I don’t know all the details of this story, but I suspect it has something to do with being in the wrong environment – which means is our society generally nowadays. The temptations are legion and their facilitators as well. I think our entire criminal justice system needs a major overhaul. Although I know there are many who will disagree with me, I must say that Abraham’s solution is Biblical mentoring/discipling, assuming he has been born anew by the Spirit.

Crime in our society, especially with our jails and prisons the way they are, is a downward spiral. There are some very good prison ministries; some not so good. But at least it’s the right direction. After all, Jesus was in the business of redeeming criminals, prostitutes, tax collectors, and adulterers – as well as “nice” people. It was the religious elites and hypocrites that seemed most resistant to his message. He said, “I have come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Paul informs us that the Gospel is the POWER of God for the purpose of saving people.

The answer to all human dilemmas is spiritual in nature. It’s in the spiritual man that one’s basic orientation is formed. From there it is a matter of teaching-discipleship, accountability, and being in an environment of positive Christian modeling. However, the person in question needs to be at least willing to change, if not eager to do so.

This case also shows just how important it is to teach and guide young people from the cradle on in the ways of God. Once sinful and negative habits are ingrained, it’s like pulling eye teeth to alter them. They appear cured and rehabbed, but if the change isn’t thorough and internal, the possibility of recidivism is great – especially in a negative environment.
We have dug ourselves into deep deep hole as a society – all because we have abandoned the powerful Gospel/Word that saves, rehabilitates and produces positive and fruitful lives. “I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind, but now I see.”

Nikos, I agree that the basic attitude of any person is deeply affected by the early, formative years of childhood. Now, whether a "Godly" upbringing is the key, I seriously doubt, as I know many fine, caring people who were brought up with no mention of gods or visits to church in the mix at all.

Conversely, I know a few folks who were raised in deeply spiritual homes who didn't manage to catch onto the lessons they were taught and ended up living most of their lives in prison.

I think that on the subject of being willing to change one's direction in life, you are correct. Change will never be imposed on any person by outside forces. The decision ultimately rests with the individual. He must see that change is to his long-term advantage. And changing to conform at least to most of society's norms is very much in anyone's long-term best interest. But perhaps that is the basic problem: too many people are not much interested in long-term solutions to problems that threaten them today.

I think what bothered me about this story was the lack of mention of the victim this kid killed in cold blood. We read of people cheering on the murderer and supporting him - and apparently somebody even took him to The Pimp Store to buy him that gangsta-suit he's wearing in the photo.

Did anybody support and cheer on the family of his murder victim? We don't know because the DFP chose not to make that person's life anything but a bump in the road in the young and blossoming life of the wonderful Mr. Abraham.

You have a very good point, Alice. We have become so offender-oriented that we often overlook the victim. I suppose it is partially because the victim is gone and out-of-sight, as it were; whereas the youthful offender has at least a chance of a reformed life. Being focused on the victim automatically brings to mind how we should make the perpetrator pay. Presumably he has already paid the due the court prescribed – for what that’s worth.

Now, the folks involved here are wondering why Eliza didn’t respond, as expected, to their comprehensive reforming efforts. She looked great on the surface – spoke right, acted right – but, deep down, the unseemly cockney nature waits to rear its ugly head. Somehow the Pygmalion complex is fascinating to those in the business of changing other folks.

I think we agree, Namtac, despite our differences, that change is an inner thing, which really cannot be imposed from without. This is precisely the approach of Jesus and the writers of the NT. The Gospel is the “power of God’ that changes the orientation of the inner man, to seek the good and righteous will of God, to be loving and kind, and to be a blessing to society. Trying to speak of godly things to those who hate God and are hardened in their sin is pictured as casting pearls before swine. It is the sin nature that impels one to descend into the quagmire of antisocial practices. Jesus’ purpose in coming was to totally identify with us, and to take remedy the real problem of humanity – sin.

I appreciated what you had to say, Namtac, regarding who makes it in life. As we have noted before, there are innumerable variables which seem to affect outcomes. And again, I assert that families, Christian or non-, can be strong on communicating values and positive traditions, which are key to success in life. But again, I assert that those values are all taught and enjoined in the Scriptures: love, respect, responsibility, diligence, avoidance of harmful people and practices, etc. These things have been ingrained in our culture through the Church and other positive traditions, but it is all the same Truth, whether initiated by the church or synagogue – or through the common sense of secular traditions. All truth is God’s Truth. It’s just that it is codified, completed, and focused by the Law and Word – and enhanced by the grace and transforming power of the Gospel.

I too, Namtac, have seen what I thought was a Christian home produce some surprisingly dysfunctional kids; and kids I thought were doomed to crime and suffering do very well. I have also seen that children from SOLID and healthy Christian families, overall, do better than kids from dysfunctional homes. There is ALWAYS some degree of negativity and shortfall in any home. But kids that are loved and taught well are very resilient, and clear most hurdles.

But the issue is not just survival, but knowing the joy and fulfillment of spiritual life, that can only be derived from knowing the Creator and benefiting from the truth-principles revealed in His Word – which are designed to bless people in every way. Many an errant youth or adult has been turned around big time and lived a very fruitful life after being redeemed by Christ.

I emphasize that we are seeing so much whacked-out behavior and terrible crimes, academic failure, pregnancies, abortions, ad nauseam because we have not done our “home-work” and the real chickens are now coming home to roost. The only hope is the Gospel and the Word.