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The Murder of Laci Peterson

Why did the story of the murder of Laci Peterson catch the nation’s interest a decade ago? I think it had to do with the fact that they were nice looking, white, middle class, educated people and there is a sense that murder only really happens where there is political chaos or poverty or in communities where there are gangs or drug trafficking. This kind of thing isn’t supposed to happen to “normal people” (again think race, class, etc.).

When we hear of a murder on TV we instinctively and unconsciously look for a reason why we are safe from being either the perpetrator or the victim. It was because of this person’s race, a mental disorder, a poor family, born to a difficult circumstance, etc.

Tim Keller in his book on Suffering notes that we do this for all sorts of sufferings we see around us.

When we hear of a tragedy , there is a deep-seated psychological defense mechanism that goes to work. We think to ourselves that such things happen to other people , to poor people, or to people who do not take precautions. Or we tell ourselves that if only we get the right people into office and get our social systems right, nothing like this will happen again.

Keller, Timothy (2013-10-01). Walking with God through Pain and Suffering (p. 2). Penguin Group US. Kindle Edition.

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