Colton Harris-Moore

       The first time I heard the name "Colton Harris-Moore," otherwise known as "The Barefoot Bandit," was a few days ago when my wife showed me an article written about him in People magazine.  Let me just give you an idea of who this kid is:  He is 19 years old and is currently a wanted criminal.  He is wanted for "stealing and crash-landing four small planes, hot-wiring boats, breaking into vacation homes, and eluding manhunts by slipping into the woods," not to mention he is also "a suspect in some 100 crimes" (People, June 2010, p. 135-6).  He received the nickname, "Barefoot Bandit," since he deliberately leaves his footprints at crime scenes.  Unfortunately, he has become very popular with many people.  As a result, people have put his face on mugs, t-shirts, created 2 Facebook fan pages (one with over 40,300 fans), a general website fan page, and some are even in the process of writing a book and a movie about him.  Now, as interesting as he may be, Colton is a criminal, an outlaw, but he has become ridiculously popular and even idolized.  In fact, one of his Facebook fans said, "Keep flying man!  You are a true American hero!" (Ibid).  As I looked at his fan-page today, there were several other comments from people saying how they liked him and approved of his actions.
       I have to admit that Colton's story is colorful and interesting.  For example, he has stolen, flown, and crash-landed four planes without any piloting experience.  However, what he is doing is wrong and sinful.  I was extremely shocked that so many people support him, defend him, and admire him like a hero.  Why is it that our culture seems so supportive of sinful behavior sometimes? I fear our culture may be heading more and more towards the people in Jeremiah 8:12 who "did not know how to blush."  Our culture is becoming so comfortable, and even supportive, with crime and sin that it no longer is embarrassed by it.
       Colton is not "a true American hero" and his behavior is anything but "heroic." May we never become comfortable and support sinful behavior, especially if it is sin in our own lives.  Let's abide by the words found in Romans 12:9, "Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."

 

Brett Petrillo