Why there is riot, mayhem and looting.

Lies, myths, half truths, distorted "fact", theories without evidence, positioning, inflammatory rhetoric, manipulation, misinformation, victimization, social realities of inequality all drive this. Knowing how to keep your balance in a storm of deception is more than most people can take.

I am impressed of the word of God regarding these things:

Ephesians 4:13b "united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. 14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head".

Then it tells us what the result of being tossed around by myths and half truths is:

Eph 4:17 "I tell you and encourage you .. not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. 18They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. 19Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more".

There is a positive result of walking this back:

Eph 4:25 " get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body. 26Be angry without sinning. Don't go to bed angry. 27Don't give the devil any opportunity [to work]. 28Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they'll have something to share with those in need. 29Don't say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30Don't give God's Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free [from the world of sin]. 31Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred."

IF the clergy in MO were doing their job well they would be telling the truth and not paving the way for lies. This is the truth. Yet what we see manifesting is exactly the opposite. Show me the manifestation of a culture I will show you what their theology is... and this is a failure.

More important if those leaders called and ordained of God in the culture, in the community, with a platform would dispel the myths, get rid of the lies, deal in this passage and get away from blaming, we might have a chance of avoiding greater catastrophe. I have doubts that much boldness and courage is left. I can hope.