I got in last week and thought I'd catch a bit of the Monday Night Football game and was treated to a cooing commentary over the antics and wonder of Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis. It was not so much that they did not censure Lewis, but rather it was that ABC was fairly obviously playing off of Lewis' notoriety to add "spice" to the coverage.

They gave him his own mic and we heard him "mouth off." We saw him dance to dubbed music with lyrics referring to how bad he is. They lauded his amazing skills and "attitude." He was the star. This is the same Lewis who was closely affiliated with the murder of a man beaten to death, who refused cooperation until forced and who has never shown one iota of remorse or compassion for the event or the victim's family.

We even had the treat of watching Ray "murder rap" Lewis using his experience to give advice to Jamal "five kilograms of cocaine" Lewis over Jamal's upcoming sentencing without one touch of irony. No doubt, ABC got it right. No one has said anything. America didn't care. America was titillated.

I thought about this lack of concern. I thought about the many Iraqis killed in the last six months with barely a commentary or emotion by the public at large — and you can show concern, whatever your view on the war — and I had to ask how we can expect any justice or concern for our wounds if we are so callous about others. I hear people ask, "Where was God on 9/11?" But I have to ask, why should God or any one care? Do we?

Anderson is a theology graduate student and instructor.

Click here to comment on this viewpoint on the Tribune Forum.