Edmund Burke, a well-known Irish philosopher and
political figure of his time (1729 to 1797) is quoted as saying, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph
is for good men (and women) to do nothing." Well, I believe we are
witnessing the absolute relevance of his statement in these trying times in our
country's life.
Neil Postman in his book, "Amusing Ourselves to
Death" (1985) said this, referring to George Orwell's famous book,
"1984":
“We were keeping our eye on 1984. When the year came
and the prophecy didn't, thoughtful Americans sang softly in praise of
themselves. The roots of liberal democracy had held. Wherever else the terror
had happened, we, at least, had not been visited by Orwellian nightmares.
But we had forgotten that alongside Orwell's dark
vision, there was another - slightly older, slightly less well known, equally
chilling: Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Contrary to common belief even among
the educated, Huxley and Orwell did not prophesy the same thing. Orwell warns
that we will be overcome by an externally imposed oppression. But in Huxley's
vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy,
maturity and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression,
to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.
What Orwell feared were those who would ban books.
What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there
would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive
us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would
be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be
concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of
irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we
would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the
feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy. As Huxley remarked in
Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever
on the alert to oppose tyranny "failed to take into account man's almost
infinite appetite for distractions". In 1984, Huxley added, people are
controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by
inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us.
Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us."
Wow! Where are we now in 2012?
More people know the names of the current "American
Idol" (interesting theological name, isn't it?) than know who their
current senators, congressional representatives, governors and vice presidents
are! Many know all the words to the
latest rap song but have no idea of the words to of The Lord's Prayer or our
National Anthem. We want bigger and
better. We want prettier and more comfortable. We want fun and good times! We pursue the trivial and have no patience for
the important. Are we actually
"being drowned in a sea of irrelevance"?
Many of us are so concerned with "keeping our
heads above water" that we really do not spend much time thinking about
larger issues, except to complain about the "sad state of affairs" in
the world! Can you blame us?
"The only
thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing."
Our Friday Morning Men's Group is studying The Whole in
Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, the CEO of World Vision, which is a great
Christian evangelical relief organization.
We just finished a telling and disturbing chapter
dealing with the tithe. (I know… here we go again, these people in
"pro" religion talking about money!) Only five percent of American households
tithe. Nine percent of people who identify themselves as "born again"
Christians those who claim to have made a personal commitment to Christ) tithe.
For "evangelical Christians", those who claim their faith has the
greatest influence on their life and conduct, still only twenty-four percent of
them tithe.
"The only
thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing
(or very little) (my addition)."
Jerry Sandusky happens, Aurora, Colorado happens, the
Catholic Church abuse scandal happens. Teen sexting (Google it if you don't
know) happens. Abortions happen. The list seems endless.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men (and
women) to do nothing."
Well, you say, so what can good men and women do? For
starters:
"If my
people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their
sin and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)
What is my calling? What am I to do, personally? Frederick Buechner says, "Calling
is where your deep gladness and the world's great need meets."
Pray and ask God to show you one thing that you
personally can do to make a difference.
He will show you your calling, equip you, and give you
a peace that passes all human understanding.
We can make a difference…one person, one small step at
a time. However, we must take that first step, as good men and women, and not
do nothing (I know, 10 points off for poor grammar!) We must not "become
trapped in passivity and egoism," as Huxley says.
What brought about the rant you are reading?
I am so frustrated, but not surprised by the fact that
when the CEO of Chic-Fil-A is vilified in
the press and by mayors of major American cities because he dared first voice
his personal opinion on a Christian radio program about his view of traditional
marriage as being between and man and a woman. He has since stated that that is
the belief of their privately held family corporation. I have called on my
friends and family via e-mail and Facebook to support this company's right of free
speech by patronizing their fine restaurants and doing so myself. I know, it is
a tiny step, but it is better than nothing.