questions not even a Reverend understands....

I was having a discussion with my 18 year old son last night. He asked some questions that I don't even have answers for, which frustrates me. I would love to say it is so cut and dried, but reality isn't always that way. This is what he asked:

"Why are you a good person in a world in which crime and jackassery pay? Why do you do the right thing even when it doesn't benefit you? Why are you good when evil is fun? Why?"

I have to admit that even my husband has asked these very questions. If anyone watches the news, all there is lately is bad news: wars, factions, big corporations taking monopolistic advantage of everyone else (supply vs. demand). What gets to me is the news about how adults prey on children. In north Minneapolis two nights ago, two children under the age of 13 were riding their bikes when a drive by shooter shot at them both. One died. In Rochester, MN a man held kids at gunpoint in a schoolyard. Eventually he let them go, but you know the memory of that incident will haunt them for a long time to come.

When I posted this question to friends, one gave this response:

"Oh so many reasons. Some not so praiseworthy. Like to get approval and--mistaken thinking--love. Also I hate the feeling of adrenalin. And I know the sensation of enjoying being bad. Somewhere we acquire a system of values and the best living is when we are in tune with them. For some the value is being more clever than the law."

And I do agree with this answer. It encompasses pretty much everything we know about good vs. evil.  Did you read the recent blog about the turtle? As I said, goodness towards others extends to even nature. If you are willing to dive into traffic to save a turtle, chances are very good that you feel that same way about your fellow human. 

When does "evil" begin is another question I have heard. A better way to put it is, at what point does one become so numb that nothing bothers them? For many, it starts very young. When one lives in a neighborhood where all they see is crime, when gunshots are as common as a car horn, when hunger is a motivation to steal and when to get high from drugs or alcohol deadens the pain, that is where it begins. But then again, think it this way, too: when one's life becomes the focal point above all else, when job and money and self take over common sense, then isn't that just as bad? When we stop caring about hunger across town, making certain that at least if WE have what is needed, then who cares about the rest, doesn't that also bring a feeling of numbness? I wonder how many folks who heard about the Minneapolis shootings figured, "it's just that way in that part of town!" and go about their lives.

The ripple effect: two kids, who could have held the secret to curing cancer, or stopping war, or come up with a solution to save energy and oil...the potential WAS there, and is no longer. 

This isn't a solution, but it is something I think we all need to do: when you see or hear the news headlines, stop for a moment and FEEL. FEEL that parent who just lost their child, FEEL the hunger when you hear about famine, FEEL the pain of torment when you hear about gangs, FEEL every emotion you can, then ask God for help in what  you can do to assuage it in some way. Talk to your children, that yes, bad things do happen, and ask them "what can we do about that?" You may be surprised at their answers! Then, act on your feelings.

We should not go through life "Comfortably Numb," in the words of a Pink Floyd song. For when we tune out the pain, it increases so much that it becomes out of control.