But I'm going to resume writing. I feel strongly that the purpose of my existence on this rock just might be so that I can convey to others the things I learn, and if it's not too presumptuous to say, the things God shows me.
I wrote the following half a year ago, but never published it until now. I was trying to convey that there is sometimes a very small distance between good and healthy goals and values, and warped, oppressive and sick values. Many times good people end up doing grievous harm, and find themselves 'on the wrong side' because lofty ideals were persued by any means possible. But the ends never justify the means. The idea of values should regulate the process as much as it states the goal. Charles Colson writes in his book Kingdoms in Conflict,
"A side effect of this delusion is that rather than lose their access to political influence, some church leaders have surrendered their independence...While such rationalizing is understandable, the result is exactly the opposite; they keep their place but lose their voice and thus any possibility of holding government to moral account." (p. 479)
In the book Seduced by Hitler the attempts by the Jewish Council (Judenrat) to negotiate with the Nazis to protect the Jewish people is discussed.
"But as the trains kept rolling to the death camps, the Judenrate's authority slipped away. In the end...the Judenrate's initial compromises with the Nazis became collaboration. The Judenrat became known as the Judenverrat, the "betrayal of the Jews." (p. 282)Let me tell you what we humans are really good at, where we excel. We kill and eat a cow or a pig, we feed on the best of peaches, pears, and other produce, and in the process of processing and digesting these beautiful things God has given us, we destroy them. What goes in is near perfect, but what comes out is revolting to the extent that you want it as far from you as possible, right? That's the system, that's how we live. So is it that surprising that we can take the best of intentions and the best of the human spirit and turn it into the macabre?
So let me say it again, the ends never justify the means. The idea of values should regulate the process as much as it states the goal.
Here are some examples of the wholesome and healthy vs. the despicable, the reprehensible.
1. Love. Supportive and giving vs. demanding or taking.
Desiring someone else's success and happiness vs. the 'love' of an obsessed stalker, trying to
manipulate the victim into loving back.
Do the ends justify the means, ever?
2. Knowlege. Scientific discovery, vs. product development and marketing.
Discoveries to benefit mankind vs. discoveries to benefit individuals or corporations.
One is constructive and liberating, the other is greedy, manipulative.
Do the ends justify the means, ever?
3. Faith. True faith vs. blind faith and religion.
Opening and nurturing a relationship with your creator, vs. trying to manipulate God or
others.
Do the ends justify the means, ever?
4. Ideals. Resolution of purpose vs. fanaticism. Ethics vs. a 'cause'.
One is guiding oneself, while the other is trying to manipulate others.
Do the ends justify the means, ever?
5. Patriotism. Striving to better our country vs. the pride of nationalism, thinking that your country is better than others. Can we not be proud, yet still love our country?
Those who yell the loudest about patriotism and pride, is their motivation personal or is it to
manipulate, even if it's with the best of intentions?
Do the ends justify the means, ever?
We are living in a confused time. There are some who would like to legislate morality, but it seems like to me the morality they want to legislate isn't for personal responsibility or anyone's edification or growth. The morality that is pushed is more geared towards control. Manipulate by politics and law in order to control the masses. Not even remotely can this be considered a good thing.
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