Ordinary Heroes (Smackdown or love-in?)
Dear Chris
Well, we slouch onto theological ground as soon as you bring up the Fall and the sinful nature of man (and some women too). While we agree that disobedience is certainly deep in our nature, the Jewish and Christian traditions are different here.
When Adam and Eve eat the fruit (it doesn’t specify apple), they immediately become ashamed and try to hide from G-d, who calls out, “Where are you?” The Jewish position has pretty much been (No Jewish position is ever agreed upon 100%) that this question could not have come from G-d not knowing. I mean, what kind of all knowing G-d can’t find two naked people hiding in the bushes? The question was meant to call for a response from Adam and Eve. In other words, we should ask ourselves where we are, what we’re doing and if this is really the best we can do.
The normative Christian position is different. The Fall is a theological event and a mark of alienation between G-d and sinner. In the words of that great old song from Paint Your Wagon, “Now I’m lost, so guldurn lost, not even G-d can find me.”
Of course, Christianity in general and Roman Catholicism are not completely against the idea of the Fall. Some Catholic theologians call it “The Blessed Fall,” believing that it is in our acquisition of the ability to tell good from evil we become human and full moral agents. This moral agency is what separates us from animals who act only according to instinct.
The politics of the “nature of humanity” are also pretty interesting, complex and to me seemingly contradictory. In general liberals believe in the essential goodness of people but want to build compensatory systems of governance to make sure we act that way. Conservatives, conversely, tend to believe in the fallen and flawed nature of humanity. They however, instead of building systems to manage our greed, trust in freedom and the market. I don’t know Chris, but it seems to me that logically liberals ought to be pro-laissez faire and conservatives should be regulating the hell out of us. (Regulating the hell, literally).
You are right, that large numbers of people act as a damper on thoughtful responses. Mobs can do good or great evil; they can intervene or turn away. We do tend to follow leaders. Too often we remain silent in the face of injustice. We also too often panic and act out of our fears instead of our hopes. Maybe the noise a big groups makes it harder to hear our better angels.
Righteous Gentiles hid members of my wife’s family during the war. Some were Catholics in Poland and France and some Protestant. When asked later why they risked their lives and the lives of their families, they responded in two ways (which may really be one way): “We did it because it was what we thought Jesus wanted of us.” And, “It was never a question. It was the right thing to do.”
In the end, politics and theology aside, I’m with Anne Frank and believe that most people are essentially good at heart. Yes, I know her optimism didn’t save her, but it can save us from cynicism and despair.
Cheers!
Jonathan
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