Lessons of History

Last week (April 20) it was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was also International Cannabis Day, in case you wanted to forget about the Holocaust. Truly an irony of comparison apt to today's World. The hard, violent, angry reality and the self induced fog of passive forgetfulness.

Change is not easy, and is sometimes violent. In fact, if we look at the major changes for good that have happened in our country, few were without violence. The Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the violence to fight for better working conditions in the early 20th century, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam protests, and on, and on. Violence is part of what started this great country, and part of what has kept this great country safe and free. So for all you "peace-nicks" out there that say violence solves nothing, History is not on your side.

This goes for the World at large, whose History is nothing, if not violent and full of death and atrocities. Progress for humanity has been slow and riddled with death and violence. Yes, it seems we do not learn from History, and we continue to keep killing ourselves. There is a common thread to why we have been killing each other for centuries. Religion, and our dispute over its deity, meaning, practices, and laws have been the cause of countless death and wars.

By sheer elimination of the opposition, wars have defined which path humanity would walk. Victors decide the fate of humans and how they will be ruled. This lesson is not lost on those who think their way is the correct way, and therefore should be the path for all, even if it has to be forced on all.

People are basically followers and want to be led. That is the opportunity for those with an ego, to step in and lead people down their path. The abuses of leaders through the centuries is infamous. If people can rise above the fear of confronting power, they will revolt. The most famous revolt (judged by its outcome) in History, is the American colonists revolt and declaration of independence against the king of England.

We still have not learned our lesson from History. Oh sure, the leaders are different, the thugs are different, the criminals are different; but the themes of violence, death, war, egotistical rulers, oppression, and religious differences continue to repeat themselves.

Is it more barbaric to cut a few thousand heads off with a sword, or nuke a few hundred thousand people in an instant. That debate is senseless. We are still killing each other by the millions. Is death less sad if it is done in the name of good, instead of evil.? No. But good must be victorious over evil if we are to improve the human condition.

Over the centuries, we have improved the human condition. Yet, given our current condition, I see no reason to praise the efforts of mankind. If you want to compare us to our distant, barbaric relatives, fine, but our duty is to today and the future.

It's easy to understand why people escape to the drug induced world of "be happy." I don't believe in utopia. I don't believe in political messiahs. I don't believe in a man who could lead millions, and still be an honest man. Even the 2nd coming of Christ predicts a thousand years of war and death. I don't believe the World will be saved from itself. I believe the World will end. Humanity will kill it one way or another.

What can we learn from God, if he has pre-ordained that we will die by his hand, in another, but Holy Holocaust?