The news around here is filled with the gang shooting in Texas. Two opposing gangs fought, killing many on each side. Ugly stuff is happening all around our nation and the world. Is it a symptom of civilization regression?
It has been said that Rome fell because of a loss of civilization. In the days of the “old west” stories are told of the Native Americans fighting each other, taking prestige and power by touching and killing a member of another tribe. In the days of old Europe, it wasn’t much different, men gained power and importance by the numbers of their enemies they managed to injure or destroy.
Early civilizations were destroyed as they forgot how to enfold and allow differences, turning instead to destruction of differences. When people were seen as possible destroyers of the status quo, when ideas were different and unusual, when looks were strange, those who currently occupied a territory became frightened and fought to maintain. The act of maintaining developed into arguments, fights, battles, and wars.
Do you see this happening in your neighborhood and city now? It is happening in the United States and across the world.
People who know they are right are unwilling to enter into conversations with others who have alternate beliefs. Some are unwilling to accept the right of others to have a differing belief, seeing the alternate ideas as an attack on their firmly held beliefs. This is leading to more than arguments. Fights and battles are ensuing—some in courts, some physical.
Territory has always been contentious. “This is mine!” becomes the battle cry, whether the territory is an object, a piece of earth, or an idea. Unwillingness to accept other’s differences, along with unwillingness to see a need for others to share, or expecting all to accept a piece of what is “mine” leads to wars. Further, seeing something desirable but yet yours, leads to an “I want that, I need that, I deserve that” mentality, without thinking about appropriate means to obtain “that.”
Battles are breaking out across the nation, and world, caused by all of this. More importantly, though, is an unbending intent that only one view is correct and all other views must be obliterated.
Holding on to beliefs is important; knowing your beliefs are right is good. Expecting everyone else in the world to see those beliefs in the same way is ludicrous. No one really sees the same view from the same overlook point. Each is focused on different things. Some see the rocks, others the trees, birds, water, or even clouds in the sky. Each perspective is slightly altered. Arguing about politics or a firmly held belief is like asking “just what color is that ever changing mountain?”
Look at the things that cause argument in your life. Is any of it worth fighting for? Is it worth losing your life for? Perhaps. But, perhaps the other person’s strongly held beliefs are just as important.
What do you think? Are we losing our civilization? Are we going to become a group of fighting tribes again? It could happen.