Evil exists.
I have found myself in numerous discussions during this journey regarding how a nation should address injustice. And in a manor of thought; we are all individual nations. These discussions have often been with Europeans; French, German, Spanish, with a few American's in the mix. The definition of injustice to one person is not always the same for another. For me; the distinction crosses the invisible line of evil at some point and the discussions begin to heat.
Evil is easy to identify from afar, but is often confused and misidentified in the moment. Most humans would agree that Hitler of Germany was evil, that Pol Pot of Cambodia was evil, that Stalin was the devil, that Idi Amin of Uganda was evil. I contend that evil must be challenged whenever practical, at every turn. Clearly, a frail old man of 90 years should not fight the 15 stone man of 24 years. The only result of such a challenge is evil becomes emboldened, stronger. Fighting evil is not always possible for individuals or nations at every turn. But turning a blind eye to evil is-as evil as the act itself.
I always flash back to a powerful memory of mine. As a 9th grade student of 14 years I was once taught a valuable lesson about evil. Sitting in the school cafeteria near me was a disabled boy. He was small, stuttered, was weak and pale. The "friends" I sat with began to ridicule and tease the boy - piling their used trays on his, laughing. I just sat there. I did nothing. I did not tease or ridicule the boy, but I did nothing. After lunch, on the way back to class, 3 older boys singled me out and cornered me in a hallway. Before I realized, their leader cold-cocked me. I still recall the ring he wore and the blood on my lip. He kicked my ass. Later I realized what I had done wrong. I had done nothing.
True, it can be difficult to identify evil.
True, an individual or nation can not challenge all evil at every corner.
But evil can never be ignored or you are as guilty as Renfield, the horrible character from Dracula. You become the evil.
The Europeans in my discussions often take the 'high' road. Saying the evil in some nations must be sorted out by that nation. (eg. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria). Let 'them' solve their own problems - America was wrong again!! Don't send my son, my army, my money across the ocean, across the planet to fight evil. That 'high' road philosophy is noble, makes the person feel safe and just and superior. But the Jew in France, or the Cham Muslims and teachers in Cambodia, or the Acholi and Lango of Uganda - they would not feel justice is served by those that take the 'high' road. Nor would the disabled boy from my 9th grade. In the case of the Jew's, Americans did act. But we stood by and did almost nothing in Cambodia and Uganda. We should have done more.
When challenging evil; goodness alone is not enough. Wisdom is required for the challenge to be successful. Goodness standing alone without wisdom always accomplishes evil - emboldens the enemy's of good. Its another way of expressing the Law of unintended consequences - without wisdom, all is lost.
Like most people, I have faced evil. Fortunately, my injuries have only been psychological. In-law's have targeted me, business partners have stolen from me, 'friends' have given false witness. Evil exists, and for-me; it is the best evidence that something God-like must exist for good to exist. I'm not talking of Christian gods, or any religious gods. I'm talking of the power of good people fighting against evil. The god in each of us.
I visit the Killing fields of Cambodia tomorrow. The thought is overwhelming.
May you always be protected by every evil.
Stand by your brother.
Be counted.
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