I remember reading in "The Week" last year about a little dog lost at sea in a burned out ship, and the mass effort and amount of money spent rescuing it. (The article is also posted online and is actually an excerpt from the book The Hidden Brain ©2010 by Shankar Vedantam. Here is the link for those who would like to read it; he makes some interesting points. http://theweek.com/article/index/106310/the-little-dog-lost-at-sea)
The article outlines the story of a 2002 incident which spanned nearly two months and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars (including at least $250,000 from U.S. taxpayer funds) which finally led to the dog's rescue. Vedantam addresses the thinking behind why we seem to connect with one individual (dog, in this case, but humans in other instances), but mass suffering is easier to dismiss. He notes:
"The philosopher Peter Singer once devised a dilemma that highlights a central contradiction in our moral reasoning. If you see a child drowning in a pond—and you would ruin a fine pair of shoes worth $200 if you jumped into the water—would you save the child or save your shoes? Most people react incredulously to the question; obviously, a child’s life is worth more than a pair of shoes. But if this is the case, Singer asked, why do large numbers of people hesitate to write checks for $200 to a reputable charity that could save the life of a child halfway around the world—when there are millions of children who need our help?"
I did not watch the Casey Anthony trial and am not entitled to an opinion as to her guilt or innocence, but the situation does remind me of the "one child versus a million children" moral dilemma. I am certainly saddened over the death of her beautiful little girl, but at the same time, I can't help thinking of the millions of children who die from preventable causes each year, around the world and in the United States. Their passing is not generally greeted with the same outrage as Caylee's has been, even though, in many cases, their deaths are the result of the policies of our own country, including wars we have started.
As we (rightfully) mourn Caylee Anthony, perhaps her death can also serve as a reminder that tens of thousands of other beautiful children suffer and die every day. While there's nothing we can do to bring Caylee back, we can strive to cherish all children, just as Jesus did when he took them in his arms and blessed them.
Sister Terry, if the Ozark Uncle has an internal prayer, it is to act with wisdom with regard to people (and sometimes animals) in need. Interestingly, he had not been drawn to the Anthony trial and its verdict, for he also has been focused on the millions of abused and neglected children living in the shadowy corners of our society totally under the radar of virtually everyone.
ReplyDeleteIn recent weeks, the Ozark Uncle has been taking a troubled family member to Northpoint Church here in Springfield. She has about every mental health and addiction issue on the chart, and no doubt, Jesus could fix some or all of them.
Well, Northpoint is a satellite of James River Assembly. Sister Terry, it is so far from the Ava Assembly of God I attended as a child to not be recognizable as a worship service. Still, the church's program is very effective particularly with 30 somethings and their children.
For sure, Pastor Tommy, gets a point across every week, and this morning he tied in graphic scenes from the movie, "Jaws", to ask us what is the 25 ft shark or monster in our lives. Is is fear, depression, or addiction, for example?
For the rest of today, the Ozark Uncle has been asking himself about the monsters in his life. He told his companion right after the service that while he doesn't fear death, he fears the process of dying.
This evening, and after reading your post, the Ozark Uncle has to admit that another monster is milling around him--that is the fear of inaction at a time when he needs to act with courage and wisdom in critical situations. Pastor Tommy Sparger's answer was to (1) be honest (about the monster), (2) be accountable (for one's handling of the monster), and (3) be done (with the monster--sort of a "get me behind me,Satan").
For the Ozark Uncle this evening, he pledges to act with courage and hopefully wisdom with regard to all those less fortunate or in trouble around him.
Bless you, my friend. You always encourage (and challenge) me.
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