As we look at the world today we find that respect for truth, rules, ethics and human empathy is all time low, at least in my lifetime. There has always been limited and isolated loss of morality, man-made human suffering and loss of freedom to exist in various parts of the world. But since WWII, the world has seen stability, respect for a global order, however flawed, and some level of respect for human dignity and human freedom.
Unfortunately, at this turn of 21st century, we are witnessing a regression at a wider scale to injustice, falsehood, oppression and abuse of religious doctrines and to an unprecedented level, especially when such violations are being perpetrated by the ones who once acclaimed to be the upholder of such virtues. Some countries justify genocide based on misinterpretation of the Torah, some people (Christian Zionist in particular) justifies support of evil in the name of biblical commitment that does not exist unless the Bible is mistreated (see Scofield Bible), some countries marginalize other religious communities on the false claim that the country belongs to a particular religion and their adherents (India for Hindus), even atheists acting fanatically when they ban and persecute religious expressions (as in China).
One wonders where this global malaise comes from and what may be at the root of it. This is not just an happenstance of bad leadership and opportunism. Deep down every human being, whether a citizen or a leader of any sort (academic, political, religious, economic, business) has to reflect on who we are, why we are here and what is our accountability to God and to one another. In the absence of such reflection and taking responsibility for one’s action (taken individually and/or collectively), we will not learn from history, not our current behavior and this recurrent failure of morality and responsibility will happen with greater frequency and intensity since technology is going make it so much more efficient and enabling to do evils faster and with greater damage – unless we get in front of it, pay more attention to ourselves and in that process get to know God and our purpose on this earth.
I am going to leave with few verses from the Qur’an for us to reflect on and to read between the lines (verses):
59:19 - Do not be like those who forget Allah and then Allah makes them forget their own souls.
2:152 - Therefore, remember Me (God) and I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not deny Me
49:13 - Truly, the most honorable in the sight of God is the one who has a sense of responsibility (taqwa)
