What Have We Become? – Humanity’s Denial of Evil That Has Invited Hell To Earth

by Andrew Voigt

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to accept what is true.” – Soren Kierkegaard

This morning I’m thinking about Brussels, Belgium…I’ve never lived there, nor have I even visited, but the tragedy that took place yesterday has left me feeling sick…Evil is real and it will effect us all, whether in our own lives or in the lives of others across the globe. We are all soul sick, desperate for redemption.

There’s a word that our society has rejected, but I’m going to say it anyway:

Sin.

There is a reason evil is in this world…Sin. There’s a reason death comes to us all…Sin. There’s a reason our hearts aren’t satisfied by anything we consume…Sin. There’s a reason psychopathic religious nuts blow other people up in the name of their religion…Sin. There’s a reason your family is broken…Sin. There’s a reason we have laws and regulations as humanity, guarding us against complete chaos…Sin.

“What have we become?

A self indulgent people

What have we become?

Tell me where are the righteous ones?

What have we become?

In a world degenerating”

– dc Talk, “What Have We Become?”

Some philosophers have debated whether or not evil truly exists, or if it is merely a social construct designed to keep humanity civil. I believe evil is horribly real, regardless of our narcissistic desire for it to be otherwise. This debate is far too grand in scope to discuss in a simple blog post, but I would like to offer one thought to consider:

If evil does not exists, why do our consciences condemn us when we commit acts of “evil”? If there is no soul with no moral boundaries, why do we feel the negative spiritual effects when we commit acts of rebellion?

Just a thought. Onward.

I often don’t like to repeat a quote, but this one is too good:

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to accept what is true.” – Soren Kierkegaard

When our society, our culture, and our world has refused to accept what is true, we accept hate, we harm our fellow human beings, we disregard reason, and we justify behaviors that are below the human conscience. Humanity loves to refuse to accept what is true…Yet, I would also argue that we love to believe what isn’t true, despite our refusal to accept the truth. We love evil, not truth.

We’re sin-sick and we need redemption, which is why I believe that Jesus was massacred in our place.

I could go on and on about the nature of evil and the nature of truth for decades, but today I will end this discussion with some questions to ponder:

(1) What do you believe and why?

(2) Are you embracing moral and spiritual beliefs because they accommodate your selfish desires, or are you seeking what is actually true?

(4) When your heart breaks during moments of great evil, are you willing to seek the truth, or will you harden your heart?

Andrew Voigt is a writer currently living in Charlotte with his wife Beth and their orange cat, Pumpkin. After spending two years in Los Angeles pursuing a career as an actor, he returned with unmet expectations and broken dreams. Prompted by a close friend, he began writing about his journey – one that is filled with dreams, anxiety, depression, faith, doubt, hope, and the constant struggle with grace. He holds a B.S. in Communication Studies from Liberty University in Virginia and has studied acting at the Film Actors’ Studio of Charlotte.