«A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame» (Proverbs 13:5).
INTEGRITY
Possibly no other generation in the history of humanity has watched so many violent deaths. It’s common today to see parricides, murders, tortures and bloody acts being transmitted to millions of people through movies, TV series and web pages, as well as raw images that appear on mass media. Even when you go to a toy store, you realize how far the culture of violence has gone because of the great amount of war toys they offer. The culture where death is presented as a performance favors open brutality, cruelty and barbarism. Morbid images don’t generate analysis or reflection, but rather produce amazement, which comforts and reinforces the viewers’ indifference or enjoyment. In addition, the habit of watching wickedness tends to get us used to cruelty and to make us believe that compassion in the face of suffering is a sign of weakness,—Michela Marzano, La muerte como espectáculo [Death as a spectacle], Mexico: Tusquets Editores, 2010, pp. 90-100.
The worst thing about learning to live with death as a performance is getting used to that new «reality-horror,» because it tends to make us insensitive. And there is only one step between indifference and cynicism. We can’t support cruelty. What can we do upon the imminent arrival of «reality-horror»? It’s very important to promote compassion among human beings. The Bible says that the redeemed are a compassionate people. «Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’ » (Matthew 25:34-40, NKJV).
Don’t be indifferent to the consequences sin has brought upon this world and don’t settle for pointing out its disastrous results. Better yet, follow the way of compassion and do good to those who need it.