Evil is steadily destroying the heart and soul of the South African society. All relevant statistics reflect the same trend lines. We need to understand the structure and dynamics of evil and the levers to be used to subdue and erase evil in society. Evil is a virulent natural force that sickens and destroys the human mind and incites criminality, rebellion and uncivilized behavior.
It is attracted to weak moral environments and spreads and blossoms in societies and communities where there is a distinct disparity in people’s access to life’s resources and knowledge. Evil is human’s biggest enemy because it is a social virus that attacks, contaminates and destroys mental health. It develops and spreads in a fashion similar to the viruses that destroy the physical health of people. When people’s mental health is contaminated or in a poor state they invest energy in desperate behaviors and deeds that harm fellow human beings.
Murder, mass killings, assault, violence, corruption, rebellion, abuse, fraud and thievery are some of the reactive behaviors. When people become demoralized and hopeless because of the invasion and destruction of evil in their neighborhood they seek a moral compass to guide them safely past the clouds of contamination and abyss of destruction. But a moral compass only appeals to and works for the minorities in society.
Only minorities that have had the advantage of being in possession of adequate life resources and knowledge draw encouragement, guidance and benefits from a moral compass. Over time people sought protection against evil and remedies for it’s ruin. Books like the Bible, Koran, Bhagavad Gita and Torah were written centuries ago with the exclusive purpose of providing moral guidance. These moral compasses have helped millions of people to live better lives, but they did not help the billions who were poor or ignorant. Ever since humans acquired the ability to cast thoughts into the written word, love was touted as the only antidote for evil. But love is not an antidote or repellent for evil.
It merely serves the purpose of soothing the conscience of those who reach out to those who suffer the pains and fears that grow out of poverty and deprivation. The only metaphysical force that repels evil or heals the victims of evil is respect. Respect is the most powerful antidote for evil. It builds immunity in the individual who respects the self and it immunizes, inspires and empowers those who are respected by fellow human beings. Respect is the axle around which civilization revolve.
The instant people loose self-respect or the respect of fellow human beings they become susceptible to evil. Once they are susceptible to attractions of evil the resonant abundance of opportunities to be or do evil overwhelm them and they get infected. Some people find refuge in drugs (heroine and alcohol) that sooth or obliterate the conscience. But invariably the physiological effects of drugs destroy their self-respect and they plunge into the abyss of self-pity and deep evil. The secret to controlling and obliterating evil is locked up in the dynamics of respect or the value people hold in themselves or other people. Once we truly understand what creates and sustains respect we will curb and control evil.
Respect has a physiology and life of its own, and is influenced by what people do, believe in and what they value. Societies bestow respect on the basis of integrity, ability, performance, achievements, assets, success, wealth and wisdom. Respect is lost the moment individuals or groups fail in one or more of these perspectives. When a sports icon is found to have used drugs to achieve success his reputation is torn to shreds and when a wealthy businessman loses his fortune, he is ridiculed. When this happens to individuals they become emotionally shattered and dependent on support, pity and drugs.
Self-pity is a cruel ailment that emerges the moment self-esteem is savaged. However respect is essentially driven by integrity, fortitude, self-reliance, work ethic, ability, ownership and personal ethics. When individuals and groups develop, reinforce and nurture these drivers they really succeed and are often worshipped as great iconoclasts. Kindness, sympathy, compassion, benevolence and selflessness are often regarded and promoted as virtues to be treasured. However undeserved kindness and benefits from selflessness and charity create dependence, which result in a breakdown of respect and self-respect.
The way to beat evil is to promote, teach and treasure integrity, fortitude, self-reliance, work ethic, ability, ownership and personal ethics in society. These critical drivers of respect are instilled from early childhood onwards and must be treasured and amplified lifelong in every individual, team, relationship and organization.
The only driver that is not internally controlled is territorial ownership. The reason for this is that territorial ownership satisfies an unconscious genetic endowment or instinct. A society that pursues no tolerance of evil will find ways to assist people to own property. Property is a key driver of self-esteem and pride. The other drivers must be built into and taught in lifelong learning.
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