Faith in Humanity

A "friend" on Facebook posted the other day about faith in humanity.  He presents examples of some of the tragedies that have plagued mankind, including wars, genocide, and overall violence perpetrated by one person against another.  He postulates aloud about how these man-made events have made some lose their faith in humanity, shaking some people so deeply as to lose hope.  "With that in mind, to anyone who has lost their faith in humanity, I have only one thing to say: What kind of moron are you to have picked humanity as a place for your faith to begin with?  Pick up a Bible, (insert expletive insult here)".  This was followed by a comment from another, declaring that placing one's faith in humanity is the biggest mistake there is.

Now, I don't pretend to know everything there is to know, and I certainly don't assert any advanced ability to interpret religious works.  I don't claim to have a better grasp on any religion than the next person, nor claim one faith as better than another.

That being said, and the Bible being the reference point within the original post, I felt compelled to point out a personal observation: isn't the New Testament heavily focused on forgiveness and charity?  Isn't an incredible aspect of the Christian faith rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, a man who reached out to those in need, who lent aid to many others of the time seen as undeserved?   Aren't there reams of examples demonstrating that treating all with fairness and respect, of loving, protecting, and helping those around us is the key lesson?  Heck, as one account reports, among Jesus' last words were "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."  Again, focused on those that are here, with us, and around us.

It almost seems that faith in humanity was what brought about the events of the New Testament.  Even the Old Testament alludes to this: after he murders his brother, Cain responds to God's question as to Abel's whereabouts with "Am I my brother's keeper?"  which "offends against the Torah's ethic responsibility for one's kinsman and neighbor" (Berlin & Brettler, ed. The Jewish Study Bible, 2004, pg. 19).

And looking over human history, those that are honored have all contributed to mankind - indeed, placed their faith in humanity.  Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and Viktor Frankl (to name a few).  These people live(d) for those around them, regardless of religious belief.  It just seems to me that more important that beating someone over the head with Scripture is to reach out to them; rather than pointing a finger, they would lend a hand.

As the old anecdote goes, a man asks God, "Why do you allow all these bad things to happen to people?  People are starving and fighting, they're hurting and killing each other, people are freezing at night without enough clothing or shelter, children are malnourished, and many don't have the basic necessities to survive tomorrow.  Why do you let these things happen?"  God simply looks at the man and responds,

"Why do you?"