Matt. 7:15
Remember the Twilight Zone episode “To Serve Man”? I think its inherent for most people to expect the best intentions of others, even if they’re not from this planet. In today’s world we are confronted with the intentions from people, or cultures, we know little of. So when the giant alien said that all they wanted was to improve our lives, many took it hook line and sinker. It wasn’t until the end of the episode when the alien’s text was completely translated that people realized they were the entrée to an alien recipe book.
Through history man has always been tricked because we don’t want to believe that there are those who would do us harm; especially when we are so willing to lend a helping hand. We send billions of dollars to nations around the world with tax dollars and individual donations. Every time there’s a natural disaster Americans send monies, no matter what political, social, cultural, differences we may have. There is no more generous country on the planet than the United States. Yet we are hated by many. Why? In a word: Capitalism. Defined as: a free-market system: an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterized by a free competitive market and motivation by profit.
It also means that with freedom there will be times we lose. Yes, I have had some successes in my life, but I’ve had far more failures. Some people think that failure is unfair; life should be wonderful for everybody. Nobody should go without any needs or wants. Maybe that’s why so many people are duped when they hear people make promises of a better life for everybody. For that matter, those who allow themselves to be duped because they believe everybody has good intentions. I say we should remember history – it does repeat itself – but always have skepticism, and patients, when dealing with people whom you know little of. Whether it be for political, social, or religious reasons, those who promote a totalitarian view say they want fairness for everybody, but ultimately do so to have complete control.
So is it wrong to question the motives of people? Is it wrong to question those who make promises which sound to good to be true? Some will claim that if you question, or if you mistrust, you will be called a fear monger, paranoid, cynical, racists, or partisan. I say it is good to question, and not to be gullible and naïve. You don’t want to be that person on the ramp entering the spaceship being told “IT’S A COOK BOOK! TO SERVE MAN!” By then, as Rod Serling would tell us, it far too late.
