Critters

Could the term “separated” apply to the present condition of humanity and is that a bad thing?  

A Paul Harvey, writing a book review for Christianity Today, describes the antebellum motivation that drove slavers to wealth in America as “animal spirits.”  Mr. Harvey might not agree, but could this term be descriptive of the thinking that places “me” first, superior, and separate from “them?”  Have we survived as humans because of this, our “survival instinct?”  

Religion that fosters this separation teaches that “being saved” means being in a condition in which I conform to that religion’s beliefs. Then I become a person separated and superior from others who do not conform.  That’s survival of the right-est.  

And since a separatist mind-set is one of survival, it’s easy for this thinking to become a cultural norm for tribes, ethnic groups, entire nations.  Politics, economic practices, lawmaking, foreign policy can all fall into line.  We’re wired this way and it is “natural” for us to fall into it like the rest of the animal world.  That’s why we’re still here.  So if someone asks, “Does this really work?”  and the answer is, “Yes, it’s defense, it’s self-preservation, and it’s essential,” then Jesus was wrong.