For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a reader of Holocaust literature. I also watch as many documentaries and/or true-to-life movies on the subject as I can find.
Other human-upon-human tragedies that have captured my attention, and have me reading and watching everything I can get my hands on, are the two civil wars in Liberia, the genocides in Rwanda and the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Sudan, just to name a few.
In all that I read and watch, there is a common thread of consensus that many who have survived and/or lived through these horrific situations seem to agree on…
Over and over I read or hear them say, and I’m paraphrasing (of course), “I just didn’t think that humans had the capacity to do such terrible things to other human beings!”
That idea always amazes me. I wonder to myself, “Have you not been paying attention to human history?”
Don’t get me wrong, I do not in any way blame victims for being victimized; not at all whatsoever.
That’s not what I’m saying.
I would never, ever fault anyone for wanting to believe the best of humanity.
It’s that believing the best of humanity, however, that lulls so many into a false sense of security.
For me, as a follower of Christ, who studies and meditates on the Word, I don’t put anything past people!
I mean, if they’d crucify my Jesus just for wanting to bring back the abundant life that Adam and Eve forfeited for us in the Garden of Eden, why wouldn’t they burn babies alive or chop children with machetes or rape righteous little girls or torture teenagers trying to protect their mothers?
On this Resurrection Day, when I remember the stripes Jesus bore for my sins, so that I can have eternal life, I also remember the other victims of human tragedies and pray for humanity.
For more information on Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, read Matthew 26:1 – Matthew 28:20.
Now that is something to think about.
Thanks for reading, Kimmie!