Wednesday, July 3, 2019

DIVIDED HUMANITY


Along comes a man who disrupts the status quo of the nation’s leadership. He’s not from the ruling class, not an insider; he’s an interloper in the minds of some. He doesn’t deserve the attention he’s getting. Criticism is heavy against him from some party leaders.

Yet there are many who also like his refreshing character. He’s less political than popular. He’s not afraid to speak his mind and openly criticizes those who condemn him and his ways. He is like a folk hero to a lot of citizens. And his public speaking ability is without peer.

So two camps arise and not many are indifferent toward him. It’s either love or hate, and the haters get more press than the lovers. Some extremists even call for his assassination; others simply for his removal in some “legal” way.

He’s not the first in history to be misunderstood and treated this way. Many others before him were driven away more easily than he, and this tenacity infuriates the haters even more. Their rage is like a derangement.

In some public gatherings violence breaks out between the two camps and people are injured or even killed. The authorities often seem helpless to intervene. The hatred is very evident to outside observers.

And yet he perseveres and attracts larger and larger crowds to his events. It is a worshipful experience for his followers. They chant and cheer and applaud at nearly every statement. They think deeply about his words and challenges and look forward to hearing him for years to come.

But alas, the hatred prevails. Liars are paid to present all sorts of sordid and untrue accusations. The opposition doesn’t allow much of a defense and he is indeed condemned to die after a mock trial.

He is crucified on a cross between two thieves.


COPYRIGHT 2019 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

1 comment:

  1. Profound. Thought provoking. Clever. Ironical. Thank you! (I am a friend of your friend, Kerry.)

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