The Thin Veneer of Civilization

For most of us, we go through our daily lives unhindered by crime or civil unrest. However, for those who live in areas where there has been social or economic issues brought on by war, drought, famine or plagues, it is a far different story. We would like to think that everyone is like us; kind, goodhearted, willing to give the shirt off our back etc., to help a neighbor or even a stranger.  The truth is, that sadly, many people are held in check only because of law enforcement, readily available food and government assisted living.

It has been said that we are only 9 meals away from anarchy , or 72 hours from it, (ie. 9 meals).  When difficult times arise, this is when we what people are really made of. Thankfully most of us may never have to find out. But, in a survival situation, where the common niceties or necessities are not available, the true nature of mankind asserts itself.  That kind, easygoing personality is sometimes only a thin veneer that covers the anger, rage and evil that lurks in the hearts of people. This is why many marriages fail when hard times come and the true nature of the person they married shows itself.  History is replete with illustrations of the savagery and barbarism that rears itself when so-called “civilized” people are cut off from their easy lifestyle and thrown into desperation.

This is why we train and practice our skills. To provide for ourselves and our loved ones, as well as those around us who may also be in need. Knowing how to fish, hunt, forage for wild and medicinal edibles and grow crops will help keep you from becoming a savage.  It has been proven that when people have starved for a sufficient length of time, there is a sort of madness that takes over. In almost every real famine in world history, cannibalism has occurred. One of the most famous stories of this happening is found in the Bible. In 2 Kings 6:25-30

25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.26 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.27 And he said, If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?28 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

Indeed, there is a thin veneer over the true character of many people.

Spiritually speaking, the ugliness in the heart of people comes from being born with a sinful nature.  We inherited this nature from our first father Adam, when he rebelled and disobeyed God and thus passes it on to every human being born into the world. It is this nature that caused God to send His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins.  Only by letting the healing Grace and Forgiveness of God change your inner nature, can you destroy the ugliness within, you cannot do it on your own!  So, when the tough times come, what will your family see? Will they see the Love of God even in starvation and deprivation, or will a monster arise out of you that would even cannibalize it’s own offspring? Are you really you, or do people merely see the thin veneer of civilization?

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Thanks for reading!

James B