The dehumanization of man

It neither kills outright nor inflicts apparent physical harm, yet the extent of its destructive toll is already greater than that of any war, plague, famine, or natural calamity on record - and its potential damage to the quality of human life and the fabric of civilized society is beyond calculation. For that reason, this sickness of the soul might well be, called the 'Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse.' Its more conventional name, of course, is dehumanization." Ashley Montagu was a British-American anthropologist who popularized the study of topics such as race and gender and their relation to politics and development.

Students of the Bible will know that in the Book of Revelations, the phrase "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" is synonymous with frightening prophecies that foretell the coming destruction caused by false religion, war, famine, and pestilence that would herald an unparalleled time of sorrow and great tribulation. Although some interpretations differ; in most accounts, the four riders are seen as symbolizing Conquest, War, Famine, and Death, respectively.

Horsemen

Thus, the Christian apocalyptic vision is that the four horsemen are to set a divine apocalypse upon the world as harbingers of the Last Judgment. Most Bible students focus only on the first four horsemen of Revelation 6; but there is another horseman - a fifth - whose ride signifies a much different future and brings promise of a far better age to come. He rides not with famine, pestilence or a false gospel like the earlier riders; instead, he is the returning King of Kings and Lord of Lords: The Lamb of God, or Lion of Judah - Jesus Christ.

That Ashley Montagu has chosen to compare the dehumanization of Man, as the fifth Horseman, has nothing to do with the Book of Revelations, nor with Jesus Christ - a man of peace and love. It is only euphemism and a metaphor to show that, dehumanization is as bad as or even worse than the four foretold calamities of the Book of Revelations. I am neither a believer nor a non-believer of the Book of Revelations, or for that matter in prophecies. It is also too far back in time for such prophesies to be taken seriously and most of what was foretold did happen and continues to happen in one or another part of the world anyway. However, I accept that it is a fact that man is being dehumanized by the day; and it is most apparent not only in our country, but in all countries of the world.

Inevitable

Perhaps, only the degree of his dehumanization differs, country to country. The reasons for this are manifold; but when the way of man becomes too wicked, I suppose it is inevitable. However, we need to understand a basic principle when judging Mankind. None, no human who is rational, loving, and kind, to whatever extent dehumanized, takes pleasure in the death of a kindred soul, howsoever wicked that person may be. Rather, he would like to see men and women live righteously and enjoy the blessings that come from living thus.

The problem however, is to define what is morally right and justifiable - righteous - in a world that has wide disparities of cultures and customs; and the greed for power and wealth. A common law for Man has never been, and never will; but we need to understand that when someone makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself. In making you suffer, his suffering is only spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help.

That is the message he is sending. If so, how do we bring this world to a state of harmony, instead of it being a world full of warring and fractious human beings? May be the answer is to be found in us developing more understanding, exhibiting sympathetic awareness and tolerance; but I cannot say for sure and with certainty that, that is the remedy for all ills of Mankind and his multitude of nations. However, I am certain of one thing; and that is, to say it as it was, originally told by Musab Faiyazuddin, "When the Attitude of Gratitude grows in Multitude with Certitude the World will perceive Beatitude."

Chance

Clearly, the desire of all nations, what the people of all nations long for, is peace: the chance to live, and love and grow old through the generations without fear of war, wasting diseases and want - peace with honour. Throughout the ages, men, women, and children have looked and longed for lasting peace in the world.

The first-century world considered as part of the classical era, epoch, or historical period, and coming under the increasing dominance of the Roman Empire; looked for a golden age that would bring justice and peace to Mankind. They, the Roman rulers, sensed that the time was right for restoring a time of prosperity and wisdom to all those who came under their rule; and in which, the physical and spiritual world worked together in harmony. The Roman poet Virgil spoke of the return of justice from "a new breed of men sent down from heaven." Of course, the Roman Empire did not bring a "golden age" - it was more like iron than gold; because the peace of Rome was, achieved at the end of the legionnaire's short sword and war; but not a righteous one. However, no leader or nation since then has brought lasting peace to any age of Mankind. If so, where can we turn for a reliable promise of peace and justice? Honestly, I have no plausible answer because the search will continue indefinitely for a lasting peace among today's nations.

Many a conferences held; treaties produced, and accords signed; and there will be short periods of calm giving the illusion of peace. Eventually, the interests of nations and politics will wipe away the illusion. However, though the pursuit of peace and progress, with its trials and its errors, its successes and its setbacks, can never be relaxed and never abandoned; in the end, the only real peace must be brought by attaining peace within ourselves, for peace to be in the world. When there is no enemy within us, there will be no enmity outside.

Peace may sound simple, one beautiful word; but it requires, everything we have: every quality, every strength, every dream, and every high ideal. Peace cannot be without freedom: freedom from hunger, freedom from want, and the freedom of having the basic life needs - a roof to live under, affordable access to food, potable water, clothing, and health services; because, no man can be at peace unless he has this freedom.

Dehumanized

That is the reason why, however much dehumanized a man is, there is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life: happiness, freedom, and peace of mind can only be, gained and attained through our giving them to someone else. To do so, love and loving compassion must fill our hearts because freedom and love go together. Love is not a reaction. If I love you because you love me, that is mere trade, a thing to be, bought in the market; it is not love.

To love is not to ask anything in return, not even to feel that you are giving something - and it is only such love that can know freedom; and such freedom will lead us to inner peace and peace in the world. For darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that; fear cannot drive out fear, only calm can do that; a dehumanized man cannot drive out greed, only generosity can do that.

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