Perspective

By L. Jim Tuck

March 21, 2024

The Milk of Human Kindness

    Former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush was many things, including the only second American to see his son follow him into the nation’s highest office. But more than anything else, he was a believer in government service. As a part of his legacy, he sought to challenge the United States to be a “kinder, and gentler nation.” It hasn’t worked out quite that way since 1989 when President Bush took office. Rather, the country now is more divided than any other time in history with the exception of the Civil War. The coming election will undoubtedly divide the nation even more. People have very diverse visions for the future. Unfortunately, the vast majority choose their own way of treating other people—the way of thinking about self and not caring about others. Jesus came to proclaim a way for all the nations to be at peace and the way to know how to be a kinder people. He proclaimed the way of “give” and not “get.” If we deeply examine ourselves, what way are we pursuing?

Perspective

   Jesus prophesied that in the last days, “the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

   Are people growing colder towards one another? Are the less polite even less kind towards one another? Thankfully, there still are those who are striving to be civil and kind-hearted towards others.

   For those who must conduct their daily life intermingling with others, driving to and from work and interacting with others regularly, they most likely would make the judgement life isn’t changing for the better. People are impatient in lines at the grocery store, in city traffic, or on the phone. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere else—even too much in a hurry to smile and show kindness to another human being. To borrow a phrase from Shakespeare’s Macbeth---the Lady Macbeth told her husband he was “full of the milk of human kindness.” He, in reality, acted ruthlessly to become king. The phrase "milk of human kindness" means sympathy, care, and friendliness. She meant the king had no kindness at all in his ruthless actions, and he was doing just the opposite. Where is the milk of human kindness?

   The Apostle Paul warned, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (II Timothy 3:1-5)

A Time When People Were Kinder

   Gone are the days when children were taught to always respect their elders; a time when parents instructed their sons and daughters to say, ‘yes or no ma’am,’ or ‘sir’ to adults or address their elders as Mr. or Mrs, and not by their first names. Young boys were taught to be masculine. They were instructed in how to treat a lady and act in a gentlemanly fashion. Girls were taught to be feminine and chaste.

   Many remember a time when it was a common courtesy to be friendly with others, even if you didn’t know them. I remember well the days as a young boy riding with my father in his pickup, he waved at most everyone he saw on the road. Most smiled back and were generally friendly.

   We lived in a small farming community and everyone knew one another. You often knew your neighbors and they helped in a time of need. When a neighbor died, you knew them well enough to support their families by being at the funeral. It is not uncommon today to not really know one’s neighbors.

  As the love of many grows cold, it is perplexing some can have more love and compassion for a pet than for a human being. This ought not to be, but is seemingly more often the case. It isn’t wrong to love animals; they are a part of God’s wonderful creation and can be wonderful companions and give joy to their owners. Animals should be treated humanely, but not on the same level as humans.

  “A recent study by criminologist Jack Levin reveals a possible answer. The study’s participants were asked to respond to a fake news story about a victim who was assaulted with a baseball bat, leaving them unconscious with several broken limbs. While the story was the same, it differed in one crucial detail; the identity of the victim changed. It was either a one-year-old baby, an adult human, a six-year-old dog, or a puppy. Respondents showed the same level of empathy for the baby, the puppy, and the adult dog, but significantly less for the adult human being. Researchers concluded that this suggests that our empathy level is unrelated to species. Rather, it has to do with perceived helplessness and vulnerability. This can also relate to the human-animal bond many of us feel, as they require our attention, help, and concern. The natural affection we feel for animals can be compared to the affection we feel for our children. We impulsively care for them and desire to help them because they are unable to easily help themselves. Our perception of adult humans is that they can easily speak up for their rights or defend themselves from danger.” (March 14, 2024, “People Who Love Animals More Than People: Psychology of Empathy”)

   What might be other causes for a person to have more affinity for an animal than humans? Perhaps the reason could be that someone has been isolated for long periods from other people. The Covid virus pandemic perhaps contributed to causing people to isolate themselves from others. A pet animal, a dog or cat, may have served as their closest companion.

The Way of Love and Kindness for Others

   However, God’s way is all about human relationships and learning to interact with each other in a kind and loving way. The laws of God, when practiced effectively, can teach us how to love God and other human beings. Galatians 5:14 admonishes us, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The law of God forms the basis of God’s way; a way which isn’t about the self, but it is a way of life which will make “a kinder and gentler” people of all the earth. Now, that is the kind of world we pray comes soon!

This is my Perspective for this week. Have a happy Sabbath and a great weekend.