For Background, See : kony2012.com
a middle road response : http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Kony+2012+campaign+tests+impact+online+activism/6306657/story.html
a negative response : http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/03/14/the_road_to_hell_is_paved_with_viral_videos_kony_2012
Yes, KONY haters, there should also be videos for those with
invisible medical problems, for abuses of power in other dictatorships
and in democratic countries, for invisible homemakers all over the
world, for doctors who don't overcharge those who can't afford it and
the poor who can't afford doctors, for... etc., - but independent groups
can't take on every world problem all at once - no human can. Neither
can anyone fully grasp all the subtle nuances of each and every evil
situation in the world.
To put down one group, or one
man's efforts to educate youth, and others, of something other than
their own (usually) ignorant or self-centered pursuits, is just
frustrating to me. As if preachers should not preach because not
everyone in the congregation understands the world of the 1st century,
or Koine Greek, or what it really means to suffer for Christ. A twenty
minute video isn't meant to change the world perfectly any more than a
30 minute Bible study - but it can educate those with eyes to see, and
encourage those with hearts to understand to continue learning. Those
who are intelligent can take from a simply stated lesson and learn and
do more; those who won't, won't anyway.
Don't spread the
word about KONY because not everyone there wants help? I am sure there
are folks on welfare who need to be saved from those who would rather
keep them in ignorance and poverty, but they don't want help. Should we
therefore put down the efforts of teachers, government ministries or
private-run organizations that attempt to educate and train them and
their children toward a different life? What about those who live in
violence in our own inner cities and hidden areas of the suburbs and
rural areas? What about those who are in jail - because some will refuse
education, should all efforts to rehabilitate any?
And
should there be no effort to educate our children or youth about others
in the world, even if they can't understand it all? If so, then why do
we teach them history or civics? or for that matter any subject in
school, such as sciences, maths or literature? And what about the Bible,
with all those teachings that can be misunderstood and misused "to
their own destruction"?
Since they "can't do anything",
then should we relegate our young people to the status of toddlers who
"don't need to know"? Pat them on the head and send them off to band
camp or the mall or to their rooms full of video games and fantasy
novels? Young people have throughout the world and through the ages
indeed "done something". (Look up the book "Do Hard Things" for more
examples). I, for one, disagree with those who believe that teens and
young people are incapable of understanding and unlikely to research
further into this KONY situation or any other situation. Many people who
are opposed to this campaign would gladly send their young children to a
Christian Bible camp, mission trip, or even a Young Republicans rally.
For those folks, I would ask them to look further into their reasoning
behind their dislike of this "propaganda".
If you believe
in young people, in your government, in human kind as the creation of
Jehovah God, in the power of prayer (even when it seems that there is
"nothing else you can do") - then quit disparaging this campaign, at
least in public, please. When you give children hope for a better place
in this world, you encourage them to look further to an Even Better
World. When you take away their hope, their drive, their enthusiasm...
well. It makes me sad.
To him who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is a sin.
Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season.
Do good to all men, and especially those of the household of faith.
Love your enemies, and do good to those who spitefully use you.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Pure religion in the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their distress.
Do good, expecting nothing in return.
