The Sad Truth About Indifference

Benjamin Franklin once said that the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. With all the relentless scrolling we do on our phones every day, we have been conditioned to just “look on” and do nothing with what we see. The recent revelations from the Epstein files and the unbelievable corruption in our governments should all make us react with anger and compassion toward the innocent victims of this depravity. The children—their vulnerability and innocence—are being exploited and sabotaged right before our eyes, and yet we no longer have the capacity to drop everything we are doing, demand justice for them, push for the perpetrators to be put behind bars and tried for these crimes, and ensure that these depraved people are not in leadership positions. The world just continues quietly scrolling down their screens with all this shocking information, just “looking on” every day and doing nothing.

Jesus has entrusted the children to all of us. Did He not say, “Let the children come to me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to them”? The children are the closest to God in terms of purity and innocence to evil. Hence, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This deliberate assault on children is a direct assault on God and His holiness. We are watching this depravity in silence. Every day, the extent of these heinous crimes and depravity is being dumped upon us until it is no longer shocking. Our minds are being conditioned to accept even this depravity.

What shook me to my core, the same way this depravity has shaken me, was the shock of watching everyone continue to scroll on their screens and just “look on” at this evil, then carry on with their day as if nothing is happening! The indifference is deafening. This is the same indifference that has enabled evil regimes and dictatorships throughout history to continue oppressing their own people. This same indifference has kept North Koreans oppressed for over 100 years; it empowered Hitler to murder over six million Jews and enabled so much evil to flourish in our midst. Indifference has never been on the side of good. It has always been the friend of evil.

If we just keep on watching (scrolling), if we just keep on “looking on” and doing nothing, we become desensitized, and one day we will no longer feel. What makes us human? Is it not the ability to feel for others who are suffering and to somehow come to their rescue? To make a difference in these poor lives and not just live for ourselves? If we allow depraved and corrupt perpetrators to continue their evil ways right before our eyes, and even allow them to be our leaders making important decisions that impact our lives, then what will become of us? Can you sense your own indifference creeping in slowly, numbing you to feel for others and crippling you from doing something to stand up against this evil?

Then I beg you to do something about what you are seeing. Do something. Pray something. Don’t just “look on.” Don’t just keep on “scrolling” on your phone. Do something about it. Christianity that just watches and looks on at what’s happening is NOT real Christianity. True followers of Christ are active people. They do something about what they see.

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)