What Does It Mean To Be Human?

By MIKE MAGEE “These are unprecedented times.” This is a common refrain these days, from any citizen concerned about the American experiment’s democratic ideals. Things like – welcoming shores, no one is above the law, stay out of people’s bedrooms, separation of church and state, play by the rules, fake news is just plain lying, don’t fall for the con job, stand up to bullies, treat everyone with the dignity they deserve, love one another, take reasonable risks, extend a helping hand, try to make your world a little bit better each day. But I’ve been thinking, are we on a downward spiral really? Or has it always been this messy? Do we really think that we’ve suddenly bought a one-way ticket to “The Bad Place”, and there are no more good spots to land – places that would surprise us, with an unpredicted friendship, a moment of creative kindness, something to make you say, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming.” I’m pretty sure I’m right that human societies, not the least of which, America, will never manage perfection. But is it (are we) still basically good. What does it mean to be human, and more specifically American? In their 1980 book, “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”, written by surgeon Paul Brand and Christian popular writer Philip Yancey, they included a story, attributed to an unidentified speech given by Margaret Mead some time in the past. While it has never been able to be validated, if the anthropologis...
Source: The Health Care Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Physicians Uncategorized AIDS C. Everett Koop HIV/AIDS Humanity Mike Magee Source Type: blogs