Russia, Ukraine and the Thin Veneer of Civilization

 

The world has been watching the face of evil as the Russian army has invaded Ukraine dislocating a million plus individuals to date, killing innocent civilians in a brazen act of violence inflicted by one country (primarily its leaders I suspect) against another. For many of us, words cannot convey our horror at what the Russian army is inflicting on Ukraine. 
Watching world events there is one truth that I see all too often. Riots in our own country, racism that inflicts pain and unfairness, conflicts like we are watching in Europe, ongoing civil wars in places like Congo all point to one truth: The veneer of civilization is very thin and very precious to maintain.

My further observation is that evangelical leaders can be naïve to a fault - thinking of those who have lauded Mr. Putin for his tough stances. Mr. Putin is a corrupt leader who has robbed his nation of its wealth allowing a minimum of 30% of its national wealth to be concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. This was not earned money but stolen money. He kills his enemies, silences his critics, imprisons those who are a threat, oversees a corrupt government and system that cares little for fairness or justice. He is Stalin in a "nicer" form - or was, until Ukraine when his true credentials were on display for the world to see. Just because he lights candles in a Russian Orthodox Church does not a Godly man make. Why anyone would laud him as a good man or a decent leader is a mystery to me. Ice water flows through his evil heart.

I would arrive home after trips to Russia and hand in expense reports with descriptions like "graft" and "corruption." There are many things about Russia and its people I enjoy but its government from the local to the national level is deeply corrupt, anti-Christian (evangelical) and very difficult to deal with. 

On just one trip I was charged $25.00 for a two kilometer taxi ride (they wanted $50), charged extra bribe money to board two flights, had $200 stolen, was extorted at the train station, was searched by police on the street, had a dinner in a private residence interrupted by police who then demanded that I show up at the police station in the morning (I agreed to since I was leaving by train that night at midnight - they are probably still waiting for me). Oh, at breakfast, lunch and dinner, the car you might be driving is pulled over because the traffic cop needs money for food and the standard fine for anything car related will conveniently purchase said meal. Those were just the highlights not counting the mafia characters who tried to extort me. 

Events at our capital last year would indicate that the veneer of American civilization is also thin and getting thinner. All of which begs for the transformation of the human heart through the rebirth Jesus offers. There is no other ultimate solution to the problem of sin and evil and our world specializes in both.