VICTIMS

From My Perspective - - -

We use words freely in our world and culture. One of them currently receiving some attention is the word “victim”. It occurred when a political candidate stated that 47% of the American population, those who pay no Income Tax and who are receiving some form of Government subsidy, such as Food Stamps or Unemployment and or Disability Allotments, are “victims.” A “victim” is (1) “a person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action or agency”; (2) “a person who is deceived or cheated, as be his or her own emotions or ignorance, by the dishonesty of others…”; (3) “a living creature, person or animal,  sacrificed; war victims.” The politician might have done well to have found a better word to use. Many people are in their current situation through no fault of their own. The broad range of economics is a major factor. There is outsourcing of manufacturing and industry; a persistent high level of unemployment and underemployment; a low and declining GDP (Gross Domestic Product) - the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States. In that sense, there are a number of people who are victims of the nation’s economic policies.

In the general discourse regarding “victims”, the thought is in terms of the bigger picture. There is a website, “The History Place: Genocide in the 20^th Century”, that offers these following introductory observations. First, “Adolf Hitler to his Army commanders, August 22, 1939: "Thus for the time being I have sent to the East only my 'Death's Head Units' with the orders to kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of Polish race or language. Only in such a way will we win the vital space that we need. Who still talks nowadays about the Armenians?" Second, “The term 'Genocide' was coined by Polish writer and attorney, Raphael Lemkin, in 1941 by combining the Greek word 'genos' (race) with the Latin word 'cide' (killing). Genocide as defined by the United Nations in 1948 means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, including: (a) killing members of the group (b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group (c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part (d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group (e) forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.” In the minds of many, these two observations characterize those who are or have become “victims” through  no fault of their own.

Some will remember a prescription drug in the 1950’s that caused severe birth defects. CNN has a pictorial history of those who became innocent “victims” when/where this drug had been prescribed and used. “Thalidomide pills were prescribed in the late 1950s for morning sickness and as a sedative. New Jersey-based Celgene Corporation won FDA approval to use the drug for a painful side-effect of leprosy. It was banned in 1962 after causing birth defects.” What is even more telling is not just the infants who were born with physical defects - including shortened arms and legs, and in some cases no limbs at all - but the Corporations admission of any error on their part in the production and distribution of the medication. The New York Times, in an article dated September 1, 2012, reported: “Decades of campaigning by victims of Thalidomide, a morning sickness drug, have taken a new turn, with the first apology in 50 years to the victims and their families by the drug’s German manufacturer and an incensed rejection of the apology as too little and too late from many of those it was intended to placate.”

The Bible reminds us that The Lord cares about all who are afflicted. Psalms 140:12, “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.” Psalms 9:9, “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psalms 103:6. “The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” Zephaniah 1:9, In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their master’s houses with violence and deceit.” We should endeavor to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. We should assist those who are afflicted. We should point precious souls to Jesus Christ Who will be their refuge and hope. We need to live in such a way that we are a demonstration of the reality of life in Christ. We can do it! We need to be doing it – for Him!  Consider these things with me!