Resist Evil
Dear Friends
I have discovered that Southern Sudan is no tourist destination! After 21 years of civil war in pursuit of self determination, there is virtually no infrastructure. No electric network, no water system, no refuse system, no hotels and few civic structures. Where, in more celebrated destinations there are skyscrapers, freeways, squatter towns and endemic street crime, in Juba people live in traditional village settings, children play freely, family structures are in tact and the streets are tranquil and benign. Peace and nation building are a serious endeavour.
John Steinbeck’s novel The moon is down was written as deliberate propaganda for the people of occupied Europe. Translated into many languages it is a fictional narrative describing the mindset of resistance. The narrative revolves around the interplay between a town’s symbolic leader, the Mayor, and a commanding officer of the occupying force. It is acknowledged that there is little an individual can do against the might of an occupying army, but, throughout there is a recognition that no power can oppress the human mind. At every opportunity the Mayor evades consent and offers spiritual resistance demoralising to the oppressor. “The fly conquers the flypaper”. Steinbeck contrasts the totalitarian mindset with a single hero-leader, to free democracy, where every mind has the potential to lead. Leadership cannot be destroyed because values, virtue and destiny are embedded in the minds of people. Socrates is quoted, reminding us that in these circumstances we have little power as to whether we live or die. Our choice is whether we do right or wrong.
I am reminded that our age is occupied by the evil one and there is not much that we can do about it – save that we resist. Save that we demonstrate that, submission to the norms and conventions of hedonistic materialism cannot be assumed. The world does not have our consent! The Sudanese demonstrate that we are not defined by what we have, but by vision and values shared.
Thank you for being among those who persistently resist the vortex of decadence in favour of the freedom and hope that only Christ can cascade. Your resilience in this struggle is appreciated.
Yours truly,
Victor Pilmoor