Asking the clergy: Are people more mean-spirited these days?
Pastor Roderick Pearson, St. Mark Remnant Ministries Inc., Central Islip:
There are three major reasons that contribute to being mean-spirited. They are one, spiritual; two, sociological; and three, mental attitude. Our Christian faith teaches us to love everyone. God says we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. A Godly spirit is a loving spirit (I John 4:7). Scripture goes on to teach us that "Love suffers long and is kind; does not envy; does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. . . . Love never fails. People who are mean-spirited lack God's loving spirit. The second reason for mean-spiritedness is sociological. People don't see others as their neighbor. They see others who are different as their foes. Meanness therefore became an offensive against gays and lesbians, black and whites, men and women, rich and poor, just because they are not like "us." We have to learn to accept people for who they are. We all share a commonality, and that is that we are all God's creation. We see this commonality arise in times of crisis, such as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, but this commonality should be just as active and prevalent in times of calm. The third reason has to do with mental attitude. Meanness becomes a weapon against change. People who resist change often use "offensive" means to protect their view of how they think the world should remain. How do we combat mean-spirited people? Well, some say just ignore them. But I say teach them by loving them and praying for them.
The Rev. Damian Halligan S.J., St. Ignatius Retreat House, Manhasset:
I am not sure whether people are more mean-spirited now than before. It may just be that we are hearing more about it through the various media outlets. But we also hear more about the extraordinary generosity and compassion of so many people; e.g., the tremendous outpouring of international aid for the people of Haiti. Also, the many acts of individual heroism, patience and sacrifice that go with it. Then also, the ongoing projects of individuals such as Greg Mortenson ("Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time," Penguin Books, 2007, $16.35) establishing 141 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan that defy the imagination. And what about Martin Luther King Jr., who experienced his own share of mean-spiritedness during his life and who is quoted as wanting said at his funeral ". . . I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King Jr., tried to love somebody. . . ." I try to think more about these things than whatever else I may hear today.
Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman, Jewish Center of the Hamptons, East Hampton:
There really are two answers to the question. On the one hand, the tremendous outpouring of care, concern and fundraising for the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti points to a deep empathetic human outreach to other human beings in need. No mean-spiritedness here. Rather, we are witnessing an extraordinary human and caring response. On the other hand, we are witnessing in our own communities the results of so much pain because of the loss of jobs, the economic insecurity about the future, the callous and uncaring response of so many in the financial world to the distress so many are experiencing. This pain is leading so many of us to feel a mean spirit from those in certain positions of power to the plight of so many in need. We feel that we can no longer trust the institutions we believed in for so long and in which we put our trust. We feel uncared for, neglected and at times abused. So some respond with a mean spirit and a me-first attitude. But I still believe in the human hearts which care and extend themselves to those in need and those around them.
.Samantha Tetro, Samantha's "Li'l Bit of Heaven," East Northport:
Look at the first two letters in the word "mean" and one has the answer. Me! For some, it truly has become an "All About Me" society. I asked that same question in prayer years ago. The Lord showed me that when one is struggling physically with their health, there are symptoms (pain, etc.) and when one is struggling spiritually there also are symptoms (selfishness, anger, strife). A mean-spirited person is an indication of a life void of a personal relationship with God and the knowledge of His great love for him. The scriptures reveal to us (Galatians 5:22) that when one "chooses" to be filled with God's spirit (instead of a mean spirit), there will be fruit (evidence) such as peace, joy, love, goodness, gentleness, kindness and more. The good news? Just as a body can be physically healthy, so can one's spirit.
