The Death of Compassion

Ask anyone who knows me personally and they would tell you I am the least judgmental, non- confrontational, empathetic individual they know. I have heard people speak of me this way. I will be the first to admit that is is a blessing as well as a curse, for I tend to keep frustrations buried and sometimes do not stand up for myself when I should.

Now the more I spend time on this forum the more I notice how callous some people can be. How they show a complete lack of compassion and disregard for human life. I am not sure if it stems from the fact that hiding behind a keyboard makes them feel they can then judge more freely without having to feel remorse, or that these people truly have no remorse.

What I cannot understand, no matter how hard I try to place myself in an others views before dismissing them, no matter whether I try to see if I could share their view in some way or another, I just can’t (with some) understand how they can behave the way that they do.

These feelings came to me over the last few days, where for some reason in the threads I have been participating in, hateful statements are becoming predominant. There have been a few statements that have drawn me over the edge with frustration and driven me to write this rant about it.

When I see statements similar to “who cares if this person killed themselves, anyone who sympathizes is a weak individual.” Or “they all deserve to be tortured, shot…” I feel disgusted. Where has all the empathy gone in the world? Why would anyone wish death upon another human?

Look, I understand that there are evil people out there who have gotten away with despicable things or done things that some may not agree with. But I see people on here responding to these situations in a very hateful manner and have to ask why? I will pose one example of what it bothering me.

So, we all hate the bankers and we are well aware of the corruption and deception within our society, but the response from some is that they all deserve to be killed? These are human beings, and although with severe flaw, they are to be judged by us with no chance for remorse and just extinguished?

How is violence and murder the right answer to any of our world’s problems? If anything, all this hate and anger is driving humanity further apart, which is NOT what we need at any point in time. There is nothing in this world that could convince me that death is the key. There is nothing in this world that could make me compromise that, which I believe is not a commandment from God but a principle of human compassion, Thou Shalt Not Kill. Unless my life was in immediate danger and all that I did was in self defense I would never kill another person… no matter how much I disagree with their actions.

It makes me really sad to see what some people have become…

reply to post by TheSparrowSings


S&F

I know exactly who you are talking about and they also make me sick to my stomach. Unfortunately nothing you and I will ever say to them will change them from being nasty pieces of dirt. Sometimes I wish I made the rules in this world and I could take away all this hate and suffering.

Originally posted by michael1983l
reply to post by TheSparrowSings

 

S&F

I know exactly who you are talking about and they also make me sick to my stomach. Unfortunately nothing you and I will ever say to them will change them from being nasty pieces of dirt. Sometimes I wish I made the rules in this world and I could take away all this hate and suffering.

To be honest, I feel sorry for them, for whatever happened to them in life that caused them to become so hateful must have been a real tragedy.

I too am bothered by the lack of compassion from many of our members. Some seem so cold and harsh. Sometimes I wonder if it's one's age or just people in general. In any case, our fellow man deserves better.

Originally posted by Night Star
I too am bothered by the lack of compassion from many of our members. Some seem so cold and harsh. Sometimes I wonder if it's one's age or just people in general. In any case, our fellow man deserves better.

I wish it was just on this forum that I heard comments like that, but I see it a lot in the real world, in fact I even have a few close friends whose callous comments cause me to shudder sometimes. Even my husband has said a few things I find to be so harsh.

I would treat others as I would have them treat me. I mean, come on, that is a concept my 3 year old is beginning to understand yet some adults have completely lost this. Maybe its the fluoride in the water... (

reply to post by TheSparrowSings


You are exactly right, IMO - also about it not just being ATS. Over the past 4-5 years I've truly been of the opinion that just about everyone I know has become far more selfish, demanding, judgmental, and basically instantly indignant regarding anything that they don't see as benefiting them directly. Family, friends, neighbors, and online. It seems rather universal for Americans.

I think that the two party system has learned to play our fears like a banjo - but they keep wanting to see how tight they can tune the strings for some reason... seeking out where the breaking point is maybe? We are being pushed by so many issues and concerns at once that we can't handle the stress... so we circle the wagons and shoot at any and all noise we hear in the bush.

Humans took one to two hundred thousand years to invent society, and to bring ourselves up and out of the caves. Society, for some reason, seems Hell bent upon putting us back where we began.

It truly does suck.

S&F

~Heff

reply to post by Hefficide

Humans took one to two hundred thousand years to invent society, and to bring ourselves up and out of the caves. Society, for some reason, seems Hell bent upon putting us back where we began.

Thanks for the response, Heff, as to your above statement. Maybe they are hell bent on putting us back in caves because if we evolve any further they won't be able to control us anymore.

Off my main topic but still valid to point out, although I feel for Americans with the two party system, having more option doesn't make a difference anyway. In the last Canadian election we had 3 major players which ended up dividing votes and creating a majority government led by someone who more than half the voters did not vote for.

reply to post by TheSparrowSings


S+F! Thank You for starting this thread. You saved me some time.

When did people become so damn sensitive? Jesus you can't say a damn thing now-a-days without somebody calling you a *gulp* "BULLY".

So what! Why do you care what some idiot like me thinks? Stand up for yourself. Show some personal pride.

I read a story on this site, that was posted twice by the way, about some girl who got teased and so she killed herself?! Really? That's the response? Somebody teases you a little so you kill yourself? (wow!)

I'm sorry she felt so bad and she felt she had nobody to talk with. I would have talked with her for as long as she wanted to talk. I would have helped her understand it may seem like a big deal today but soon it would be a memory just another learning experience.

Where are the #ing parents when this # is going on?

Don't blame me and don't blame society.

You know your computer/tablet/phone whatever you're using has a power button and you can turn it off anytime you wish.

I don't mean to sound like a dick but it's time people take responsibility for their actions and stop blaming the rest of the world for the problems they create.

Feel free to say what you want. I'll read what you say, consider your comment and I may even feel the need to reply. Rest assured that there is nothing you can say now or in the future that will make me feel suicidal. So I promise I won't kill myself. (as disappointed as it will make some of you it's the truth.)

Originally posted by cavalryscout
reply to post by TheSparrowSings

 

I don't mean to sound like a dick

Too late.

Originally posted by michael1983l

Originally posted by cavalryscout
reply to post by TheSparrowSings

 

I don't mean to sound like a dick

Too late.

Honestly? That's your best? "Too late."

Who helped you with the spelling?

reply to post by cavalryscout

I never said people aren't entitled to opinions. Most of this post isn't even about this suicidal girl (who, btw, if you think was "teased" then I think you are mistaken. She was harassed across the country no matter how many times she tried to get away.) Most of my post is about how anyone can think that they have the right to decide that another human being deserves to die. No one has that right, and it is that which disgusts me, to see anyone just openly say it like their is nothing wrong with the idea of taking another person life.

To simplify. Problem = The elite bankers are destroying us and they don't care.
Solution = Round up bankers and kill them.

Why does violence have to be the answer? When is violence EVER the right answer...? These are the questions I ask. I am not sensitive. If people don't want to show sympathy to someone who killed themselves regardless of the reason it happened, so be it. But to say that the best way to deal with problems in society is to kill those responsible for the problem is disgusting.

reply to post by TheSparrowSings


I agree with what you're saying. Sorry if I went off in the wrong direction.

I haven't been visiting the site much in the past week or so I guess I missed the comments. (I can only imagine.)

It's true that people say things on-line that they would never say in person. I do, I'll admit it. I bet the guy who basically called me a dick a couple posts back wouldn't say it to my face......maybe he/she would - who cares.

I maintain that in general people just get a little too uptight about comments people make on-line or in person. Who knows if the poster is drunk or on 'medication' or if they're just a moron. My point is you have to take it with a grain of salt. It's only words....

reply to post by cavalryscout


It's only words? Words can harm and hurt.

reply to post by cavalryscout


I wish it was only online, calvaryscout, it might be easier to digest that way but it surrounds me in everyday life (surrounds us all). I don't know, maybe the hidden "empath" in me just see's some statements written with so much hate behind them, that I feel disgusted from the negativity. I believe in differing opinions and constructive criticism but I have found that some people do not even bother to try these methods before skipping straight into the negativity. Too angry, not enough time, bad day? Who knows why...

Originally posted by Night Star
reply to post by cavalryscout

 

It's only words? Words can harm and hurt.

My response here is off topic but that would make a very good line in a song.

It's sickening to see how people show such apathy as if's perfectly normal and OK. To me, these are alarm bells, telling us that there are serious problems in modern society. Even with those who don't mock or put down the victims, there are still those who will say things like, "It happens" or "People bring these things upon themselves", as if they're talking about someone losing a hundred bucks at a casino or something.

A human life is slightly more meaningful than that! What is happening? Are people losing their humanity or have so many people always been like this and it took an anonymous tool like the Internet to just reveal it?

reply to post by Night Star


True. But now we're getting back to the sensitivity thing or low self esteem or some other underlying problem.

I've just always had good friends and a close family, I'm very fortunate that way. If you don't have that there are tons of support groups. They have support groups for almost everything which is great for people who need help.

It just seems like you have to watch every word you say or somebody is going to have a fit or.......I don't know I just think it's getting to be too much.

Originally posted by LoneCloudHopper2
A human life is slightly more meaningful than that! What is happening? Are people losing their humanity or have so many people always been like this and it took an anonymous tool like the Internet to just reveal it?

People are becoming more divided I think. It is as if it is meant to be this way, it seems to be the way that a controlling government would want it. Keep us all apart, viewing each other as if we are rivals rather than Brothers & Sisters. What is causing this, I don't know, but it is everywhere we look.

Even I am more bold behind my keyboard than I am in reality but I would never think the thoughts that some people do...

reply to post by TheSparrowSings


Yes, to an extent it's easy to overlook other views (or emotional reactions) online, because in a way you're typing opinions into a void. Very different than looking people in the face as you talk to them. That being said, of course some replies can get pretty ice cold.

reply to post by LoneCloudHopper2


I also think there is a difference between people taking things personally and a statement being made that is flat-out distasteful. Sometimes I have been guilty of taking things too personally when they where not meant to be that way, but I can see that I am being overly sensitive and I try to correct this. I also find, sometimes, when commenting on a particularly hateful statement you just bring more hatred out of the person who wrote it.