Not a Virus but perhaps a Cancer…
It is something I have heard repeatedly even long before Covid-19 and lock down. I heard it most often but not only from the mouths of millennials. The phrase: “Human Beings are a virus”. Covid-19 time saw slight variations and add-ons to this phrases like: “Human beings are the real virus.” And “the earth should get rid of human beings”.
The definition of a virus is:
- an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host.
“a virus infection”
an infection or disease caused by a virus.
“I’ve had a virus”
a harmful or corrupting influence.
“the virus of cruelty that is latent in all human beings”
- a piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.
Human beings are not single molecules and not to small to be seen even though we do need a “host” to multiply. I guess we can copy ourselves and we have the capacity to corrupt systems. Especially governmental systems it seems. So I do get how some people can think of the human race as a virus when they look at things like pollution, climate change and wars, all of which are man made and detrimental in various ways.
And yet, when it comes to my views on humanity, I choose to be informed by more than trendy statements. One of my sources is the Bible. It has after all stood the test of time for many years now and informed many that spoke authoritatively on the subject. We are not sketched there as a virus but as tenders and keepers and the crown of God’s creation, the beings created in his very image. In Genesis 1 and two and other places, we are described more than a balm than an ailment. Genesis 3 does thoroughly elaborate on the fact that we are fallen and therefore has a capacity for destruction. A more balanced and inspiring picture, I would say.
Maybe, should you insist for a metaphor that focus on the destructiveness of humankind, even cancer would be a better analogy than that of a virus. A definition of cancer is a cell that grows more than it should and in such a way that it stifles life in other cells. All of us have through sin become people with abnormal growth when it comes to our ego and things like greed, arrogance, lying and corruption. But cancer is treatable. The abnormal growth called a tumor can by removed by radiation or by a skilled surgeon. And God is just this kind of radiation specialist and specialist surgeon.
Go get the Jesus treatment and become a balm brother (and sister)!
Gabriel J Snyman
April 30th 2020