COLUMN: A lesson in empathy and faith

Like most of you reading this column, the COVID-19 pandemic has put me under “house arrest” for most of the last few weeks. I have used some of that time to catch up on my reading, and I recently finished a biography on the late Rock Hudson. He was the most popular leading man in Hollywood for a time in the 1950s and ‘60s, and later he was one of the first celebrities to fall victim to the AIDS epidemic when he passed away in 1985.

I remember being shocked when it was announced that Mr. Hudson was infected with HIV and with the subsequent revelation that he was gay. Apparently his sexuality was well-known amongst Hollywood insiders, but back then the press protected celebrities from revelations about their private lives that might damage their careers. It was a different time, obviously.

I recall that when the world first became aware of the HIV epidemic it was widely viewed as a disease that only affected homosexual men and intravenous drug users. That didn’t turn out to be completely accurate, but the stereotype took hold and I remember at the time a number of people viewed AIDS as a punishment sent by God for people who engaged in lifestyles they perceived as sinful.

I never went along with that line of thinking. The idea that God interferes with the natural order of things to single out and punish any particular type of sin here in this life is questionable, and thinking that we can discern when He might be doing this is hubris of the highest order.

But I do remember feeling a distinct lack of concern about the HIV epidemic back then since it wasn’t likely to affect me or (as far as I knew) anyone I was close to. I regret that lack of empathy now that I understand better what it’s like to live in fear of a mysterious, invisible force that threatens me and everyone I care about.

I wonder if the same people saw AIDS as divinely ordained punishment for a certain class of sinner now view COVID-19 as God’s punishment on all mankind. If that sentiment is out there I haven’t heard it. But then again I don’t get out much lately.

Today is the day that many Christians celebrate Easter, the most important holiday of the year for believers. But very few churches are opening their doors today. This is likely the first Easter Sunday that many Christians have ever experienced that won’t include a visit to their house of worship.

There have been scattered reports of people meeting for worship in spite of widespread “stay at home” orders in effect for most of the country. Their reasoning is that God will protect His people from the virus as they meet to honor Him, but I don’t think that reasoning is sound.

Would God protect a believer if he chose to walk out onto a busy highway, or stand in front of a speeding train? Probably not. God doesn’t bend the laws of the universe to protect individuals from doing obviously stupid and life-threatening activities.

It’s interesting to ponder whether the novel experience of a pandemic might cause some believers to question their faith. In most cases it will not. Our brains have defense mechanisms that protect our most deeply-held beliefs. It interprets real world events in a way that reinforces rather than challenges our core beliefs.

Even so, the deep-thinkers among us question why deadly viruses exist in a world that was supposedly created for us by a benevolent, all-powerful God. Most believers settle on the position expressed by Erik Erikson in his column here last week - that God has a plan that we simply cannot understand and all things have a purpose even if we can’t comprehend it in this life.

I suppose that is as good a definition of what faith really is as I’ve heard. Happy Easter, everyone.

Bill Ferguson is a resident of Warner Robins. Readers can write him at fergcolumn@hotmail.com.