Narcotizing Dysfunction

The idiom, “sitting on a powder keg” originated at some point in the first half of the 20th century. This metaphoric term alludes to sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could go off at any moment.

However, I believe that is exactly where we are as a nation and as a civilization – “sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”

On Feb. 10, 2005 North Korea declared itself a “de facto” nuclear power, claiming in the strongest terms possible that it had “manufactured nuclear weapons” and it would no longer engage in international disarmament talks. Earlier this month there were reports that North Korea had successfully tested its first nuclear weapon.

Kim Jong-il, chairman of North Korea’s National Defense Commission and general secretary of the Worker’s Party, has been regarded as an irresponsible maverick by some world leaders. The Security Council of the United Nations condemned Pyongyang’s decision to flout their appeal to cancel the test after the reclusive regime announced it had set off an underground atomic explosion. George Bush said the North Korean action “constitutes a threat to international peace and security.”

Kim Jong-il has been so intent on producing nuclear weapons that he has literally impoverished and starved his own people in order to fulfill his selfish and unconscionable quest for power. Now, some fear that the ruthless leader of North Korea is so desperate for wealth that he may sell off whatever nuclear warheads he may have to oil-rich Arab nations in order to fatten his own bank account.

To think that North Korea has nuclear weapons is bad enough, but can you imagine what kind of a powder keg we would be sitting on if such weapons fell into the hands of the Taliban or Al-Qaeda? Actually, there is a book entitled Al Qaeda: Brotherhood of Terror written by Paul L. Williams, an FBI consultant on international terrorism, who declares that Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network purchased 20 suitcase nuclear weapons from former KGB agents in 1998 for $30 million.

For months news analysts have suggested that we are in World War III. President Dwight Eisenhower once said, “The only way to win World War III is to prevent it.” Albert Einstein commented, “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”

Yet, it seems that most Americans appear to be both ignorant of and unconcerned with the issues that threaten our future as a nation. Much more passion is demonstrated for sporting events, television, movies, parties, and accumulating wealth or possessions than for protecting and securing our national heritage and future.

Others have allowed themselves to be deceived into thinking that the United States carries some magical immunity from the mistakes and cultural erosion that have caused the downfall of many other world powers throughout history.

Sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld has diagnosed our problem as “narcotizing dysfunction.” “Narcotizing dysfunction” is the concept that as we are exposed to more and more information, we subconsciously mistake knowing about a problem for doing something about it. We become concerned and informed, but not active.

Simply put, lurking deep in the heart of America there is an enemy much more formidable than terrorism, economic collapse, or invasion by a foreign power. It is apathy, and this malevolent foe is not only making our nation vulnerable, but the church as well.

The cost of apathy is too great for us to remain in the quagmire of religious pluralism, cultural sensitivity, and political correctness. If we do not dislodge ourselves from the tentacles of apathy, we will soon find ourselves at the mercy of corrupt politicians, a secular society, and a world that is hostile to the cause of Christ.

We are “sitting on a powder keg.” What will it take to shake us from our indolence, our indifference, and our lethargy? Will it require another major catastrophe, the invasion of our own country by some formidable, villainous foe, or the launching of a nuclear attack upon one of our major cities?

We must do more than give lip service to our support of freedom in the world and spiritual renewal in the church. Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things than to take rank with those poor, timid spirits who know neither victory or defeat.”

Choose action over apathy! Choose truth over popular opinion! Choose freedom over warmth and security! Choose courage over cowardice! Choose to take up your cross and fight the good fight of faith!