Human vulnerability and lessons


THE Association for Community and Dialogue (Acid) is deeply saddened by the outbreak of coronavirus that has spread rapidly in the city of Wuhan, China, and in a smaller scale in some countries.

The Philippines has reported the first coronavirus death outside China. As I was writing this article I was saddened to read another report that there is an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Hunan province in China. Acid would like to extend its hand of solidarity with the affected families of Wuhan China and the global family. 

In Malaysia, there have been quite a number of preventive measures that has been instituted by the authorities and also in the private realm to combat the coronavirus. The media has done a good job keeping us informed of the disease and the government’s measures to combat it. In mosques, churches and temples, congregations have been reminded on steps to contain the coronavirus. In hospitals I notice quite a number of people wearing masks. This shows that people take the disease seriously since the information concerning the deadly virus was disseminated.

While various measures have been instituted, from the policy level right down to individual hygiene, there is a fundamental truth, that with all the hype about technological and security advances in the world there is still a form of human vulnerability to events that are beyond the comprehension of human finite mind, even though we might have the best scientific community and the technological progress in the world.

In Malaysia, there is so much talk about nationalism, race and religion. How would race and ideological religion help when what is required is common collaboration among all national and global communities to look for solutions affecting humanity such as the cure for diseases? When there is a virus epidemic, every human being is affected.

It is ironic that the president of China used the word “demonic” to describe the coronavirus, when materialist, atheist China does not believe in God and principles of good and evil. If there is something demonic, there should be also something good, and if there is something good, there should be a moral law that creates goodness and that moral law has its origin in the believe of God. This requires an understanding that good means are as equally important as the good ends. In any disease prevention there should be the means and the ends related to hygiene and its related ecosystem. 

In the limitations of understanding the right means and ends calls for spiritual humility. One does not know everything and there are situations that are beyond human comprehension. The very belief of God should empower humanity to seek wisdom through one’s own being and live in solidarity with one another which is beyond ideological limitations.

It is hoped that this common human vulnerability from this deadly virus should inspire people around the globe to create more medical discoveries for the common good of humanity, instead of channelling national budgets to manufacturing and selling military equipment to war-torn countries and having a delusion that human security as whole can be merely protected through national economic, scientific and military advancement. Wisdom requires focusing on the essential which is the spirituality of life and how to empower life through self and community development that are less materialistic and focuses more on the value human persons than false security. The coronavirus and other diseases, over decades have shown how vulnerable we are in this planet earth and the need for spiritual humility.

* Ronald Benjamin reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.


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Comments


  • Diseases and spirituality? Are you saying prayers will kill the virus?

    Don't expect Malaysia to advance greatly in the medical field, not when the majority (including you?) believed EVERY living species is God's creation ...... including possibly nCoV-2019.

    How else to explain why the "Origin of Species" was NOT translated into the national language.

    And stop the "Ketuanan" BS!!! Beg Thailand for help in curing nCoV-2019. They have the the best record, based on percentage of recovery.

    Posted 4 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply