During the plague that ravaged ancient Athens in the fifth century B.C. (the same epidemic that killed Pericles), that city-state practiced three key virtues that helped it rebuild itself: mutual trust, public service, and the free flow of information. Those who practiced self-centered behavior by failing to look beyond the ends of their own noses were condemned for violating the public trust.
The Greeks had a word for such people: ”idiotes” (“idiots”) from the Greek word ”idios” meaning “the self.” If you were selfish to the degree you failed to demonstrate social responsibility you were considered uneducated, ignorant, and a menace to the public good.
Those who insist upon violating restrictions on gathering during health emergencies are idiots. Some of the worst of them are saying, “I’m not afraid of COVID-19.” The “I’m not afraid” part of that sentence signals a person who selfishly and recklessly refuses to consider what’s good for all. Such behavior isn’t socially responsible even on religious grounds. Since when does a religion worthy of the name promote behavior that’s dangerous for the common good? Since when do the demands of protesters and public officials who say restrictions should be lifted prematurely count for the common good, especially what’s good for the health care workers who risk being overwhelmed caring for the idiots who get sick and what’s good for the rest of us whom they infect?
It’s not good politics, it’s not good religion, and it most definitely is selfish.
Ted Thornton
Northfield