Life's Fallacies - Part 4 - Placing Too Much Faith in Humans

It was November, 1994. The Republicans had just taken control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in a generation. The Republicans were touting their "Contract with America" which even included term limits and a balanced budget.  I remember feeling that perhaps the American people would regain the reins on a renegade Congress that had pretty done what it wanted with impunity.

A local minister at a church we attended at the time cited this historic event as a reason for hope to many. He cautioned, however, to refrain from placing too much hope and particularly trust in men, a political party, or even a movement inspired by humans. The minister went on the cite that a human will more than likely "let you down".

I have fallen prey to this human fallacy often, particularly relative to political figures, and bosses whose authority, eloquence and demeanor caused me to feel as if they could do no wrong. I fear that many today may hold a similar views of their political, civic, and spiritual leaders.  Like us, they are not infallible. 

I, too, have let down family, colleagues, and friends as a result of my human folly.

History is replete with groups which  have placed their trust in a humans only to experience bitter disappointment or even tragedy. The Rev. Jim Jones quickly comes to mind. Likewise, for Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker and their fallen ministries.

I once held an unrealistic view of our country's Founding Fathers as larger than life statemen who were noble, patriotic, and magnanimous.  Later study revealed to me that they, too, were prone to human frailities and failings like the rest of us.

The lessons for me include (i) recognizing that human failings exist in all of us (ii) not to hold anyone to unduly high expectations (iii) forgive those who have let us down even those who have been called to positions in the ministry and political leadership (iv) while forgiving we must hold these leaders accountable so that they commit to overcome their failings.