A long time ago, a singer named Al Wilson made a song calledThe Snake popular. The song is basically a metaphor for the deceptive appearance of evil. Snakes, of course, aren’t really evil. They mainly go after things we (humans) are glad to have them keep under control (such as rodents). They have, however, inherited an evil reputation.
For one reason or another the ancient writers of the Old Testament, had Satan (the “Father of Lies”) appear to the first humans (Adam and Eve) as a snake to tempt them to eat the “Forbidden Fruit.” Snakes were, of course, falsely accused, but they have been suffering for it ever since.
The song, “The Snake,” reminds us that “we knew he was a snake” when we took him in. In the days when cultures were ruled by royalty of one sort or another, people could always blame “bad stuff” on the king or queen. In a democracy, people generally have no one to blame but themselves. In the States, we currently have a president many consider evil, and we need to remember that we (the people) voted him into office. Not everyone, of course, voted for him, but (gerrymandering aside) a sufficient number did for him to be elected.
Another old saying is, Marry in haste; repent at leisure. We know that decisions made quickly are unlikely to be the best. Decisions made in the absence of sufficient information are also likely to be less than wonderful. At this point, many can see “the snake” for what he is, but many are still entranced by the promise of the gifts we have been told would come from the forbidden fruit. We need to remind ourselves that reality is always East of Eden. No gifts will be forthcoming.
“The Snake” basically hypnotizes people into believing that those who are deserving will finally get everything they deserve. The problem with that is that the Snake can’t deliver on the promise. The Snake can only do so much with “smoke and mirrors.” As Abraham Lincoln said a long time ago, You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. One of the things about reality, is that it eventually prevails.
Our current metaphorical snake fooled a sufficient number of people to be elected to office, but reality will eventually prevail. The question is, “What then?” No matter how often we say, I won’t be fooled again, history has a way of repeating itself. Unless more people begin paying attention to political realities, the new boss will probably be the same as the old boss.
Our “salvation” depends on our ongoing evolution. We need more people to pay closer attention to the reality behind the “smoke and mirrors” of the illusion we have been offered. Too many people have a “hobby horse” that they assume will carry them to “salvation.” For some it is Islam, for others it is Christianity, and for others it is some other religion or philosophy or perhaps even a charismatic individual. For one reason or another, it is extremely difficult for humans to simply accept the reality that is in front of them.
We need to start paying closer attention to the smoke and mirrors being presented to us.
