MAN IS A BRUTE

The world is totally confused and in a dire state for its values and respect had long been lost to man's brutish actions and deeds which are grounded in selfish ambitions and gluttonous quest for power. The natural features of man, which include empathy, love, passion and respect for human beings have long been forfeited and man is equal to brute.

The different various crises and wars being staged and fought in the world in this twenty-first century have portrayed man as an evil entity. Man has desecrated civility, humility, passion for human race and value for the souls of human kind. Man builds fortresses for itself. But against whom? Weapons, arms and ammunition are designed and produced to maim and kill human beings. Science and technology which ought to develop humanity and society at large have been the channels of these wars. Scientific innovations are implemented to produce weapons such as missile, rocket, guns, fighter Jets, bombs.

No country of the world presently seems to be free from the menace of terrorism. Terrorists carry out well planned attacks in all parts of the world. The civil war in Syria which began in 2011 has escalated to a proxy world war with different countries nurturing their bestial missions through airstrikes, diplomatic policies among others. The notorious terrorist group, ISIL also known as Daesh is spreading its campaign throughout the world with many people joining it and even claiming allegiance to it.

Terrorism is not only affecting the middle east alone. Nigeria, Mali, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Egypt, Tunisia among others have different insurgents killing, bombing and attacking people even in the religious places. Rebels rise against their governments using destructive assaulting weapons. For instance, the Boko Haram group has killed many people in the northeast region of Nigeria and destroyed many properties. The Al-Shabab too is causing mayhem, deaths and destruction of properties in the Eastern part of Africa.

This year alone, many people have been gruesomely killed in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip as a result of the violence between Israel and Palestine. Many have been rendered homeless while a lot are in the hospitals having been severely injured and wounded. Countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan are being bewildered by some fundamentalist groups such as the Taliban, AL-QEADA etc.

Almost all the European countries are trying to stop the influx of the refugees fleeing wars in the Arab world and some African countries. A lot has been spent to curtail this international mess. And there appears no glimmer of hope to the end of these traumas. And anyone who has been following the trends of the violence will know that the influx is a great threat to the EU countries. All are concerned!

There seems to be no trust again among the inhabitants of the world as people start pursuing their personal interests at the detriment of others. Russia, which is a frontier force in the on-going war against the ISIL, is, of course, having a lot of things to garner from the war. In its pursuit, it clashed with the Ankara government, which last week downed a Russian Su-Fighter jet having violated its rule of engagement. France too has felt the cruelty of man when the ISIL went on a vendetta mission in Paris.

TENSIONS are so high these days for no one can accurately predict which part of the globe will be struck. Every nation is building and intensifying its security. Why will this be necessary if man is not bereft of what makes him man? Everyone suspects other people because of the fear of the unknown ones who perpetrate evils in masks. There is no basic trust in the universe anymore.

Religion, which should be in a reliable position to curb the excesses of man, is a major factor contributing immensely and vehemently to the major crises bedeviling the world. There is no honour shown to the house of God as the terrorists are attacking worshippers every cursed day. For example, some Shia Muslims were killed in Kano, many mosques, churches and religious leaders have been bombed and killed respectively. The world is doomed! A large number of the religious leaders are preaching hatred, confusion, superiority and partiality. These days there is what we call "Islamophobia" in almost all parts of the world to the extent of Muslim-dominated countries. These leaders, apparently, are supposed to be preaching peace, love and calming nerves among the people. But it is so unfortunate that religion cannot save the human race from the impending dooms and catastrophes. The religion leaders spread falsehood, enmity, hatred. This should not be!

The world leaders, who should be seen working to ensure peaceful coexistence of all and sundry are just cashing in on the inhuman conditions and situations of the world. In war, certainly, some benefit a lot and make use of the opportunity to amass wealth and exhibit their military strength while questing for more power. These cruel leaders are after getting fame, acquiring more territories and domination of the world. Very selfish and ambitious!

Man has become a barbarian, he does things without a second thought like a brute. Man violates all natural and divine laws. Life has no value to us any longer. Killing and other nefarious activities have become a norm.

The effects of all these upheavals, crises, attacks and tensions are numerous. Its immediate consequences include death of many people, wastage of funds, displacement of the innocent ones. There are many refugees in the Europe and a lot of Internally Displaced People in Nigeria and some other African countries. Attention has been shifted to find a solution to all these security issues and development of the society has been left out. The economic implications cannot be overemphasized and the standard of living is below average. Man is doomed!

With things in disarray now, man seems incapable and not ready to withstand the prophesied apocalypse because man is working towards realization of the lingering purgation of the race.

If things go on like this without any honest and meaningful effort to nip the impending extinction of human race in the bud, all of us, either rich or poor, black or white, female or male, young or old might not live to tell the story. All prides should be dropped, we need to reach compromise in order to forestall the wars.

Timothy Faboade,
OAU, ILE-IFE

Will comment wen am done reading