Sean Johnson - Intentionally - The Education of Sean Johnson

A utopian society does not exist. Never will.

Activists and intellectuals have talked for centuries about the promise of a utopia. They’ve talked about a city on a hill, shining as a glorious testament to mankind’s achievements and successes. They’ve talked of a perfect world where man’s faults have been removed and our inner goodness finally shines through in full force.

These individuals look at our society, or the society of their respective time, and decide that there is so much promise for man, if only we could get rid of the social injustices that plague the world. If only we could get rid of corporations or George Bush or the terrorists or Anna Nicole Smith, we could finally shrug off the stain of unreached potential and collectively move towards a world where everyone is happy.

If only we could solve the hunger problem. Or no longer have war. Or get rid of capitalist greed and the small number of individuals who crave power and put the rest of us under their feet. Or get those religious nuts to move to some deserted island. Then the world would be a better place.

After all these centuries and all these generations, each of which had their own fair share of societal optimists, we still haven’t reached that place. Mankind still insists on hurting each other and the world. People and countries still grapple for power. Individuals hurt their children or spouses or friends or themselves.

Maybe we can try harder. Maybe each generation before us just didn’t try hard enough. Sure, we were able to push for civil rights and liberated oppressive countries and fought for individual freedom and whatnot. But our country still isn’t perfect. We have people without food or jobs. We have a drug problem. But it’s nothing a little elbow grease wouldn’t fix. Perhaps we all should get together and hold a summit and come to agreement on a plan to finally rid the country and the world of social injustice. Maybe if we all finally come together and speak with one voice, we can do it.

There’s a certain amount of arrogance in assuming that our generation could possibly do any better than any previous generation. While it’s wonderful to hope for better things and to choose to live our lives with goodness and charity, attempting to get the world to do the same is a losing fight.

Why is this? Could it be that our inner natures are not ones of goodness after all? Is it possible that there’s a reason why the easy thing is also generally the evil thing?

People often talk of Christianity as a crutch. They say that people use it to give themselves something to believe in. Perhaps this is the case, at least for someone dabbling in religion. But dig deeper, and you discover the truth of the matter - Christianity is a ridiculously difficult thing to do. We talk of belief casually, as if it represents nothing more than a fuzzy warm feeling inside.

Christianity does have tremendous joy associated with it. But to get there, you must first come face to face with the terror. You must confront the fact that there will never be a Utopian society because we are not good people. You must face the fact that any sedative will only be temporary, whether it be the pursuit of money or sex or power, or even the positive values of humility or chastity or benevolence. You must confront the fact that, no matter how much independence you try to set up for yourself, you exist only because God decided that you should. You must face the fact that every day you rebel against him, and yet he still pursues you with a ceaseless passion. Perhaps the most difficult truth of all, you must confront the fact that your life has a purpose, perhaps a purpose of tremendous magnitude, and that you are called to give up everything you have for the Lord.

Once you’ve faced the terror, you find joy. Once a community collectively is willing to face their flaws and the truth of the world and their place in it, they can find peace and love and contentment. Then, you have a truly Utopian society.

Will this ever happen? Of course not. It’s too hard.