Be yourself when everyone has gone mad: the power of conscience and faith

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: from open sources

Saint Anthony the Great once said: “A time will come – the last times – when people will lose their minds, and if anyone is not like them, they will rise up against him, saying, ‘You are mad, for you are not like us.’”

It seems to me that this time is already near.

Murderers and terrorists try to lecture us on morality.
Liars pretend to be teachers of truth.
Those who do evil speak of goodness – twisting its very meaning.
We are told to endure hardships by those who have never known them.
We are taught freedom by those who seek to keep mankind in chains.
We are taught how to live by those long dead inside.
We are fed words of peace by those who sow war.
We are called to unity by those who divide and scatter people – spreading only hatred and strife.
We are frightened by darkness by those who dwell within it.
We are taught justice by those whose hands are stained with blood.
We are instructed in dignity by those who long ago sold their souls, their honor, and their conscience for money and power.
We are taught courage by those who hide behind others’ backs.
We are taught loyalty by those who betray every day.
We are silenced by those who fear the truth.

They persuade us that black is white,
and evil – merely “another point of view.”
We are taught humanity by those who have forgotten the human face.
We are judged by those who themselves deserve judgment for lawlessness.
We are taught compassion by those who know nothing of mercy.
We are taught decency by those who have betrayed everything sacred within themselves.

And when you speak the truth, they will call you mad,
they will brand you an “enemy,”
because you are not like them.
For to them, truth is a threat, and honesty a weapon.
He who sees the world without masks will always seem insane among the blind.
When lies become the norm, a straight word sounds like rebellion.

God, your family, and the people you love – and your own life itself – these are your three highest callings and priorities.
Never betray them or your conscience, even when the loud minority – or the blind majority – tries to convince you to live in opposition to your beliefs.
Do not let anyone dictate how you should think, believe, speak, or live;
do not let them define whether you are “right” or “wrong.”

Do not lose your faith or your conscience.
Do not be afraid to speak the truth and to live by it, even if it inconveniences others.

You will always be “wrong” in the eyes of some group or some system if your goal is truth – and not lies or flattery.
That is why, long ago, I decided for myself:
whatever you do, whatever you say, however you live –
weigh your actions and your words before God, your conscience, and your humanity.

If your convictions and your deeds do not violate these,
if they do not harm others or bring evil into the world,
then pay no heed to the noise.
Do your work. Speak what you believe.
Live as your soul commands –
not as others try to impose upon you,
not according to the alien ideologies they demand you follow.

For these people did not give you your life,
and they will not answer for it before God.
And certainly, they have no right to rule over it.

Even God does not violate the freedom of human choice –
how then can men presume to do so?
Especially when their “truth” is immoral, when it brings evil, and contradicts everything that faith and Christ have taught you.

For public opinion is often no lighthouse,
but a cluster of wandering lights.
You can never please everyone.

Only truth and integrity matter.
Do not lose your faith or your conscience.
And do not fear to speak the truth and to live for it.

Truth does not dwell where the crowd gathers.
Truth abides where there is righteousness – and God.

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