Halloween Costume

"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Earlier this week, a coworker was pondering what to wear as a Halloween costume. She had suggested dressing up as a Wall Street Banker, in order to represent the so-called 1%, popularized by the recent Occupy Wall Street movement. When she asked me what I thought, I agreed that she should do it because she already has a costume that is a type of business suit with fake money sown onto it. Therefore, it would eliminate her from having to spend time coming up with an idea. Somewhere in the conversation, I suggested that she dress up as one of the so-called 99%. However, she balked at that, claiming that she and I are one of the 99%. I disagreed with her and she was a bit shocked. She said, "Well, you're not one of the 1%, so you must be one of the 99%." I didn't accept her premise. I went on to explain to her that I am not a member of the 1% because I am not a thief, much less a wealthy one. I told her I am not a member of the 99% because I don't believe that I am entitled to the wealth of others because my life is not going to plan. When the subject of the 47% came up, I said I am not a member of that group either. The 47% is referencing a comment made by Presidential candidate Mitt Romney who said that 47% of American people "believe they are entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you name it." Again, I am not a member of this group of people a well because I do not believe it is the responsibility of others to provide for my healthcare, food, housing, etc. 

Granted, I probably gave her more information than she was expecting given the subject was a Halloween costume. But, I wanted to make a point about how we, as a people, automatically want to label others and throw them into a specific demographic because we and those around us have accepted the premise. I guess by doing this we can eliminate having to personally interact with others or entertain a different point of view. My motivation for trying to explain all this to her is based in a similar conversation I had following Mitt Romney's speech at the 2012 Republican Convention. After I heard his speech, I posted on my Facebook wall, "Great Speech, Mitt." It was not an endorsement of Governor Romney, but an acknowledgment that I agreed with what he tried to express in his speech. The ensuing conversation led to a friend of mine telling me that I was a member of the 99%. I couldn't believe how my friend would just assume because they believe they are a member of this group that I believe I am a member also. There seems to be a growing group of people who will readily accept an identity that is defined by taking from others. I like to think of it as, "I exist therefore, I deserve." Many of these people are hardworking individuals, but still have this mentality. Then politicians and the media play on it to keep the idea alive so they can profit off of the divisiveness that comes from it. 

It is difficult for some to believe, but there are people who are fully capable of working, but do not want to work and would rather rely on others to provide for their basic needs. If a person can find a way to live their life and sustain their life by not working, then they may choose to not work. In John 6, we have the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda. There is an interesting, but often missed exchange between Jesus and the man He would heal. "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well (John 5:6)?” Jesus asks the man if he wants to be healed, but the man's initial response is interesting. The man says, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me (John 5:7).” The man doesn't say, "Yes, I want to be healed," instead, he gives an excuse as to why he cannot get into the pool. Perhaps, in this man's mind it isn't a question of rather he wants to be healed, but they he cannot get into the water. Given the fact that he has been sick for thirty-eight years, one possible conclusion is that this man has found a way to live comfortably in his sickened state and is indifferent to getting the prospect of getting healed. Interesting enough, Jesus just heals the man rather than quibble with him about his answer. 

For sake of argument, let us say that I am correct in my assumption. Look how the man's life will change. He was in his sickened state for thirty-eight years. We do not know if that represents his entire life, but definitely most of it. Now, he has to go out into a world he is probably unfamiliar with and begin to fend for himself. He may have to find a place to live, since he most likely won't be staying near the pool any longer. And he will have to find some form of income, which means he will probably have to find work. Therefore, it stands to reason why he didn't say to Jesus that he wanted to be healed. I believe that is the case with many of these people who are labeled as the 99% and the 47%. Regardless of whether percentage is correct, there are people, like the man at the pool of Bethesda, that are comfortable with a meager existence, living off of the produce of others, even if it means taking it from them by force. Like I told my coworker, this is an attitude that I do not agree with, much less identify myself by it. I guess it is worthy of a costume, since it represents a an attitude that I believe is very scary.