How much do you trust large institutions?
These institutions may be government, religion, or business. A trusted institution may not be serving the best long-term interests of those who support it. The institution may be teaching its followers one set of moral principles while acting in ways that contradict what it professes to believe.
Government: There are many veterans who fought for their country in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They risked their lives doing what they believed was in the best interest of their country. Unfortunately, their country did not return that trust.
The Vietnam War was fought based upon a false premise that the United States needed to stop the spread of Communism. This was referred to as the Domino Theory—if Vietnam fell, then all of Southeast Asia would collapse, one country after the other. We fought in Vietnam to prove to our allies and enemies that we would defend our values; that we were a dependable leader of the Free World. South Vietnam fell to North Vietnam in 1975. While Cambodia suffered atrocities under the Communist leader Pol Pot, the Domino Theory did not play out the way it was predicted. Now, 45 years later we trade with North Vietnam. Does that make any sense?
As a result of that war, thousands of Americans and Vietnamese died needlessly. Others contracted cancers and multiple sclerosis due to the use of the defoliant Agent Orange. In the Second Iraq War, American soldiers were exposed to depleted nuclear tank shells. Some became infertile as a result. Others died. Some American G.I.s got diseases and died from the burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Biden’s son died from burn pit exposure.
Religion: How many children were sexually abused by their priests in the Catholic Church? The Church covered up the abuse, passing on abusive priests to other parishes rather than reveal the crimes. This abuse went on for decades.
How many Southern Baptist leaders sexually molested their followers? In a 2022 NPR report, Fresh Air commentator Terry Gross noted: “A report issued just over a week ago confirmed that survivors who came forward alleging they were sexually abused by church leaders, ministers, workers and volunteers were ignored or silenced by church leadership and often disparaged. Meanwhile, the church kept a secret list of over 700 offenders.”
Again, the goal was to protect the organization rather than do the right thing. Their leaders preyed upon the trust and vulnerability of youth they were supposed to help and encourage.
Business: How long has the tobacco industry resisted efforts to be regulated because it would cut into its profits? How about the pharmaceutical companies that peddled opium to unwary patients through profit-seeking doctors? How many loved ones died and continue to die as a result?
What about the tech giants who have made their cell phones intentionally addictive, and who collected raw data on millions of their customers and then sold the data for billions of dollars without the knowledge or permission of their customers? How many teen suicides have occurred because of the way social media allows their young customers to develop poor self-images in order to increase their bottom lines?
What about the sports scandals where young women were sexually abused by their doctors and trainers? The list could go on.
These large institutions can and have done a great deal of good and are necessary, but they have also wreaked much damage. Their leaders tend to be made up of corrupt, ignorant and short-sighted individuals who are quick to take advantage of their power and status.
For the most part, they cannot be trusted. Since those big institutions are so large, there is not much individuals can do to bring about positive change. Our responsibility as adults is to be vigilant when it comes to our children, grandchildren, our elderly, and ourselves.
If these institutions claim to be acting in our best interests, we should follow President Reagan’s admonition when he was dealing with the Soviet Union and nuclear disarmament—trust and verify.
