“Banality” – the condition of being unoriginal or boring.
The residents of the area in which I live were devastated last year to discover that a pillar of our community had been arrested. Multiple lewd and inappropriate charges came to the surface. Many people respected this individual and business owner. In the days that followed, news articles and exclamations of shock filled my social media feed.
“You can’t trust anyone anymore,” one person declared while sharing an article about the arrest.
I met the individual in question several times over the years. Quiet, unassuming, and unremarkable would be the ways in which I would describe him.
When I was in college, I read “Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil,” by Hannah Arendt. Arendt, a Jew, details the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the organizers of the Holocaust. When we reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust, or any human tragedy for that matter, we often think that the brains behind these operations must be outwardly sick and malicious individuals. But combining court testimony with historical observations about Eichmann’s life, Arendt concluded, “Eichmann was actually not a fanatic or a sociopath, but instead an average and mundane person who did not think for himself. He was motivated by professional promotion rather than ideology, and believed in success which he considered the chief standard of “good society.” Banality, in this sense, does not mean that Eichmann’s actions were in any way ordinary, but that his actions were motivated by a sort of complacency which was wholly unexceptional.”
While Adolf Eichmann might have had anti-Semitic leanings, Arendt argued that he showed no insane hatred towards Jews. He had been, however, a “joiner” his entire life. He constantly joined organizations in order to define his identity, and rarely thought for himself. Arendt noted that Eichmann’s actions were not driven by malice, but rather by a blind dedication to the Nazi regime.
While none of us have been at the helm of one of the greatest atrocities in human history, in our efforts to belong, to fit in, to receive a desired position, or to fulfill a gratification, can we exclaim with confidence that we have never committed an act that we were not proud of?
Have we refrained from gossip? Have we refrained from jealous or hateful thoughts? Have we black-balled another individual with our words or accusations? Have we displayed mean-spirited actions just to feel better about ourselves? Have we knowingly become inauthentic in order to fit in? Did we ignore our instincts for the sake of going along with the crowd?
Like the well-known member of the community whom I mentioned earlier, how many people outwardly present a respectable facade, while inwardly succumbing to and feeding a sinful longing? And as they continue to feed that sinful longing, does a domino effect occur, where one temptation opens the door to another, tumbling them out of control?
“… but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15.)
While the residents of my region may have been shocked and horrified by the news we received last year, my thoughts immediately drifted to “the banality of evil.”
Ordinary people living ordinary lives, yet tempted to sin by their own undisclosed yearnings.
Sometimes, the face of evil will be apparent to us, signaling us to stay away.
At other times, evil will not always be easy to recognize; it may well present itself as unoriginal or boring.
How can followers of Christ recognize wickedness in the world when it hides under a veil of self-effacement?
When we remain close to God through reading the Word and through prayer, we can receive His wisdom and protection. As much as we would like to be trusting of individuals whom we do not yet truly know, we must utilize discernment and sound judgment.
“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.” – George Washington
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
And though we are called to navigate life with caution and awareness to the sinfulness around us, we are simultaneously instructed to be salt and light to a fallen word.
The Apostle Paul commanded this of Christians: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:15-21)
Paul further writes, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” (Ephesians 5:11-12)
We are called to show the love of Christ even while setting safe boundaries. We are to avoid that which is dishonorable. We are to trust in knowing that God will avenge wrongdoings. And we are to reveal evil whenever we encounter it.
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke