Dystopia, utopia and the like – Lebanon Reporter

In a recent class of which I was a part, we were studying the subject of dystopia. Dystopia is an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. This was in contrast to the concept of utopia, which is an imaginary place in which the government, laws and social conditions are perfect as they relate to life and its possible perspective from which we live.

I inquired of a number of the participants how they felt about life and how they see their present life as it possibly relates to the concept of dystopia, utopia, or a third concept called reality. As it relates to the media, music and our everyday relationships, they indicated it seems that life is bent somewhat toward the dystopian concept. In the family units, or lack thereof, we feel far from a utopia with the epidemic of heroine overdoses and the cutting of the body for the purpose of substituting of one pain for a greater one. Although dystopia and utopia are both imaginary situations, we view them somewhat readily in our present world.

I have been taught all of my life about the utopia of heaven and the dystopia of hell. As a Christian believer and Christ follower, it is my faith in the Bible and the Resurrection of Christ that gives me my basis of belief and life. I do not believe in heaven as an utopian society, but rather as a designed place and plan for the people of God who have a established a relationship with him through Christ while living here on earth. I do not believe in hell as just a dystopian imaginary place, but rather a place of negative eternal damnation for those who have rejected the invitation of God to become related with him through Christ.

In a world of increased confusion that is seemingly diminished of hope and promise, I would take you back to one of my previous writings in this paper, when I talked about the particular world views from which we view life. Our world view is determined by the perspective from which we view life and all that is involved therein; in essence, whether we come from either a God-centered perspective or man-centered view. We are still in a world where the majority of the population believes in an afterlife. Heaven, hell or whatever you may call the life beyond death, it seems to fit into a thought process regarded as dystopia or utopia. This life is a test ground and a preparation for the life to come. The choices we make and relationships (both divine and human) in which we engage will set the direction and pattern of our utopian or dystopian stage for our eternal destiny.

Each day is another opportunity for writing the perspective and answering the questions that life presents us.

As you embark upon another day of life, I submit to you two passages from that ageless writing called the Bible. From the Old Testament: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) And from the New Testament: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

The realities of life are in the here and now. The questions of life and the answers of reality are before us to take or leave from our personal world view. Choose the God-centered view and be safe on the way.

Richard R. Burdett is a retired minister living in Lebanon.

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Dystopia, utopia and the like - Lebanon Reporter