Masks (Pt 2)

But (ha, you just knew there was a but there somewhere, huh?) are masks really a bad thing? I suppose if you are a humanist, and believed that deep down inside of all of us humans that we’re all really, really good people, then yeah, masks are bad. As impressionable teenagers, there’s no need to put up a “front” for people to like us. If we’re ourselves, there’s bound to be people who will like us. And those are your true friends, the ones who like you for you. And this is “The More You Know” segment of my blog. Looking at it this way, it’s a self-esteem issue. We don’t have to wear masks and pretend to be something we’re not.

However, are we good people deep down inside? Do you really want to see the inner-being of people, without masks?

Have you ever read comic-books, or even, seen any of the X-men movies? (Wow when did geek become chic?) Remember Professor X (aka Captain Picard) who could read everyone's minds? That's what it would be like if no one wore any masks. It won't be a paradise like all those motivational spiritual leaders think it would be. Sure, there would be no more misunderstandings, but that won't mean no more wars or fights. Think of it. A couple passes you by, and you notice the beautiful girl hanging on the arm of the loser. Rather than carefully keeping your face neutral and eyes straight ahead, you instead are leering and ogling the girl (OK, if you're a girl obviously flip all the sexes. ) . One of two things is going to happen: a) The girl is repulsed and the guy kicks your ass or b) The girl enjoys it and the guy kicks your ass. Either way, your butt is going to be sore. Or even imagine the president, instead of putting on his "politician" mask, tells you exactly what is going on in his heart. He's invading Iraq because he can, and he needs an excuse to put more money into military spending. (Ok, this is just an "example" people! Put down those arms and back away slowly...)

We need masks. It's what allows humans to co-exist in a society. We are not good people deep down inside. We have to put up a mask or else no one will like us. Truly, and honestly. We are all sinners, we were born a sinner, we're going to die a sinner. But even the masks sometimes aren't enough to cover up the evil that is inside us, kinda like no matter how much perfume you put on a rotting corpse, it's still a rotting corpse, only with a thick layer of floral stench.

Also, masks are not just protection for us. If you turn the situation on it's side, really, what is a mask, but a role you play. Just like Bruce Wayne donning the Bat-suit, he became Batman. Just like me donning Spiderman, I became... well... crazy, but still! The point is somewhat the same. A mask is another role, and even the Bible says that's a good thing. Look at these verses in 1 Tim 3:1-7. How many roles do you see in that one man? I count at least 3. First the role is obviously the overseer of the church. But what else? He needs to be a good husband, and third a good father. That's three different roles or masks. The wife doesn't see an overseer, (well at least not in today's post-feminist society!), she sees a loving husband. And the children obviously don't see a husband, they see a stern but loving father. Three different roles, hats, masks, but all just one person.