Why can’t we be free like the wind?
Question:
Last month I watched a movie, I just forgot if it's Chinese or Japanese movie, basically, it tells a story about an orphan girl was adopted by an ex-swordman, who raised other nine little kids along with her to prepare for a mission when they grow up -- wipe out three warlords to bring peace to this war-torn country. He trained them using swords, and when the big day comes, he gave them the final test: He told them to pair off the person they like the most, and kill each other, reducing ten kids to five. The reason is: If you can't kill the person you love the most, it indicates you're not strong enough, which means you can't accomplish the mission either.
When they went by a small village, they stood by when the bandits slaughtered the whole village, though they were capable of killing these bandits, the reason is: You can't change this country by killing off a few hundred bandits. When one of the kids got poisoned by the enemy, his master left him dying there, the other kids didn't want to leave him, so he slashed himself to let them go. When the bandits were trying to rape the main actress, she killed them all: Though I've been escaping, I can't escape from killing, I don't want to kill, but I have to. I can't live till today without my master, I was supposed to die 10 years ago.
You know sometimes I'm confused with which one is better -- do whatever you want to do, never look back, or follow this dogma, that dogma, live a boring life. We can live only once, right? Why can't we be free like the wind?
Answer:
Just because a system of belief is being presented in a film, it doesn't mean that dogma actually would work in real-life. It is a common flaw in man-made ethic systems, they rarely work. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Imagine being lost in the woods and you want to find your way out. If it were totally up to you, you will likely stay lost in the woods. You wouldn't be in the position of selecting a better course because you are lost. The person who can consistently select a better course is the one farther view and knows where you need to go. In the same way, mankind, left on their own, isn't able to improve themselves.
There is even a scientific law that states the same -- the second law of Thermodynamics states that entropy (disorder) increases unless acted upon by an outside influence. Man, left on their own, has a strong tendency to morally decay.
Paul talks about this in the Romans. "Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). Even though people started out knowing God, they chose to forget about God and instead replaced him with foolish creations of their own imagination. Since they were "making the rules," one of the first restrictions on behavior that is thrown out is restrictions on sex. "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves" (Romans 1:24). When that became old, restrictions against perverted sex was thrown off. "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions" (Romans 1:26). Eventually, the lack of rule brought about complete decay of any restriction on behavior. "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful" (Romans 1:28-31).
If everyone completely did their own thing, who could say that one man may not kill another simply because he felt like doing so? What would stop any and all crimes from happening?
I find it interesting that you assume that following rules would be boring. I would prefer apparent boredom to living in "interesting times" of violence. "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her" (Proverbs 3:13-18)