Is Man's Search For a Better Life Really Worth It?

In 2009 a Bruce Willis movie came out called Surrogates. Though it did not receive the best reviews it did present an interesting concept akin to the blockbuster Avatar. In the movie the world has become dependent upon surrogate human like robots. People are allowed to stay in the comfort of their own homes while living their lives outside through robots.

Sounds pretty cool! A result of this a person can do just about anything they ever dreamed of. They can be and look like whoever they want. They can live vicariously without having to worry about physical harm and yet be able to enjoy all kinds of physical pleasures. It is taking the current phenomenon of virtual social networking to a new level!!

What I find interesting is that at the beginning of the movie it says that such widespread use of surrogates has actually made mankind better. Two things that are mentioned specifically are the decrease in sexually transmitted disease and a rapid decline in crime. I can understand the decrease in sexually transmitted disease, but could the use of surrogates really lead to a decrease in crime?

Man is continually searching for a "better quality of life." Real research is being done that actually gives promise to making such things a reality, but at what cost? Though many don't see it, the true plague of humankind is selfishness. Wouldn't the development of such surrogates actually make things worse?

God has allowed consequences that result from sinful behavior to exist. Sexually transmitted disease is just one of those consequences. Such consequences act as a deterrent for many people. The thought of death is another deterrent. The reality that a person's life could be ended by involving one's self in bad behavior keeps many people from doing destructive things. In essence, a lot of selfishness is kept in check (even though it seems that more and more people seem to be less concerned about the consequences).

What would life look like if all of the consequences were completely taken away? I think the answer is we would be living in a selfish chaotic immoral society. Immorality would abound. Even though the movie suggests the crime rate would go down it does hint at the increased immorality that undoubtedly would take place.

Just as the world misses the point so does this movie. The movie camps out on a theme that says that quality of life is most important. What was thought to be the boon of mankind soon becomes the plague...in the eyes of the very inventor of these machines!! I would contend that the more important theme would be the loss of the last vestiges of morality our world clings onto.

Will man ever truly come to the point where such things could happen? If history is any indicator I would say no. It seems that God has always put a stop to such advancements before they got too out of hand. God flooded the earth when the human race became too full of themselves. He discouraged unifying language when the human race thought they could ascend to His throne and become an equal. I believe he will prevent mankind from developing technology that would virtually make it a race of gods.

More importantly, as we search to better our lives we need to ask the question "For what reason?" and another important question "To what consequence?" There is a hope in our future as Christians that promises an end to pain and suffering and a beginning of new life lasting for eternity. It is for this reason that we should be content in whatever situation we find ourselves while living this life here on earth. This is a temporary place. If we really want to seek to better lives it should be done by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't know him. To make anything else the focus of life is truly folly.