Do you have faith in humanity?

[Writer]

Poll question: Do you have faith in humanity?

Use whatever definitions of "faith" and "humanity" that suit you.

[H2O Man]

1. Yes.

I surely do.

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Yes. Despite our flaws, we're the most interesting thing to happen to this planet in a long time.

We're primates that have been playing the civilization game for 10,000 years, maybe. If -big if- we creatively work our way through the current problems we have, if we keep using our brains, we have a bright future ahead of us IMHO.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. I have faith in humanity (in general), but not in the powerful and rich. nt

[GOPBasher]

4. Fuck No!!!!!!!!! What the hell would give me faith? Would it be:

Constant warfare? Terribly unequal distribution of resources? Ecologically unsustainable lifestyle, which will cause our demise shortly?

[Warren Stupidity]

5. No but I have hope for evolution.

[Arugula Latte]

6. I don't think humans are much different than other animals.

The veneer of civilization is thin indeed.

[htuttle]

19. I have faith that humanity will act like the carnivorous semi-evolved primates that we are

I think about half of most human communications are best conducted on all fours while barking loudly.

[Bright Eyes]

7. Not anymore.

[hisownpetard]

8. By "humanity," I assume you mean non-Republicans, right?

:shrug:

[LibDemAlways]

9. No. The older I get, the more I see, the less faith I have.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

10. Absolutely! However, I am sick to death of those who oppress it!!!

I know those effers will never go away but I sure look forward to the day when they finally get handed their own damn hats!!!

[panader0]

11. Yes. I think faith in humanity is part of the Democrat's creed.

[Clintonista2]

12. It's cheesy but, everytime a random stranger smiles at me, my faith in humanity grows a tiny bit

Overall, I have do have faith.

[patrice]

13. A whole bunch of people voted for * not just once, but twice, with hundreds of thousands of dead

Iraqis for a campaign platform. And they would BY GOD forget all about what is happening in Iraq if we let them.

I have faith in SOME of humanity, defninitely not all of it.

[nonconformist]

14. Yes, I do.

I also think that most people are good - many are just misguided is all.

I HAVE to believe that, lest I go insane.

[annabanana]

15. Yes. All it requires is good information

and the opportunity to do good.

[balantz]

16. I'd have to say no.

I have faith in what is present before me, which is the universe as it presents itself. What else is there? Anything else is thought constructs "about" something else beyond this right here in the realm of perception. Me and humanity and everything is occuring as an integral part of the universe. If you mean do I have faith that humanity will do all the right things and make a "saner" statement within the universe? Well, I guess anything seems to be allowed, or possible in the universe. It may boil down to the question of humanity's desire to accept that we all want to survive in a garden setting as equals, vs. just saying to hell with it and allow someone to push the buttons and be done with it all.

[mnhtnbb]

17. No.

[ixion]

18. Agent Smith of 'The Matrix' fame put it best: we're a virus

we invade a host and destroy it.

[elizfeelinggreat]

20. I do

I truly believe if we are INFORMED we make humane choices.
So it's not humanity that has me down, it's who is controlling the discourse.

[AndyTiedye]

21. "Of the People, by the People, for the People"

…does kind of require putting some faith in the people, doesn't it?

I am certainly not known in these parts as much of an optimist, but all the "no" votes here surprise me.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. I have faith that the human species will continue to act like the human species.

A minor species fighting for survival on a speck of a planet, circling a mediocre star, circling an unremarkable galaxy, that's one of billions of other galaxies, in a probably mediocre universe that's probably one of trillions of other universes.

We only think that we're important because we're fond of telling ourselves that we are.

[tech3149]

23. I have faith that humanity is possible for those that can open their minds

Those that can understand that their welfare is connected to the welfare of others are those that instill my faith. Those that can understand the hardships they have not had to endure support my faith.

I would define faith as supporting a philosophy that agrees with ones ethical basis even if there is no definitive proof that it is valid. Humanity, I would consider being a position that would offer all other living beings the same respect and consideration that they would wish from others.

[mondo joe]

24. Other: I consider faith a failing and avoid it as best I can.

[Initech]

25. Two terms of George W. Bush has definitely shaken my faith in humanity

:scared: :nuke:

[martymar64]

26. Humanity? Sometimes. Americans? Very Little.

This country has devolved into a pack of degenerate fat genocidal warmongering mush heads. We'll be better off breaking up into several countries instead of this bloated evil empire that we've become.
At this point, I'm ashamed for my country. We have truly and irreversibly lost our way and we're better off going the way of the Soviet union and dissolving the Federal Government.

[mitchum]

27. Well, I am a Swiftian misanthrope...

in that I despise humanity (including myself), but actually like people
I am a happy cynic. If one expects the worst from people, one can only be pleasantly surprised. And that is always better than being unpleasantly surprised.

[geomon666]

28. As a whole, humanity sucks.

We destroy everything we come into contact with. Land, sea, air, each other and other animals. When one of us tries to introduce real change, they are gunned down or ignored completely, becoming irrelevant. We can't even help ourselves. We're heading down a path we've created with global climate change that's going to kill millions if not billions of people over time and we haven't even taken a single step to stop it (no, changing your light bulbs to mercury laced ones and buying a hybrid that still needs gas to run, doesn't count).

Humanity at this point...I can only shake my head.

[usaftmo]

29. No. All the sheeple who voted for shrub

in 2000 made me lose what little faith I had in humanity.

I'm not sure which is worse: that incident or the people who voted for shrub in '04 knowing what a lousy pResident he is!

[MedleyMisty]

30. Not at all - I hate the species

We suck. A lot. We're all into hate and fear and death and cruelty and violence and selfishness and greed. Even the few good people just sit down and shut up and let the hordes of evil people ruin everything.

Honestly I don't feel like I'm a part of this species. When people say "All people are so and so." I've never thought that way or done anything like what they're saying all humans do in my life. I can't understand most people. Their brains are pretty much completely alien to me.

[blondeatlast]

31. Yes. nt

[alarimer]

32. No. I despise humanity

I loathe the human race. We should never have existed- the worst thing to happen to the planet and it will be a very good thing when we are gone. Hopefully soon enough for the earth to recover.

[cynatnite]

33. In the past many have shown great compassion and helped others....

my faith in humanity gets reaffirmed every time.

I'll never forget the outpouring from the world after Katrina. Despite the callousness of our own government, the rest of the country and the world were ready and willing to help.

[Seabiscuit]

34. Other.

If this poll is directed to Americans about America, I'd have to say "no". I've lost any "faith" I might have ever entertained in American culture, and in the notion that more than a relatively small minority of Americans actually embrace values that rise to the level of what I consider "humanity". I am simply disgusted with the levels of selfishness, irresponsibility, greed, lack of compassion, disdain for others-especially "furriners", wilfull ignorance and downright stupidity that I see all around me in America.

There are signs that the "humanity" I embrace is still alive and well in Europe, for the most part, but that's about as far as it goes. I may end up migrating there before my son is draftable age.

I'm well on my way into my seventh decade on this fragile planet, and I like what I see less and less with each passing year.