why do we hate do-gooders?

I had an talk with an educated, intelligent human being today.

Just the mention of human rights activism seemed to arouse his greatest ire. I wondered why! He did not seem to be angry with people who killed other people, or with exploitation or racism or anything which he personally may have been a victim of. His greatest anger is reserved for the ‘activist’; who at the most may be indirectly trying to better his life, do his environment some good, make the world a more secure place for his children or at the very worst can be counted as a harmless eccentric who will never be able to harm him. (Through free will or circumstances or lack of monetary resources).

I have often noticed that the same intense anger displayed by other people when confronted with individuals or organizations who may be trying to do the world some good (however misguided it may be). Not disagreement, not sarcasm—just intense passionate anger.

This led to a related thought. Has somebody ever realized that it is the pacifist ‘do-gooders’ who have been killed and murdered throughout history? People like Jesus, Gandhi, and ..??. ( at least these are the people who come to mind immediately) Men and women who were trying to do better for humanity (not for themselves); who tried not to harm anybody, and fought for equality for others. Isnt it weird that such people should attract the greatest ire of human beings.

On the other hand, human beings who have been evil dictators, responsible for the death of millions, wars, and corruption, have seldom died a horrible death. Hitler committed suicide. Nero probably died of senile old age. Pontius pilates was executed I think—but for a totally unrelated reason and the Jewish priests who demanded the crucifixion probably died content old men. Lots of middle class Indians seem to be happy that Gandhi was assassinated. And I personally have never read of any Ku Klus Klan member ever being murdered.

Even if the people preaching goodness and kindness were misguided and foolish—since their ideas are utopian and their power limited—at the most they should have been the butt of jokes, or be ignored or simply called imbalanced. What is it about their ideas that make them so hated that they are killed? Whereas the men who have in actuality harmed other people, killed or exploited so many—don’t invite equal (not to mention a much higher level ) hatred from society?

I am truly perplexed. Does anybody have an answer to this?

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