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"Does society need heroes?"

A man enters a burning building and rescues a child he doesn’t know, for most of us these actions are truly heroic, but is this the stuff of heroes? Is it important to have people like this in our midst? Does society need heroes?

In my mind there are 2 types of heroes, role model heroes, like the emergency service workers who save people on a daily basis, and the larger than life heroes, like Winston Churchill during the war. We need these enormous figures whom we cannot possibly identify with in times of peril to stand as pillars of society and Raleigh the nation for the greater good.

In our everyday lives people look to Athletes, Servicemen, Emergency service workers and even Popstars to see what the human spirit is capable of. In daily life when people are called to act bravely, they do, when people are in need others come forward, which I think is indicative of our good nature.

I think we have a very negative view that things are going wrong and the world hates us, so when we see a hero who has done something we can admire it makes us feel expanded in what we can be, so in this respect t plays a positive role. But sometimes the media will distort it in negative ways, the Editor of the Daily Bugle in Spider-man for example.

If we take the King of Rock, Elvis, there are undoubtedly people who would call him a hero. He was handsome, had a great singing voice and also dedicated a lot of his time and money to charity works in Memphis. However I feel he was not so much a hero but more an idol or role model.

In comparison the Princess or Wales had the Royal mystique but was also seen to struggle in the face of hardship, so whilst she had the Royal Aires and noble birth, we had a basic point in which we could identify with to a certain extent. Cynically we can say she was no more than a star, she done nothing other than look pretty and be nice to people. She didn’t rescue people from burning buildings, or run 100M in 10 seconds. She took her responsibilities in the public eye seriously, more akin to the role of protagonist, in that she acted out the pains and concern that we had, but in the public eye.

Perhaps this appearance of working hard and doing good in the public eye is one of the most important aspects of being a hero. Certainly Spider-man and the fantastic four would not be of such hero quality if they sat around a table all day playing poker.

Furthermore if we think about the ultimate hero in the form of Jesus Christ. His life was nothing but good actions and intentions. He saved Humanity now that’s an achievement. However I do not regard him as a hero, his “Job” as it were was to do these good acts, just as an athlete would dismiss being a hero by saying it was “Their job”.

I feel heroism is defined by taking opportunistic acts of good, which are outside of the ordinary daily grind of that individual’s daily life. Circumstances such as these allow a person to show their true qualities, and I think society needs that.

Thanks for reading.

MoJoJoJo wrote:
> I don't have a problem with "religion" as a whole, as some
> religions are for the best. But most middle east religions cause a lot
> of suffering, and Christianity is a load of poop. Was forced to go to
> church when I was young, and I resent my parents and the church
> because of this

Is this why you started working out? So you could beat them up with your big muscles?

I don't have a problem with "religion" as a whole, as some religions are for the best. But most middle east religions cause a lot of suffering, and Christianity is a load of poop. Was forced to go to church when I was young, and I resent my parents and the church because of this

cookie monster wrote:
> I agree with this.

Thanks cookie!

cookie monster wrote:
> and the
> larger than life heroes, like Winston Churchill during the war.

Now there's a hero.

Lord H wrote:
> Wrong. It's my opinion, and it's a very good one. Religion is a load
> of rubbish, is usually the reason wars start and promotes hatred
> amongst people.

I agree with this.

True, Religion does seem to go against most of what it says (which I get VERY annoyed at!) etc, but most believers are peaceful, and follow it the right way.

Now, Bhudism - that is the way to go..........! ;-)

Lord H wrote:
> cookie monster wrote:
> Furthermore if we think about the ultimate hero in the form of Jesus
> Christ.
>
> Only a moron would consider him a hero. Or believe in him for that
> matter......



Sorry nh (hey my initials!) but I have to add my own comment!


So, morons are people who beleive? Then you are a very very sad person if you believe A) in nothing and B)consider others to be 'moronic' for following their beleifs, when quite obviously, you are moronic (cheers nh!)

Wrong. It's my opinion, and it's a very good one. Religion is a load of rubbish, is usually the reason wars start and promotes hatred amongst people.

Lord H wrote:
> cookie monster wrote:
> Furthermore if we think about the ultimate hero in the form of Jesus
> Christ.
>
> Only a moron would consider him a hero. Or believe in him for that
> matter......

Only a moron would post such a stupid comment.

Being a hero is doing something when you don't have to.

For example, in films the hero is often portrayed as someone who has no choice, they have to battle against the odds to save the world. That's not being a hero. That's doing what you have to do.

Everyone can do things if they have no other choice.

Being a hero is doint something when you DO have a choice. Like your example of someone going inside a burning building to save a child. They don't HAVE to do that, but they do it anyway.

Popstars aren't heroes, nor are any sort of stars. Why are they heroes for doing something that they are good at? Yes, people like David Beckham are role models for kids today, but they're not heroes. Not to me, anyway.