Silence equals consent.
I often wonder what was happening to a nation’s conscience when the N-zi’s were coming to power, and then took power in Germany.
‘Tis true that the N-zi’s came to dominate the media and that they were past masters at intimidation of their opponents (to say the least). Dachau, the very first concentration camp was built for political opponents of the regime.
‘Tis also true that some brave women and men resisted that tyranny right from the beginning, and paid for that resistance with their lives.
But the vast majority either actively supported the regime, or supported it with their silence. That silence was deadly.
Loyalty to the Fuhrer became the dominant national religion and creed.
The whole weight of the N-zi propaganda machine was placed into action to vilify and demonise gypsies, communists, gays, and most especially Jews. They were portrayed as rats and vermin.
That vilification paved the way for anti-Jewish laws, which in turned paved the railway to the death camps.
America’s dominant national creed is “national security”. Almost every regressive and repressive action by our Government is justified by this creed.
And there is vilification of “others”, the first step in a dangerous road.
We have a Department of Homeland Security (the very name sends chills down my back), and it’s Chairman recently had this to say.
Michael Chertoff …… defended the construction of the (Mexico) border fence, by arguing that it’s good for the environment. “Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I’ve seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas,” he said. “And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment.” October 1, 2007
Quite apart from the sheer incongruity of any member of our governing regime caring for the environment (!), you might see where this would go: viz, “immigrants are dirty, immigrants spread disease; immigrants are lazy, (the latter being a part of received but untested common wisdom in the States) let's get rid of immigrants.
The sub-text is of course “Mexican immigrants” (Cuban immigrants are to be feted at every level).
A parishioner once asked me “Michael, what do you thinks about all these immigrants?” I replied “do you mean me?” (Of course he didn’t).
Much of the vilification and demonising is fueled by our quite appalling talk radio which has been hi-jacked by the extreme right.
One of right wing talk show hosts is Ann Coulter, (she who described John Edwards as a “fag”).
Ann is a self professed born again Christian. In mid October she suggested that America would be a better place if all Jews became Christians. The clear implication was that America would be a better place without Judaism.
I believe that to be a dangerous and incendiary point of view. It is a very bad idea.
I long to hope that good ideas will drive out the bad, so this is the letter which I sent to our local newspaper today. Who knows if it will be published, but I wanted you to read it. I do not count myself amongst the silent majority.
Dear Editor
Please excuse me if I have missed any letters or editorial comments regarding Ann Coulter's notions on Judaism which she expressed during the week of October 8th on the CNBC show "The Big Idea"
Miss Coulter expressed that America would be a better place if we were all Christians. That is a chilling thought for those of us who are aware of the history of the German Third Reich.
She also stated that Christians are "perfected Jews".
As a Christian Pastor I believe that no Jewish person needs to be "perfected" by Christianity. Judaism is a wonderful faith which all Christians should honor.
Christians are not "perfected Jews". Although our faith took root in the rich soil of Judaism, it is now a faith unto itself.
And I note that Jesus of Nazareth never called any of his listeners, Jews or Gentiles to become Christians. In fact, Jesus was never a Christian himself!
Yours sincerely,
The Revd. J. Michael Povey
‘Tis true that the N-zi’s came to dominate the media and that they were past masters at intimidation of their opponents (to say the least). Dachau, the very first concentration camp was built for political opponents of the regime.
‘Tis also true that some brave women and men resisted that tyranny right from the beginning, and paid for that resistance with their lives.
But the vast majority either actively supported the regime, or supported it with their silence. That silence was deadly.
Loyalty to the Fuhrer became the dominant national religion and creed.
The whole weight of the N-zi propaganda machine was placed into action to vilify and demonise gypsies, communists, gays, and most especially Jews. They were portrayed as rats and vermin.
That vilification paved the way for anti-Jewish laws, which in turned paved the railway to the death camps.
America’s dominant national creed is “national security”. Almost every regressive and repressive action by our Government is justified by this creed.
And there is vilification of “others”, the first step in a dangerous road.
We have a Department of Homeland Security (the very name sends chills down my back), and it’s Chairman recently had this to say.
Michael Chertoff …… defended the construction of the (Mexico) border fence, by arguing that it’s good for the environment. “Illegal migrants really degrade the environment. I’ve seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas,” he said. “And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment.” October 1, 2007
Quite apart from the sheer incongruity of any member of our governing regime caring for the environment (!), you might see where this would go: viz, “immigrants are dirty, immigrants spread disease; immigrants are lazy, (the latter being a part of received but untested common wisdom in the States) let's get rid of immigrants.
The sub-text is of course “Mexican immigrants” (Cuban immigrants are to be feted at every level).
A parishioner once asked me “Michael, what do you thinks about all these immigrants?” I replied “do you mean me?” (Of course he didn’t).
Much of the vilification and demonising is fueled by our quite appalling talk radio which has been hi-jacked by the extreme right.
One of right wing talk show hosts is Ann Coulter, (she who described John Edwards as a “fag”).
Ann is a self professed born again Christian. In mid October she suggested that America would be a better place if all Jews became Christians. The clear implication was that America would be a better place without Judaism.
I believe that to be a dangerous and incendiary point of view. It is a very bad idea.
I long to hope that good ideas will drive out the bad, so this is the letter which I sent to our local newspaper today. Who knows if it will be published, but I wanted you to read it. I do not count myself amongst the silent majority.
Dear Editor
Please excuse me if I have missed any letters or editorial comments regarding Ann Coulter's notions on Judaism which she expressed during the week of October 8th on the CNBC show "The Big Idea"
Miss Coulter expressed that America would be a better place if we were all Christians. That is a chilling thought for those of us who are aware of the history of the German Third Reich.
She also stated that Christians are "perfected Jews".
As a Christian Pastor I believe that no Jewish person needs to be "perfected" by Christianity. Judaism is a wonderful faith which all Christians should honor.
Christians are not "perfected Jews". Although our faith took root in the rich soil of Judaism, it is now a faith unto itself.
And I note that Jesus of Nazareth never called any of his listeners, Jews or Gentiles to become Christians. In fact, Jesus was never a Christian himself!
Yours sincerely,
The Revd. J. Michael Povey
(Lost my first comment, Michael.) Keep at it, man! And thanks for doing so; these are dangerous times. GD
ReplyDelete