"A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste"

“A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste”

There is developing a deeper and deeper rift between government and those who cling to Judeo-Christian values. It is ludicrous to believe for even an instant that there can be some blissful marriage between government and Christians. Eventually, the dark hand of opposition and perhaps even persecution will reach out for Christians here in America. Christians in Europe seem to have become almost a non-factor as two other worldviews, humanism and Islam battle for supremacy.

When there is a desire for radical change in culture Hegelian’s Dialectic is often employed. The theory, in a simplified form, goes something like this: The first step (thesis) is to create a problem. The second step (antithesis) is to generate an angry or fearful resistance to the problem. The third step (synthesis) is to offer a solution that would not have been previously considered before employing steps one and two. This manipulation of the masses is a skill that has been used successfully by many governments.

A crisis can sometimes be manufactured or it can sometimes be a result of nature but opportunistic cultural warriors will jump at the chance to bring radical change by taking advantage of the fear and anger caused by the crisis. Isn’t this what Rahm Emmanuel meant when he said, “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste”?

Crisis such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City are all examples of events used to form attitudes and manipulate reactions among the population.

John Loeffler has written a book entitled “The Coming Persecution of Christians in the West.” Loeffler states that there are five stages in a coming persecution:

1. Define the opposition. Christians will be defined and targeted as Biblical literalists, fundamentalists, etc.

2. Marginalize the opposition. This is rather difficult in our culture because of the freedom of speech conservatives enjoy on talk radio and the internet. Expect the Fairness Doctrine and government control of the internet to be promoted.

3. Vilify the opposition. It’s not about open discussion and debate, it’s about vilification and ridicule. Christians are being pounded into submission by the twin clubs of diversity and political correctness.

4. Pass laws to criminalize activities of the opposition. Many laws have been passed in the last 30 years to subvert the influence of Christians. Christian clubs are prohibited in many public high schools. The intent is eventually to pass laws that prohibit the existence of the group or what the group does. (Prayer at high school football games)

5. Enforce new laws against the opposition. This finally becomes former persecution. An example might be a Christian minister going to jail because he preached against the immorality of homosexuality.

One might argue that we are at least to stage 3 and perhaps to stage 4. Barack Obama is a disciple of Saul Alinsky and rule #5 from his magnum opus “Rules for Radicals”: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then reacts to your advantage.”

Are conservative and God-fearing Americans being intimidated? We have been labeled “right-wing extremists” by the Department of Homeland Security. Fox News network was declared “not a legitimate news organization” by Obama. The Arizonans have been soundly vilified because they’ve decided to take things into their own hands and do what the federal government refuses to do, protect them from the invasion of gun-toting illegal immigrants.

Ridicule and vilification are used to muffle the mouths of young Christians sitting under liberal professors in our nation’s universities. Try speaking out against homosexuality or against abortion or against evolution and you will be soundly ridiculed and mocked by a professor who has no time for open debate or open minded analysis.

The worst thing that could happen would be for us to reward them with silence. We must speak now while we have opportunity to speak. If our values and beliefs are not worth speaking out for then we should look for a new worldview.