Is Fascism Possible in America ?

Since the terrorist attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001 we increasingly hear both politicians and religious leaders referring to terrorists as islamofascists. This idiom is comparatively new to our English language. Is fascism on the move in our nation? Is the real danger to our freedoms as Americans from within or from outside our nation? Is Islamofascism a real force to be dealt with in our country? Whether we like to admit it or not since the 9-11 attacks there has been a growing suppression of our individual freedoms and rights as Americans. We’ve heard reports of government sanctioned torture. People have been and continue to be imprisoned without the benefit of due process of the law. It appears that new scapegoats are being used to frighten the citizenry of our nation. Today our nation is engaged, either formally or informally, in war across the globe. We immediately think of Afghanistan and Iraq. But what about our rattling of bomb threats toward other nations? We are engaged in some way or other in Pakistan, parts of Africa, the Philippines, Colombia, Venezuela and other places worldwide.

It appears that much of the American population believes that war is the answer . . . but is it? Personally, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I think not. I am convinced that the disciples of our Lord should be peacemakers, not warmongers. See – Matt. 5:9.

Another Germany?

Is our country being duped by its political leaders? In 1935 the writer Sinclair Lewis wrote in his book “It Can’t Happen Here”,

“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”

The infamous monster Adolf Hitler wrote the following words early in his rise to power in Germany,

The mustached sociopath used the German churches and German nationalism to accomplish his demonic deeds.

Could this happen in America? Does not the above quote from Hitler sound very similar to what we hear today from some Christian leaders?

Now don’t brand me as some sort of kook and an alarmist. I am first and foremost a Christian. Not just a church member but I love God and I love my native land. However, I am very concerned as to what I see happening in this country of ours. I fear that which happened so subtly in Germany could happen in the USA. The churches and Christians, especially the theologically conservatives, appear to be the prime movers of this creeping menace in our nation. Some Christians and their churches seem to believe that so-called “Christian America” has been given a divine mandate to militarily police the world. An unscriptural theology known as “Reconstructionism” or “Kingdom Now” is diligently working for a theocratic America in which Christians will reign and rule our nation. Their goal would then be to institute the Levitical laws calling for capital punishment for numerous violations of these laws that would become the law of the land. This is a dangerous heresy. The Church of Jesus Christ promotes the Message of Grace, not law.

For the record I am a theological conservative in my belief system. I believe and accept the Bible as the uniquely God-breathed written Word of God. I accept the fundamentals of the historic biblical faith. However, I do not buy into much of what is commonly being promoted by many theological conservative leaders today. I do not equate partisan politics, whether Republican or Democrat, with our Christian Faith. I reject much of what is being fostered upon Christians from both “the Religious Right” as well as “the liberal left.” As an evangelical Christian I am especially concerned and troubled by what I see happening among evangelicals. I have a bumper sticker on my car that reads: “God is not a Republican or a Democrat!” God is not even an American. God is God! God is Creator, Lord, Ruler and Sovereign of the universe.

Satan is alive and well in the USA:

Satan, the arch-enemy of God and of God’s people, has an agenda. He is out to destroy both the Jews and believing Christians. He hates the Gospel and continues to do all within his power to hinder, pervert and water-down the power of the Gospel of Christ. It is not beyond his abilities to use Christians to accomplish his agenda. I am convinced that many sincere, well-meaning Christians are being deceived. Many Christians believe that what they are supporting is God’s will when in reality what they are hearing and believing is at odds with the message of our Lord as recorded in the Sermon on the Mount. See – Matthew chapters 5, 6 & 7.

The Church has been commanded by our Lord to take the Message of the Good News of the Gospel to the entire world. See – Rom. 1:16-17; Matt. 28:18-20. Satan will do all within his power to hinder the spread of the Gospel. He knows that it is only through the believing and receiving of the Gospel that men and women come into a living, vital, personal relationship with God. When he can get the eyes of believers off of their priority of sharing the Gospel onto political issues Satan has accomplished his goal.

It appears to me that many American evangelicals have become so consumed with issues such as abortion, prayer in schools, same-sex marriage, the ACLU, etc. that they have become sidetracked from their priority in sharing the Gospel.

The “they” and “them” mentality:

The method used by Adolf Hitler to introduce his fascist agenda into Germany was to create “them”, i.e. a perceived enemy. Once a people can be convinced “of them” they become driven by fear. I believe that we Americans are being hyped by many of our religious and political leaders. It appears that many people see the devil under every rock. As I mentioned earlier in this booklet the recently coined term “Islamofascism” and “Islamofascist” have entered our language and are being used by many as scare tactics.

Many people in our nation are buying into what we are being groomed to believe by some political and religious leaders. How anyone could possibly conceive that Iran could take over the world is unbelievable. The gross domestic product of Iran is about the same as that of the state of Connecticut. The government of Iran has a military budget roughly the same as Sweden. The Iranian government is indeed evil. However, aggressive warfare on our part as a nation does not seem to be the solution. Why aren’t Christians on their knees and praying more rather than trusting in ungodly methods?

Some of the leaders in our nation appear to be preparing us to once again commit aggression upon Iran by bombing them. But what will this accomplish? Undoubtedly it will make that nation seen by the rest of the Islamic world as a solidifying force. Without reinstituting a draft system we’ve not enough troops to invade additional countries.

Many political and Religious Right leaders are promoting fear-mongering. Many Christians are buying into this fear. To continue to stir-up the nation the rhetoric continues to emanate from various religious and political sources about the Axis of Evil and the war on terror.

Even as in Hitler’s Germany of yesteryear there needed to be a scapegoat in like manner our government with the aid of many powerful religious leaders keep harping on the scapegoats we’ve developed in our country. Those scapegoats periodically change. The Nazis in German had the Jews. They also had other minority groups that they lashed their evil upon including the gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, the mentally impaired and others.

Who do we Americans have?

We have several scapegoats. I am amazed at how difficult it is to find a church today that has not in some way or other jumped on the bandwagon in its condemnation of various groups. For many years it has been liberal Jews, gays and lesbians, socialists, unionists, feminists, people with AIDS, the homeless, the poor, etc. Earlier in our nation it was the various groups of immigrants who came to our shores such as the Irish, the Italians, Asians, etc. Since 9-11 those who are on the target list include Muslims, both at home and overseas. The newest scapegoats on this infamous listing are those who have crossed our southern border in order to find a better way for living life. The new scapegoats are specially “brown-skinned” Mexicans who have slipped into our midst. And why have they come to live among us? Many believe it is because much of the so-called American Elite have and continue to rape their native land. They are now being referred to as “illegal aliens.” It is true that they have not taken the time to wait and wade through the bureaucracy of paper work to enter legally. However, when many of our ancestors came to these shores earlier in history they were not required to do the humongous paper work now required.

I am of the belief that part of the problem goes back to our racist attitudes as a nation. If the Mexicans and other Latin Americans were of fair complexion, blue eyes and blond hair they would not be the target they’ve become. The Germans under Hitler were turned into a nation of monsters. Is it possible that we, too, are being turned into a nation of monsters?

What’s happening to us as a nation?

I’m shocked as I find church after church buying into the agenda of the politicians. Not just the Religious-Right but also into the Left as well. I am amazed at the number of Christians who spread gossip and misinformation about people with AIDS, gays and lesbians, Muslims, Mexicans, people of color, and Native Americans. I could go on-and-on. It’s nearly impossible to find a church anywhere that does not in some way or other defame some group that if finds unacceptable. The method most often used is subtle when directed at the disenfranchised. To many it appears that the status quo must be defended and maintained at all costs. Tradition is alive and well within Christendom. See – Matthew chapter 23.

Many Christians declare that they cannot tolerate certain groups of people because they believe them to be involved in “unrighteous” activity. This by the way was the charge that Hitler made against the Jews in Germany. In fact, Hitler often quoted from the German Reformer Martin Luther who had lashed out in condemning the Jews. Though I admire much of what Luther stood for I believe that he erred greatly in a number of areas especially in his lashing out at both the Jews and the Anabaptists. Unfortunately Luther was a man of his times.

I personally deplore abortion. Yet, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am to love the abortionist. Without God’s love our faith loses validity in the eyes of an unbelieving world. Christlike love is to be displayed to even those groups of people with whom we may disagree with. What better weapon do we have than love? Not bombs, not threats, not hatred, but love for God and love for our neighbors whoever they are and wherever they live. Godly love does not necessarily mean that I agree with a certain belief, action or group. However, it does set aside authentic Christians from the religionists and politicians of the world.

Fascism in America:

Does fascism have a chance to succeed in America? What we’ve experienced taking place within our nation during the last few administrations is frightening. It happened in Germany. In developing the Third Reich Hitler needed one-third of Germany’s population to accomplish his goal. And guess what? He got it. About the same percentage of Americans appear to be part of a similar effort to “cleanse” our nation as they envision it to become “a Christian nation.”

Unless and until bona fide believers in Jesus Christ wake up to what’s happening in our midst as a nation we, too, like the Germans may be joining forces with those who actively pursue the alleged scapegoats. Christians must refrain from joining forces with those who may well intensify their defamation and vilification of the so-called “secular-humanist” community, Muslims, the “illegals” in our midst, etc.

Christian friend whatever you do be aware. Don’t close your eyes to what may and could happen in our midst. Defend the human rights of every person and every group whether you agree with them or not . . . remember you are a disciple of Jesus Christ if you have received him into your life. Don’t allow your church or pastor to condemn, lash-out or be vicious toward any group. Prejudice, racism, and phobias unfortunately consume too many Christians.

Will fascism overwhelm our nation? I do not have an answer to this. However, I am not paranoid. I know that God continues to reign and is in control come what may.