“And this is the thing about soft totalitarianism: It seduces those – even Christians – who have lost the capacity to love enduringly, for better or for worse. They think love, but they merely desire. They think they follow Jesus, but in fact, they merely admire him. Each of us thinks we wouldn’t be like that. But if we have accepted the lie of our therapeutic culture, which tells us that personal happiness is the greatest good of all, then we will surrender at the first sign of trouble.”
~Rod Dreher, Live Not By Lies
Live Not By Lies is a book that every American, especially the younger generation, should read. It was so eye-opening. Here in the west, we aren’t being conquered by hard, direct force. I believe, and hope, that if that was the case there would be uprisings and rebellion and revolution of the heart.
But we are being conquered by what the Rod Dreher refers to as soft totalitarianism. We have been lulled into sleep by comfort and the idea that we should never have to suffer.
But goodness, suffering is a part of the Christian life! We are called to take up our crosses and follow Jesus, not get rid of every little thing that hurts us.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
~1st Peter 4:12
“But truth cannot be separated from tears. To live in truth requires accepting suffering.”
He posed a question: what beliefs are you willing to die for? And goodness, it struck home because if I’m honest, do I have beliefs that I’m willing to give my life for? Do I feel that strongly about anything?
Our culture says that you should have whatever makes you happy. Anything that keeps you from that “freedom” should be removed. You’re not bound by ancient laws, or the opinions of others or even science. You can be whoever you want to be. You’re liberated. Self-fulfilment is the only thing that matters in life.
That idea will be the death of the US. We are being conquered by pleasure, rocked to death slowly and gently, like the frogs in the pot. Few will resist because how can you say no to something that looks so right on the outside, that feels so good and that sounds so similar to the truth?
“Today’s left-wing totalitarianism once again appeals to an internal hunger, specifically the hunger for a just society, one that vindicates and liberates the historical victims of oppression. It masquerades as kindness, demonizing dissenters and disfavored demographic groups to protect the feelings of “victims” in order to bring about “social justice.”
Dreher speaks on the importance of family and I couldn’t agree more.
“It’s no accident that every dictatorship always tries to break down the family, because it’s in the family that you get the strength to be able to fight,”
Family is key to the survival of a nation. Look up the insane figures for when fathers are absent from the home. As a friend of mine said, God>Fathers>Mothers>Children is how strong societies are formed.
The LGTBQ agenda is a direct attack on the family. It seeks to completely destroy it and to normalize a twisted, broken way of thinking.
“No Christian has the power to avoid suffering entirely. It is the human condition. What we do control is how we act in the face of it. Will we run from it and betray our Lord? Or will we accept it as a severe mercy? The choices we will make when put to the ultimate test depend on the choices we make today, in a time of peace.”
Dreher talks about how individualized we have become as a nation.
“In a time when people have forgotten how to be neighbors, simply sharing a meal or a movie together is a political act.”
Resistance, rebellion, Godly change in nations begins when Christians gather together. But we don’t know how to do that anymore. Our whole social lives are online. When we are individuals, we are easy to control, easy to smash and stamp out. For change to come to our country, we must stand together in unity under God.
“What we see now is an attempt to destroy the last surviving communities: the family, the church, and the nation. This is one connection between liberalism and communist theory.”
Please read this book. It will strengthen and encourage your faith, open your eyes and stir you to change.
~Hattush
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on this topic in general?
Daughter of the Light 