CHRISTIAN SENSE
A publication devoted to making sense out of the twenty-first century.
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
By: TOM SMIKOSKI
(Originally written as a
"Letter to the Editors" of "THE NEW CATHOLIC EXPLORER",
Joliet, Illinois Diocese, July 25,1997.)
On July 22,1997, the U.S. State Department issued a statement
regarding Religious persecution in the World. This was quite
a surprise since over the years the Government has ignored Religious
persecution, closing its eyes to what was obvious to many.
Anyone interested in learning more about what goes on in
Communist Countries should read Michael Brown's book "Witness"
an autobiography of Josep Terelya. Josep is a Ukranian Catholic
who spent over twenty years in and out of Russian prisons.
Josep fought for religious freedom. He fought for the
right of Christians to practice their beliefs in public.
For this, he was beaten, tortured and imprisoned. He was
not alone. His story is no different than hundreds, thousands,
perhaps even tens of thousands of others.
The atrocities began more than a quarter century before
Josyp was even born. They began in 1917, the year Vladimir
Lenin succeeded in the revolution. Lenin's first priority as
leader was complete eradication of religion. "God and communism
could not coexist".
This phylosophy was carried on by his successors, and according to
the State Department, contunues even today.
Churches were bull dozed. Bibles were burned. Religious articles
confiscated. Bishops, priests, and evangelists were arrested, tortured,
and ultimately "disappeared".
In 1945 over 2,300 nuns were gathered together in a camp
in Monrovia. Soldiers were ordered to "have their way" with
these helpless nuns before killing them. All 2,300 were raped and
murdered.
No one knows how many millions were martyred over the
past 80 years. Over one million died in a single concentration
camp in Siberia. Some say over 14 million died in the Ukrain alone.
One reliable source claims that over 50 million people died at the hands
of the communists.
Whether these figures are an exageration or an underestimate
will never be known. In either case the numbers are staggering.
Some experts claim that these figures are only the tip of the iceberg.
God only knows how many more were martryed in other Countries, such as
China.
Reading books of this nature, makes me feel a certain ammount of shame.
Ashamed of how, we in a free Country, fail to appreciate God. In Countries
were Religion is prohibited, Faith grows. Perhaps, because the people have
already experienced a little bit of Hell on Earth. Here in America, where freedom
exists, Faith Diminishes.
In Russia churches were bulldozed. Yet, underground services went on in
forests, barns, and abandoned buildings. People traveled miles, risking prison,
torture and even death to attend services. Here, churches are closing, not by
government edict, but for lack of interest.
In Russia, priests sneak into town to hear confessions. People stand in line
for hours waiting to confess. When was the last time you saw a line in front
of our confessionals?
In communist countries Bibles and religious literature are banned. People risk
prison to hand copy and distribute them to the needy. How many people in America
have a Bible, let alone read it? How many study scripture?
The youth of America are no longer interested God. Christianity is slowly
being replaced by New Age thinking.
It's time we in America wake up and smell the roses. Or must God send a
little Hell on Earth to wake us up? Let's pray that our country turns
back to the beliefs of our forefathers. Let's make Jesus a regular part of
out lives. Let's not only be proud of our religious freedom, but exercise this
right to its fullest. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
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