Spirit Quest

There are a variety of spirits abroad in the world
Beware of those that seek to dominate society

By The Reverend Doctor Hanns F. Skoutajan

Fascism is a dirty word. No one likes to be called by that designation. But what is fascism really?

Whenever we hear the word we think of Hitler's Germany or Mussolini's Italy. The term was derived from the Latin and Italian meaning the fasces, which consisted of a bundle of rods that were tied around an ax. They were an ancient Roman symbol of the authority of the civic magistrates. Furthermore, the symbolism of the fasces suggested strength through unity: a single rod is easily broken, while the bundle is difficult to break. Nothing wrong or despicable about that.

Hitler and Mussolini were the enfants terrible of the 20th century. But there have been others such as Franco of Spain, Salazar of Portugal and more recently Pinochet of Chile. There are others that can be added to that evil list. Just think.

Outside of Germany Hitler was not so much hated/feared for his fascist policies as for the threat he posed to the free world. In World War II we believed we were fighting the Germans and the Japanese. In World War I it was the Huns and the Austrians. Indeed, there were quite a few in very high places in both Britain and the United States and also in Canada who could see something quite positive in fascism.

Laurence Britt in an article in Free Inquiry Magazine (Vol. 23, #2) does an analysis of fascism as it is found in seven dictatorships including those mentioned above. These are the elements that fascist states have in common:

• A powerful nationalism, right or wrong my country, worship of the flag and other national symbols stand high under fascism.


• There is a total disdain for human rights and anyone asserting them is in danger.


• In a fascist dictatorship scapegoats have to be identified for all problems such as unemployment, inflation or the weather.


• Militarism stands high in a fascist society. The soldier is the model of the citizen, he takes orders without questioning and gives his life for the leader. Dictators usually pose in military uniforms.


• in most dictatorships sexism is common. Women are considered a sub class and only women who can act like men can achieve any semblance of power. Can you think of any?


• The media is totally controlled by the state. All public information is screened. Propaganda is the word.


• There is an obsession with national security. The citizens are made to feel insecure, that the enemy is at the gate if it hasn't already infiltrated society and needs to be rooted out. National security trumps human rights and freedom.


• Religion is held in high regard but only an authoritarian religion that is subservient to the state. Don't pray for the enemy!


• Corporate power is protected. In Germany the industrialists Krupp and Thiessen were considered highly regarded suplliers of arms. On the other hand labour unions, unless controlled by the government, were anathema and its leaders suspect. Concentration camps were replete with labour leaders.


• In a fascist society there is an inordinate obsession with crime and punishment. Harsh laws are in force and prisons become an industry.


• Of course corruption and fraudulent elections are the order of the day, the road to power is paved with wrong numbers.

Some years ago I read a fascinating book called Friendly Fascism by Betram Gross. He maintains that fascists do not always appear evil, they stand for law and order and decency. In Italy it used to be said that Mussolini made the trains run on time. In Germany during the Weimar Republic days, Fascism promised to clean up society and bring back a higher morality.

In the film Cabaret, there was a memorable scene in a country garden restaurant where a beautiful youth in a Nazi uniform sings songs of love for country and the people are totally taken in. This friendly fascism is usually a precursor of a more authoritative system. At first it appears to be harmless and even democratic. It behooves us to look into our own state for friendly fascist tendencies.

Pastor Martin Niemueller, who spent time in concentration camps in Hitler's Germany, is well known for this statement:

In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me — and by that time no one was left to speak up.

He was a personal witness to the process of subjugation of freedom.

Some, if not all of the above mentioned traits of fascism are present in almost every nation. Citizens must be aware, especially of friendly fascism. But freedom, democracy, human rights and social justice cannot be protected by weapons only but rather by an informed and educated public. Freedom of the press, that is a media that is free of government control but also free from corporate ownership, is absolutely essential in preserving a democratic society.

There are a variety of spirits abroad in the world. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said that "we do not contend against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in high places." There are evil spirits, we might call them isms and ideals that seek to dominate society. They are alive and well and threatening human values and rights. Be aware.

November 27, 2009 — Return to cover.
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