Awake to Threats; Opposed to Fascism

Letter to the LNP Editor; text as submitted October 15, 2025

Communications these days are filled with code words and abbreviations. For instance the simple verb “woke” now means being aware, alert, and educated, especially about issues of justice, equality before the law, and civil and human rights. ANTIFA is simply an abbreviation of “anti-fascist,” coined by persons who actively protest against the increasingly dangerous fascist trends in our government.

Sadly, the current administration uses both of these terms as pejoratives. In doing so they clearly expose their own opposition to justice, democracy, and the rule of law. They seem to want a compliant population, unaware of and indifferent to the dangers of authoritarianism.

Noted German theologian Dorothee Sölle (1929 – 2003) spent a number of years in the U.S. lecturing, leading workshops, and teaching at Union Theological Seminary. She often warned about the signs of what she termed Christofascism – a narrow, rigid pseudo-Christian dogma mixed with authoritarian politics – that she saw in our country.

In 1991 I was privileged to attend a weekend workshop/retreat with Dr. Sölle. Her presentation was a faith-filled and eye-opening urgent warning. I was awakened to threats to our Constitutional republic about which I had until then been unaware. In subsequent years those threats have grown tremendously into the present reality.

As a consequence of her urging and others I stand firmly against the cruelty, lawlessness, and corruption of the current regime. If that means they consider me to be an “enemy,” so be it. I invite others who care about our nation’s well-being to join me.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation

In my last column I discussed the historic roots of freedom of religion in the United States.  In this one I will focus on one less-well-known organization that is doing critical work to protect a specialized group within our country – those who serve in our armed forces.  First a bit of explanation is in order.

Because the military is rigidly structured and highly controlled, and because trust and cohesion within units is essential to the safety of service people, some forms of religious expression that would be perfectly acceptable among a civilian population must be curtailed during military service.  For example, service personnel of higher rank are not permitted to proselytize among those of lower rank.  The reason is simple.  Obedience to the commands of those of higher rank is mandatory and absolute.  Within such a power structure, for an officer to “suggest” to enlisted personnel that they attend a particular religious event or engage in a specific religious activity is inevitably coercive.