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.

Need Kindness and Community in Time of Darkness

 

Letter to the LNP Editor; text as submitted November 6, 2024

Wednesday morning I woke up to the news that a majority of voters in the U.S. had chosen lies over truth, fraud over honest dealings, revenge and abuse over compassion, hate over love. It is a dark and dangerous time for our nation. The inevitable suffering will be great. And according to the voters, this is what we want.

Decades ago I attended a weekend retreat led by renowned German theologian Dorothee Sölle. In one urgent message to us she warned about the drift toward fascism that, even then, she observed in our country. Alas, her alarm was never taken seriously enough by the majority, and now here we are.

It will be up to us who still cherish freedom and decency to find ways to share kindness amidst the oppression. The first groups to be targeted have already been identified by the incoming administration – the immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, Black persons and people of color. They will need sustenance and protection as we are able to give it. Beyond these, anyone who disagrees with and protests against abusive policies will be labeled “the enemy within,” subject to whatever horrors may be implemented. We must band together to care for each other and to find allies in resistance as best we can.

Above all else, we must not lose hope that someday the U.S. will once again be a nation that respects the rule of law and provides liberty and justice for all. Our young people deserve nothing less.