A Silent Holocaust – Stephanie Jones

Stephanie JonesBlog

Sitting On The Couch

I was 10 years old when my mother called me into the living room to watch a documentary with her.

She said, “This is something you should know about now. “

I sat on the corner of the couch and squirmed in disbelief and discomfort. Images so well known to the world were brand new to me. Black and white photographs and aged film of haunted figures, emaciated and desperate. Children and mothers and decrepit old men, naked and dehumanized, hustled to the Nazi command “Vite! Vite!” quickly to death, and I supposed they were the lucky ones.

You have probably guessed I am describing the holocaust of 6 million Jews and 5 million others that took in place in Europe during the Second World War. Even at 10 years old I remember asking my mother, “Why did they do it?” How could ordinary, nice, hardworking mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles ever allow this to happen? What took place inside their hearts and minds that the rounding up of innocent people could be tolerated by a nation?

The answer is complicated. But there is in the midst of it a simple thread – ideology, politics, media, and how those things affect common thought. To simplify (and I mean really simplify): Hitler wished to eradicate the Jews and those he saw as both inferior and an economic drain. This ideology affected his political policies and he pursued those goals. The duped media helped – a lot. Propaganda changed the common perspective and thought processes of those in Germany at that time. Also, let’s not forget that the love of money (sometimes manifested as the priority to save money) is the root of all evil.

The Progression Went Something Like This:

  • Jews (and others) are inferior and therefore not really human.
  • They are also an economic drain and they weaken us.
  • We are therefore justified in executing a final solution.

The subtext here is that “The Master Race” has the right to choose the destiny of others based on their own inherent superiority. Therefore, any actions taken for the furtherance of goals or the common good are deemed acceptable. Murder is permissible.

11 million people, subsequently.

Sitting On The Couch Again

Recently I found myself on the edge the couch again. This time I am not 10. This time I am 39 years old. This time I am not appalled by images of a bygone holocaust, but by fresh news of one that is going on in America right now. I am sure I am not the first to call it a Silent Holocaust, but in my opinion the actions being taken by Planned Parenthood today in America are exactly that.

Images of tiny thin hands and legs, little noses and miniature vital organs. Sacred unborn bodies, naked, dehumanized (called fetuses) and hustled off to their own final solution with commands, “Quickly, quickly!” After all, there is money to be made.

In response, I ask the same question that I asked at 10 years old. “Why did they do it?” How could ordinary, nice, hardworking mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles ever allow this to happen? What took place inside their hearts and minds that the rounding up of innocent people could be tolerated by a nation?

And sadly, perhaps shockingly, my answer is the same: The answer is complicated. But, there is in the midst of it a simple thread – ideology, politics, media, and how those things affect common thought.

The Progression Goes Something Like This

  • Unborn babies are inferior and therefore not really human.
  • They are also an economic drain and they weaken us.
  • We are therefore justified in executing a final solution.

The subtext here is that “The Master Race” has the right to choose the destiny of others based on their own inherent superiority. Therefore any actions taken for the furtherance of goals or the common good are deemed acceptable. Murder is permissible.

57 million abortions since 1973, subsequently.

Silence Is Evil

One of my great heroes is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who died in a concentration camp for his resistance to the Nazi party. Below is a statement that embodies his legacy:

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”  – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

How Can We Speak Out And How Can We Act?

First, we must continue in prayer for this dark spell to break. We must pray for the light of the gospel to break though and we must love and help those who are struggling.

Second, we should take action.

There are many possibilities. Here are some ideas:

8 Ways to Reduce Abortions Without Protesting

I am writing this note.

Maybe you can share it.