There are two things that horrify me greatly. I have mentioned them before, but they continue to trouble me massively. The first is how we are seeing right before our very eyes the growth of totalitarianism. Whether it is in Victoria, or Australia, or New Zealand, or America, or Canada, or England, or Europe – all over the West we see the dark cloud of tyranny descending upon us.
We see basic human rights being stripped away from us, our freedoms being stomped upon, and democracy under threat. Countless political leaders – along with the mainstream media – are peddling fear, alarmism, and panic porn. With the mesmerising mantra of “keeping us safe” they are all becoming tin pot dictators. Indeed, even arch lefty John Pilger has just used that very phrase to describe Victoria’s Dan Andrews.
All the Rona hype and hysteria is tying in so very nicely to really scary moves under way – things like the Great Reset. This is NO conspiracy theory – it is 100 per cent real. I have documented the shocking aims and objectives of these globalist totalitarians elsewhere. Please have a read of some of these articles: https://billmuehlenberg.com/category/politics/the-great-reset/
The second thing that is so shocking to encounter – and may in fact be even worse than the first – is the ready and even gleeful acceptance of all this by the masses. The sheeple are so gullible, clueless, and swayed by fear, that they are embracing these dictatorial policies without a whimper.
As to this second concern, I can add another aspect to it that horrifies me even more; the number of clueless Christians falling for the idolatry of statism and being cavalier about church closures and other losses of religious freedom. They are fully defending the secular state in all this, while attacking other Christians who dare to be concerned about it.
I have encountered far too many of these folks, and they are a main part of the reason why the Big Brother Statists are getting away with all this. Instead of speaking out against it and providing a biblical bulwark against these unwarranted power grabs, they not only acquiesce to them but fully support them. No wonder we are in such a mess.
I mentioned the other day one classic example of this mindset. One gal, responding to pastors standing against church closures, actually said this to me: “God tells us to obey the laws of the land. Anyone who does not is deliberately sinning. These COVID rules are put in place for our safety.”
Wow. In addition to clear biblical illiteracy here – she should start reading passages like Acts 5:29 – this is such sad naivety and gullibility when it comes to the State. She really seems to believe our rulers only always have the very best in mind for us.
She clearly does not believe the tried and tested maxim about how power corrupts. When you have that much faith and trust in one of the most arrogant, aloof and anti-Christian leaders in this nation, that is a very odd sort of Christian. Real deal biblical Christians never make an idol out of the State.
One meme on this making the rounds on the social media says: “I’m 100% convinced that if the government said to drink toilet water tomorrow, half the country would do it – no hesitation.” Yep exactly, and here in Victoria probably two-thirds of the folks would rush out and do it! As one friend put it in response to the meme, “All we like sheeple have gone astray. Very sad.”
And there is no end to all the Christian sheeple. Others have taken me to task for daring to praise those who think that never-ending church lockdowns are just not peachy. As to the matter of pastors standing up to the State and seeking to keep their churches open, albeit in a responsible fashion, I mentioned one such pastor in Melbourne, Paul Furlong, in my earlier piece: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2021/02/16/lockdown-mania/
I know the guy – he is a champion, and he is willing to pay the price for the courage of his convictions. Yet as always, the “Christian” critics have come out in force. One is a far-left pastor that I have sadly had to discuss before. He tore into Paul, saying he was being irresponsible and just running with “baseless conspiracy theories”. He also accused him of bringing “disgrace” upon Christianity.
Um, it is actually this rather arrogant Pharisee and arm-chair critic who is doing great damage to the gospel. He takes pot-shots at other Christian leaders who have the courage to stand boldly for Christ, while he sits comfortably at home being smug and judgmental. I have no time for such folks – and neither did Jesus.
Another person was nowhere near as bad as this guy, but she did repeat some not-so-helpful things that we keep hearing in this regard. She said it is no big deal to have churches closed since we have things like zoom and other videoconferencing tools. She said that persecuted Christians in other countries can survive without going to church, so we should just “toughen up.” I replied to her as follows:
Thanks ****, but you are missing the point here on various levels, and you need to see the bigger picture. Those in persecuted countries who cannot meet together do NOT think that is a terrific thing, nor are they happy and glib about it. It is a real tragedy and loss for them, but they make do the best they can under such tyranny. This is not a good thing to wish on anyone. Thus it is not a matter for us to just ‘toughen up’ – it is a matter of all of us standing up for vitally important religious freedom – this is what this is about.
We are seeing tyranny unfold before our very eyes. That should concern every true Christian. And we should be doing all we can to stand against this, and not be glib about what is happening. Yes, a short term of “zoom” church is one thing, but it is NOT what God intends for his people. We are the Body of Christ. We should be meeting together, loving each other, hugging one another, taking communion together etc. Missing out on this for a few weeks is one thing. Having churches closed for months or years on end is another thing – especially when bottle shops and tennis matches and other non-essential services are allowed to be open.
As I say, there are two things that concern me mightily: never-ending statism, and the masses who willingly go along with it all. But my greatest concern would be all the Christians who go along with it as well. They seem to have no clue. They either do not know or do not care about what is happening.
Or worse yet, like the pastor-critic I mentioned above, they fully go along with it all. They will actually side with the secular state over against their own fellow Christians. Hmm, why does all this remind me of the warning given by Jesus:
“They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you” (John 16:2-4).
Let me finish with two quotes that certainly are very relevant to the times that we are living in. Back in 2014 Thomas Sowell said this:
In the German elections of 1932, the Nazi party received 37 percent of the vote. They became part of a democratically elected coalition government in which Hitler became chancellor. Only step by step did the Nazis dismantle democratic freedoms and turn the country into a complete dictatorship. The political majority could have united to stop Hitler, but they did not. They fought each other over their differences. Some figured that they would take over after the Nazis were discredited and defeated. Many who plotted this clever strategy died in Nazi concentration camps. Unfortunately, so did millions of others. What such clever strategies overlook is that there can be a point of no return. We may be close to that point of no return.
And a meme making the rounds on the social media has a picture of a train track leading into the notorious Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in German-occupied Poland. On it are these words:
It didn’t start with gas chambers. It started with one party controlling the media. One party controlling the message. One party deciding what is truth. One party censoring speech and silencing opposition. One party dividing citizens into “us” and “them” and calling on their supporters to harass “them”. It started when good people turned a blind eye and let it happen.
Why is all of this sounding so frightfully familiar of late?
28 Replies to “This Is What Horrifies Me the Most”
Well written- I was so proud when at least one church chose to meet and worship together despite the lockdowns.
Yes we are seeing systematic changes where are choices are no longer yes or no, they are Yes as most of the Australian public inc some Christians who ultimately see what these things are as for our good and put forward by those who see government as doing the best for us. Ie masks. Vaccines as msn made with help by God for our own good (gasp…) lockdown with no church services, no communication with neighbours, community as for everyone else’s protection (um, utter rubbish !)and using God’s word out of context. Thank you Bill. Your blogs and sharing them via social media is Truth and a breath of fresh air (which none of us Victorians unless we walk around our own backyard get). God blessings Carmel
I agree Bill. I am reading ‘Bonhoeffer’ by Eric Metaxas. I thoroughly recommend reading this book (in the local library). There are many scary parallels of today with Nazi Germany. I am generally an optimist but the irrationality and blindness of so many is truly terrifying.
Quite so Gail.
Alarmingly over a couple of generations now, students have not been encouraged to think for themselves, resulting in populations who do not care or bother to research to find out truth – and who consequently are gullible and easily manipulated and controlled.
This combined with some 90% untruth or partial truth from mainstream media, and patronizing dishonesty from politicians also, has rendered our societies very vulnerable indeed.
Every citizen needs to WAKE UP and take the OAR = Ownership, Accountability and Responsibility, instead of staying in BED = Blame, Excuses and Denial, along with an ethos of living to be entertained.
For the consequences of slumbering through the determined Luciferian agenda towards the Great Reset will result in horrible ongoing suffering, from which it is planned by those in control, that there will be no return.
Become informed and engage to make a difference for good at every level of society – at all levels of government and schools and education.
As President Reagan rightfully stated:
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
You wrote, “One gal, responding to pastors standing against church closures, actually said this to me: “God tells us to obey the laws of the land. Anyone who does not is deliberately sinning. These COVID rules are put in place for our safety.” ”
It’s very difficult when those in authority in your church basically say – and believe – the same thing. And agree to shutting down your church along with all the others. I could foresee another lockdown weeks ago and tried to get leaders and congregation to consider a more scriptural response to those renewed restrictions, but to no avail.
I’m horrified along with you, Bill. And deeply concerned for my church.
Disney cancelled Gina Carano for making basically the same point as the last quote. Her co-star Pedro Pascal had made a Nazi comparison but is safe, because he was promoting leftism not conservatism. Disney itself filmed Mulan in the Xinjiang province of Communist China without a peep at the province’s concentration camps imprisoning a million Uyghurs.
Thanks so much Bill in helping keep up with the rapid descent of the government into a state of excessive control . I know of other churches that are not bowing to the restrictions eg ban on singing , though doing sanitizing, social distancing and contact sheets etc. Biggest danger is like in book of Acts the religious Gestapo, there was those filled with envy that pursued the Christians and stirred up trouble
This article sums up precisely how I feel and the anecdotes about church colleagues following government policy and lecturing others has been my own experience in my small group, whom I’ve recently had to depart from due to their hysteria and pious glib attitudes to the virus response.
Your discussion about statism is what is being played out in my own Brisbane mega church. To the point where I can barely stomach attending. Now I spend my thoughts in the sermon cringing at how many times Covid is mentioned and seeing it mentioned in any church correspondence makes me sick.
I received an email which included the virtue signal
Of their hope of the vaccines eliminating future issues for crying out loud!
I don’t feel that offering up prayer about it is enough and few I have to speak up and speak out to my elders about these things.
Please keep up this great work. This is the first time I’ve seen your site, but will keep reading.
Thank you.
Many thanks Gavin – keep standing strong.
“They fought each other over their differences. Some figured that they would take over after the Nazis were discredited and defeated.”
The Republican party to a tee. Conservatives wonder why we can’t get anything done because OUR party is fractured and THEIR party is not.
The Christians who go along with it are seen be the people as the true representatives of Christ the true Christians. We are the fake ones they say. All these Christians will do is sing louder all be it on zoom. If they can justify the murder of the unborn murdering the already born, no matter the age, will be easy to justify. Once one sin is made acceptable eventually all sin is acceptable. As Jesus said those who kill you will think they are offering God a service. And, I believe it was bonhoffer, who said not to act is to act. (also not to speak is to speak) These Christians might not be the ones to kill us but they are just as guilty. I was following orders (of the government) is no excuse especially with God!
No longer can the West look down on the German people from WWII era. How many over the years said “if I had been there I would’ve spoken up or I wouldn’t have turned in the Jews yet here we are and they are doing the same thing as the Germans of yesteryear. The more things change the more the stay the same. We think we are so much better but how many have a mid 20th century starring back us in the mirror???
I have just learned about Judas sheep/goats and can see that there are many around at this time. People are like sheep, they like someone to lead them, tell them what to do (feed and water) and they follow without question. The Judas sheep will lead them to slaughter!!
Many thanks for that John. This is what the Abstract says:
In this article, we aim to develop a political economy of mass hysteria. Using the background of COVID-19, we study past mass hysteria. Negative information which is spread through mass media repetitively can affect public health negatively in the form of nocebo effects and mass hysteria. We argue that mass and digital media in connection with the state may have had adverse consequences during the COVID-19 crisis. The resulting collective hysteria may have contributed to policy errors by governments not in line with health recommendations. While mass hysteria can occur in societies with a minimal state, we show that there exist certain self-corrective mechanisms and limits to the harm inflicted, such as sacrosanct private property rights. However, mass hysteria can be exacerbated and self-reinforcing when the negative information comes from an authoritative source, when the media are politicized, and social networks make the negative information omnipresent. We conclude that the negative long-term effects of mass hysteria are exacerbated by the size of the state.
I bought my copy of “Live not by Lies” yesterday.
The first section is about ‘soft totalitarianism”.
Yes Bruce it is an excellent book, and it really helps us understand the very things I have spoken about in this article. I have quoted from it often, and my review of it is found here:
Yesterday my old boss handed me a copy of Lord Denning’s, Freedom under the Law (1949), which was the first publication of The Hamlyn Lectures.
Books such as this fill me with great sadness because they confirm how debased our legal system has become. We are no longer free, which is terrible enough, but people seem unconcerned by this, which is more terrible.
Yes Nick I am with you on this.
Im very concerned about the governments mad push on having all of us vaccinated with these experimental vaccines. And just to clarify, im not anti vaccine, just had my hep b & c and tetanus shots.
But websites like lifesite news and the such continue to report on the alarming rate of “coincidental” deaths and serious side affects of these vaccines, especially the pfizer.
So, do i risk losing my job because i exercise the right as to what goes into my body?
Hi Bill, agree with your comments and also George Salapatas re vaccinations.
I recently heard a good answer to the Government if there is a mandate to force people to receive vaccinations:
“My body, my Choice”!
If it’s a good enough phrase for people to commit abortions, it should a be good enough phrase for people to reject vaccines!
It relates to murder in both cases.
An excellent must watch YouTube video clip “Explains how the depopulation mRNA vaccine will start working by Dr Sherri Tenpenny”.
There are many other Epidemiologists, Virologists, Molecular Biologists and Immunologists who reveal this same truth – all can be viewed on YouTube: e.g. Prof.Delores Cahill, Judy Mikovits (40 years study), Dr David E Martin.
Some have had their research information deleted and not surprised as to why when they don’t want the truth to get out.
George, why do you ask about losing your job?
Privacy protections so far prevent employers from asking for health data not relevant to performing one’s job and the Immunisation Register privacy terms do not allow for sharing data with employers (as at a couple of days ago).
John, with the current state of despotism in place, it will not take much for the state government to mandate directives forcing employers to ensure employees are vaccinated. After all, look at what the police are doing over wearing of masks, and that is a directive, not law?
Yes I am afraid you are quite right Robert.
This article puts everything into perspective for me as a Christian. https://gbcbowie.org/blog/when-jesus-calls-us-to-disobey-human-government. Are we not chosen to be soldiers of the cross? Step out in faith and boldness to claim what is rightfully ours. The freedoms we once enjoyed and have taken for granted are at stake. And so much more. For the sake of our precious children and grandchildren. All children. Pray. Put on your armour. Stand up for Jesus!
Totalitarianism comes in under the guise of keeping you safe from a threat, for the common good.
Cancel culture is a prelude or precursor to actual murder camps. This is what socialists/Communists do. If they delight with joy at cancelling you, threatening you, destroying your career, digitally genociding you and isolating you, it is not a far leap to actual murder and re-education camps.
Well said Bill, although when you say ‘democracy is under threat’, I would say democracy is dead, you only have to look at the steal of the US election to know this. It is all over for the right to vote. Your vote doesn’t mean anything when they take it away from you by deception.
Great article Bill, I am also greatly encouraged by the above comments, there are still many who are not deceived.Let’s continue to believe GOD to pour out His Spirit upon us leading to repentance and revival.
Well written- I was so proud when at least one church chose to meet and worship together despite the lockdowns.
Yes we are seeing systematic changes where are choices are no longer yes or no, they are Yes as most of the Australian public inc some Christians who ultimately see what these things are as for our good and put forward by those who see government as doing the best for us. Ie masks. Vaccines as msn made with help by God for our own good (gasp…) lockdown with no church services, no communication with neighbours, community as for everyone else’s protection (um, utter rubbish !)and using God’s word out of context. Thank you Bill. Your blogs and sharing them via social media is Truth and a breath of fresh air (which none of us Victorians unless we walk around our own backyard get). God blessings Carmel
I agree Bill. I am reading ‘Bonhoeffer’ by Eric Metaxas. I thoroughly recommend reading this book (in the local library). There are many scary parallels of today with Nazi Germany. I am generally an optimist but the irrationality and blindness of so many is truly terrifying.
Quite so Gail.
Alarmingly over a couple of generations now, students have not been encouraged to think for themselves, resulting in populations who do not care or bother to research to find out truth – and who consequently are gullible and easily manipulated and controlled.
This combined with some 90% untruth or partial truth from mainstream media, and patronizing dishonesty from politicians also, has rendered our societies very vulnerable indeed.
Every citizen needs to WAKE UP and take the OAR = Ownership, Accountability and Responsibility, instead of staying in BED = Blame, Excuses and Denial, along with an ethos of living to be entertained.
For the consequences of slumbering through the determined Luciferian agenda towards the Great Reset will result in horrible ongoing suffering, from which it is planned by those in control, that there will be no return.
Become informed and engage to make a difference for good at every level of society – at all levels of government and schools and education.
As President Reagan rightfully stated:
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
You wrote, “One gal, responding to pastors standing against church closures, actually said this to me: “God tells us to obey the laws of the land. Anyone who does not is deliberately sinning. These COVID rules are put in place for our safety.” ”
It’s very difficult when those in authority in your church basically say – and believe – the same thing. And agree to shutting down your church along with all the others. I could foresee another lockdown weeks ago and tried to get leaders and congregation to consider a more scriptural response to those renewed restrictions, but to no avail.
I’m horrified along with you, Bill. And deeply concerned for my church.
Disney cancelled Gina Carano for making basically the same point as the last quote. Her co-star Pedro Pascal had made a Nazi comparison but is safe, because he was promoting leftism not conservatism. Disney itself filmed Mulan in the Xinjiang province of Communist China without a peep at the province’s concentration camps imprisoning a million Uyghurs.
Thanks so much Bill in helping keep up with the rapid descent of the government into a state of excessive control . I know of other churches that are not bowing to the restrictions eg ban on singing , though doing sanitizing, social distancing and contact sheets etc. Biggest danger is like in book of Acts the religious Gestapo, there was those filled with envy that pursued the Christians and stirred up trouble
This article sums up precisely how I feel and the anecdotes about church colleagues following government policy and lecturing others has been my own experience in my small group, whom I’ve recently had to depart from due to their hysteria and pious glib attitudes to the virus response.
Your discussion about statism is what is being played out in my own Brisbane mega church. To the point where I can barely stomach attending. Now I spend my thoughts in the sermon cringing at how many times Covid is mentioned and seeing it mentioned in any church correspondence makes me sick.
I received an email which included the virtue signal
Of their hope of the vaccines eliminating future issues for crying out loud!
I don’t feel that offering up prayer about it is enough and few I have to speak up and speak out to my elders about these things.
Please keep up this great work. This is the first time I’ve seen your site, but will keep reading.
Thank you.
Many thanks Gavin – keep standing strong.
“They fought each other over their differences. Some figured that they would take over after the Nazis were discredited and defeated.”
The Republican party to a tee. Conservatives wonder why we can’t get anything done because OUR party is fractured and THEIR party is not.
The Christians who go along with it are seen be the people as the true representatives of Christ the true Christians. We are the fake ones they say. All these Christians will do is sing louder all be it on zoom. If they can justify the murder of the unborn murdering the already born, no matter the age, will be easy to justify. Once one sin is made acceptable eventually all sin is acceptable. As Jesus said those who kill you will think they are offering God a service. And, I believe it was bonhoffer, who said not to act is to act. (also not to speak is to speak) These Christians might not be the ones to kill us but they are just as guilty. I was following orders (of the government) is no excuse especially with God!
No longer can the West look down on the German people from WWII era. How many over the years said “if I had been there I would’ve spoken up or I wouldn’t have turned in the Jews yet here we are and they are doing the same thing as the Germans of yesteryear. The more things change the more the stay the same. We think we are so much better but how many have a mid 20th century starring back us in the mirror???
I have just learned about Judas sheep/goats and can see that there are many around at this time. People are like sheep, they like someone to lead them, tell them what to do (feed and water) and they follow without question. The Judas sheep will lead them to slaughter!!
Here’s an interesting analysis of the phenomenon of mass hysteria:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33546144/
Many thanks for that John. This is what the Abstract says:
I bought my copy of “Live not by Lies” yesterday.
The first section is about ‘soft totalitarianism”.
Yes Bruce it is an excellent book, and it really helps us understand the very things I have spoken about in this article. I have quoted from it often, and my review of it is found here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2020/12/30/a-review-of-live-not-by-lies-by-rod-dreher/
Hi Bill
Yesterday my old boss handed me a copy of Lord Denning’s, Freedom under the Law (1949), which was the first publication of The Hamlyn Lectures.
Books such as this fill me with great sadness because they confirm how debased our legal system has become. We are no longer free, which is terrible enough, but people seem unconcerned by this, which is more terrible.
Yes Nick I am with you on this.
Im very concerned about the governments mad push on having all of us vaccinated with these experimental vaccines. And just to clarify, im not anti vaccine, just had my hep b & c and tetanus shots.
But websites like lifesite news and the such continue to report on the alarming rate of “coincidental” deaths and serious side affects of these vaccines, especially the pfizer.
So, do i risk losing my job because i exercise the right as to what goes into my body?
Hi Bill, agree with your comments and also George Salapatas re vaccinations.
I recently heard a good answer to the Government if there is a mandate to force people to receive vaccinations:
“My body, my Choice”!
If it’s a good enough phrase for people to commit abortions, it should a be good enough phrase for people to reject vaccines!
It relates to murder in both cases.
An excellent must watch YouTube video clip “Explains how the depopulation mRNA vaccine will start working by Dr Sherri Tenpenny”.
There are many other Epidemiologists, Virologists, Molecular Biologists and Immunologists who reveal this same truth – all can be viewed on YouTube: e.g. Prof.Delores Cahill, Judy Mikovits (40 years study), Dr David E Martin.
Some have had their research information deleted and not surprised as to why when they don’t want the truth to get out.
George, why do you ask about losing your job?
Privacy protections so far prevent employers from asking for health data not relevant to performing one’s job and the Immunisation Register privacy terms do not allow for sharing data with employers (as at a couple of days ago).
John, with the current state of despotism in place, it will not take much for the state government to mandate directives forcing employers to ensure employees are vaccinated. After all, look at what the police are doing over wearing of masks, and that is a directive, not law?
Yes I am afraid you are quite right Robert.
This article puts everything into perspective for me as a Christian. https://gbcbowie.org/blog/when-jesus-calls-us-to-disobey-human-government. Are we not chosen to be soldiers of the cross? Step out in faith and boldness to claim what is rightfully ours. The freedoms we once enjoyed and have taken for granted are at stake. And so much more. For the sake of our precious children and grandchildren. All children. Pray. Put on your armour. Stand up for Jesus!
Totalitarianism comes in under the guise of keeping you safe from a threat, for the common good.
Cancel culture is a prelude or precursor to actual murder camps. This is what socialists/Communists do. If they delight with joy at cancelling you, threatening you, destroying your career, digitally genociding you and isolating you, it is not a far leap to actual murder and re-education camps.
Well said Bill, although when you say ‘democracy is under threat’, I would say democracy is dead, you only have to look at the steal of the US election to know this. It is all over for the right to vote. Your vote doesn’t mean anything when they take it away from you by deception.
Great article Bill, I am also greatly encouraged by the above comments, there are still many who are not deceived.Let’s continue to believe GOD to pour out His Spirit upon us leading to repentance and revival.
You’re a good man.