The Spectre Scapegoat of Communism
The dictionary defines the word spectre as something that is widely feared to be unpleasant or dangerous. Other definitions of the word lean towards the supernatural. A spectre is a ghost, a phantom or an apparition. Something that is ethereal and not corporeal. Often times, when the word spectre is tied to another noun it is with the intention of conjuring up visual imagery of an undesired result. More recently, perhaps since the Cold War, the word spectre has been tied to the word communism. The two words seem to be inextricably linked in modern day usage. However, I feel that this does a great disservice to what communism is. Continual use of the word spectre has turned communism into this nebulous ideology that encompasses everything from failed economic policies to government tyranny and even extra judicial government surveillance. The problem with this is that communism is a failed ideology and I’m willing to posit that even the strongest proponents of communism don’t espouse Communism. However, it would seem that they have an affinity for the power that communism and communist like ideologies allows them to wield. It would appear that Communism’s greatest allure is subjugation and control of the masses.
In the waning years of Communist rule in Eastern Europe it became abundantly clear that these failed policies were never in place to help the masses nor were they intended to. They were simply a tool to keep those in power empowered while the general populace was disenfranchised. I posit that the greatest agency to communist rule wasn’t the ruling class of the day. Rather, communism was propagated by well meaning individuals who were indoctrinated into the false promises of communism. Perhaps they longed for a utopia. A land where there was no economic inequality. A land where there was collective responsibility. Unfortunately however, this meant crushing out individuality. Individuality is part of what makes us unique amongst all created things. Through individuality we all form part of this beautiful mosaic known as Humanity. Individuality grants us freedom. Freedom to make choices and come to our own conclusions without being swept away by the current of an amorphous mob towards impending doom.
Through individuality we all form part of this beautiful mosaic known as Humanity. Individuality grants us freedom. Freedom to make choices and come to our own conclusions without being swept away by the current of an amorphous mob towards impending doom.
Keli
Human beings long for righteousness. Unfortunately, true righteousness is unobtainable by earthly means. We thus fall into the trap of self-righteousness which is a counterfeit that turns once good people arrogant and judgemental. Once good people turn into those who render judgements on made up religious texts stemming from whatever ideology is most appealing to them. In today’s day and age the ideology isn’t communism. It’s wokeness, critical race theory and other failed and failing ideologies that are being pushed by some in power. The end result is that the proletariate end up being enslaved to the ruling class and their whims. Enslaved to the idea that we can’t truly be free unless we are on a government sanctioned medical regimen. Enslaved to the idea that unless we celebrate skin colour rather than character we are somehow deficient in morality. The tragedy with all of this is that these failed ideologies that lead to failed policies affect the entire populace and not just their devotees. The faithful don’t seem to realise that they too will soon be joining the bread lines and that the long winter will not discriminate between the true believers and the apostates. It will claim and consume all.
I have doubts as to whether the CCP in China believes in the failed economic policies of Communism. However, they do seem to have a penchant for control. This is evil. Pure and simple.
Keli.
The problem with calling all that’s wrong with the world today communism is that we scapegoat evil for a failed ideology. I have doubts as to whether the CCP in China believes in the failed economic policies of Communism. However, they do seem to have a penchant for control. This is evil. Pure and simple. Some willingly engage in it out of misguided ambitions, others are misled and some are fully aware of the extent of this corruption and the havoc it wreaks. Increasingly, as the world seems to have taken a dire turn, more and more articles keep popping up on the evils of communism. To me it would seem that this laser focus on communism is the desire to find a spectre. A phantom that needs to be staved off and sent back to the spectral realms from whence it came. The problem with this is that communism is just but one of the many faces of evil. I struggle to believe that adherents of these radical policies believe them to be effective. They don’t believe in communism anymore than they believe in Casper the friendly ghost. It’s just a convenient ideology that seems to encompass their policies which will seemingly lead them to a desired result.
There is but one way of defeating evil: Do not be overcome by evil but rather overcome evil by doing good. More importantly, do not grow weary of doing good. This could be writing to the school board that is trying to indoctrinate your children or writing and seeking an audience with your local representatives. For most of us however, this may simply be being encouragers. Encourage those involved in legal battles that you think matter, give to causes that you support, lend a helping hand where you can and in whatever way you can. Finally, do not be consumed by the evil around you. Do not eat, drink, breathe and sleep evil lest you end up being taken captive by it, albeit in a different form. Evil is as old as time itself and it will not stop simply because some form of it has finally found its way to the free world and threatens a particular way of life.
Evil is as old as time itself and it will not stop simply because some form of it has finally found its way to the free world and threatens a particular way of life.
Keli
Even in the darkest night there is always hope for those who seek it. Cling on to hope, cling on to all that’s still good with your life. Once hope is crushed, we will swiftly be crushed. As long as hope remains, we will persevere and endure until the very end. Don’t fight on in misery. Fight on in the joy of knowing that you are already free because even though we are in the trenches, we are not in shackles. Our hearts and minds are free. Some may argue that that is the greatest freedom of all.