I am reading the biography, "Bonhoeffer" about a courageous German Pastor who stood up to Adolf Hitler during the horrific Nazi period of history. Early in the book my attention was captured by a phrase which described the cultural expectation of Germany at the time. The nation and people were beaten down by the horrific loss in World War One as well as the treaty of Versailles reparations being paid out while the economy tanked. The national mood was said to be demanding a new kind of leader who would forcefully advance German interests to overcome the present level of pessimism and despair. The nation was in need of a strong and forceful leader. Onto the scene came as we know one of the most evil and diabolical leaders in history. Adolf Hitler was a powerful and charismatic speaker who knew how to play to the "Fuhrer principle". In public he carefully crafted an image of both power and willingness to compromise for the good of the 'Fatherland'. In private, he worshipped power and nothing else. Many religious and social leaders of the day fell for his deception early on and once power was quickly and totally in the hands of the Nazi party they were forcefully removed of any significant influence. How did Hitler arise so quickly? Could it happen again?
In desperate times of economic turmoil people are more prone to deception. Abusive and power hungry leaders play on their people's insecurities and promise much for so little.... the surrender of individual will and liberty. Every dictator knows that fear is their friend. If you can strike at the uncertainties during times of tribulation you might just create a revolution. The trouble with the Fuhrer principle is that it creates dictators and despots who speak of unity and nationalism while solidifying power and control.
No man or political party can ever be your savior. We must be careful during this ongoing world wide recession that we listen carefully to those who ask us to surrender invididual freedoms for the sake of 'security' or national well being. Freedoms surrendered are seldom if ever reinstated apart from revolution or war.
We need wisdom, discernment and a measure of skepticism toward leaders who promise much with no practical means to deliver on their word. Be careful who you relinquish power to in your personal, family and national life. I will leave you a famous quote to put the "Fuhrer Principle" in perspective, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton)
Jim
In desperate times of economic turmoil people are more prone to deception. Abusive and power hungry leaders play on their people's insecurities and promise much for so little.... the surrender of individual will and liberty. Every dictator knows that fear is their friend. If you can strike at the uncertainties during times of tribulation you might just create a revolution. The trouble with the Fuhrer principle is that it creates dictators and despots who speak of unity and nationalism while solidifying power and control.
No man or political party can ever be your savior. We must be careful during this ongoing world wide recession that we listen carefully to those who ask us to surrender invididual freedoms for the sake of 'security' or national well being. Freedoms surrendered are seldom if ever reinstated apart from revolution or war.
We need wisdom, discernment and a measure of skepticism toward leaders who promise much with no practical means to deliver on their word. Be careful who you relinquish power to in your personal, family and national life. I will leave you a famous quote to put the "Fuhrer Principle" in perspective, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton)
Jim
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