This is an article that is part of what may be a series of articles comparing the totalitarian regime from Orwell’s novel 1984 with current trends in society, politics and the world at large. For those not familiar with the novel here is a (very) brief summary:
3 communistic countries are in a state of perpetual war. The novel follows from the POV of a member of the outer party. Political dissidents have been all but eliminated. The state controls everything, and is capable of monitoring even thoughts. “Big brother” is the figurehead of the Party. The party has 3 slogans: “Ignorance is strength,” “Freedom is slavery,” and; “war is peace.” It is from this novel that we get the words “doublespeak, doublethink, and thoughtcrime. An important thing to remember in this novel is that the “hero” does not have any concept of objective morality, and while he knows something is wrong with the society where he lives, he has nothing to base his accusations on. Due to this, some of his conclusions are inaccurate or immoral themselves. Because of this, he is ultimately defeated by his own words and the cunning of the communist state.
Of particular interest is the things that go into making a society where objective truth is impossible to verify and morals shift with whatever the current definition of political correctness is. In 1984 the moral climate has devolved to where whatever is to the benefit of the communist state becomes moral, and anything that inhibits it becomes immoral. According to Big Brother’s government, immoral beliefs consist primarily of: freedom of speech and belief in God.
“Ignorance is strength.”
Self-esteem, socialism, and so called tolerance have replaced “reading, writing and arithmetic.” We no longer accept basic truths, like the definition of marriage, the beginning of life, or the rights granted by the Bill of Rights. The founders of this country knew the Author of liberty, and that is why they could identify right and wrong. (For more about the amazing history of America’s Founding Fathers and our early leaders,
please check out this book)
Besides this, man has been torn from his previous position as a
special creation*, in the image of God. Theoretical discussions of human origins overshadow nearly all science. Further, by the constant pushing of the ‘fact’ that humans are just animals, provides for the opportunity for them to be treated like animals. The Darwinian-based concepts of “Survival of the fittest” and the “Preservation of favored races[from the subtitle in the original prints of Darwin's Origin of Species]” provided the groundwork for Hitler’s attempted genocide and the Soviet Union’s genocide. When man tricks himself into thinking that men are just animals, it gives him the ability to do whatever he wants to his fellow man in the name of guiding “evolution.” Such concepts also lead to the enactment of forced sterilization laws in some states, though at present these are unenforced or removed from the books.Fortunately, most of the racial nonsense that was fueled by evolutionary thinking has been soundly refuted by genetic research. However, instead of groups of people being thought subhuman animals, all humans have been lowered to the rank of animal.
*”We hold this truth to be self evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…” [the Declaration of Independence]
“Freedom is Slavery”
The concept of humans as animals ties right in with this slogan. In the book, it is shown to mean that all freedoms are bad, and thus a lack of freedom is best for all. However, in some cases, the freedom to do something may actually help to reduce the freedoms of all.
”Freedom” to die
For example, the viewing of humans as animals reduces the moral qualms which may come from ending the life of an innocent person whether a full grown mentally impaired person like Terri Schiavo, or a person yet to be brought into this world (commonly referred to as “abortion). In this case, the granting of additional “freedoms” by the state could eventually pave the way for the state to use these “freedoms” against innocent Americans. Most Americans do not realize the dangerous president set when it is ruled legal to take innocent life for no other reason than convenience. Incidently, both Abortion and Euthanasia would fit in with at least one radical group’s “New World Order” dreams.
”Freedom” to use (illegal) drugs
There is a segment of the population both in America and abroad that want the freedom to use drugs without fear of prosecution. There are at least two reasons why a totalitarian government would benefit from allowing (and controlling) limited recreational drug use:
1: Additional profits
A government which was either the sole provider of, or licensor of providers would gain a large additional revenue. Even if the government provided it for “free,” it could still reap large dividends.
2: Control
A people addicted to some kind of drug would be willing to do anything to maintain their fix. In their desire to work for and obtain their drugs, they would be readily willing to cede freedoms to the government, and would be far less likely to revolt against the “Big Brother”who gives them everything they want.
“Freedom” from God (or state-sponsored Atheism)
There has been much talk and progress of purging Christian elements from the public square and the legal code. A great wall is being built to separate God from the American Government. It was started in the 20th Century and work continues today. What is wrong with “separation of church and state?” It is from God that things called moral absolutes come from. A government that has been freed from God gains the moral ability to do whatever to whomever without fear or guilt. This is why the official religion of Soviet Russia and the “People’s Democratic Republic” of China is Atheism. America never had a state sponsored church, but always maintained a generic Christian foundation. However, beginning in the mid 1900s, this foundation began to be blasted. Today, only traces of this foundation remain. However, America, though separating from its Christian heritage is far from churchless. Atheism is effectively preached in the public schools, whereby children are indoctrinated to accept that humans are animals and life is an accident. This opens them to accept the moral standards of a secular society, namely, anything goes sexually, drug use is ok, socialism (or outright Communism in California, see SB 1322) is good, and people who believe in God or moral absolutes are bad.
The only other religious expression encouraged in the academic world is Islam. While this might seem contradictory, Islam’s tenants do allow for a considerable degree of moral relativism (especially in regards to martyrdom and revolution). It allow allows the foundation for a totalitarian government along the lines of Iran. No country set up on Atheistic or Qu’ranic principles will ever be a free and democratic society. It was the Christian foundation in America that gave rise to a government tolerant of freedom, and forced it to operate in a limited fashion. It is for that reason that America flourished. It was this moral foundation that worked so long and hard to end the sins America committed against her own people (slavery and segregation).
”Freedom” from offense
This would grant that almost everyone has the right to never be offended. This is already clearly evident in Canada, and even in the US, where the Canadian Human Rights Commission not only makes sure that “sexual minorities” are not offended, but that private Christian business are forced to work for them or be sued out of existence.
Now, as we plunge into a brave new world, the moral causes of the past are hijacked to further the causes of the moral relativists, namely the destruction of: Family, marriage, the unborn, and America. Presidential wannabes Barack and Hillary face off against a not so distant opponent. Barack and Hillary would rapidly accelerate the collapse of the American legacy, bringing us ever closer to Big Brother/Sister.
Recommended Reading:
1984, George Orwell
Masters of Deceit, J. Edgar Hoover
Holy Bible, KJV
Fahrenheit 451: A Novel by Ray Bradbury
The Bill of Rights
A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.