First They Came...

1. 79

   Garrett Mickleyposted 13 years ago

   "They came first for the Communists,
   and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
   
   Then they came for the trade unionists,
   and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
   
   Then they came for the Jews,
   and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
   
   Then they came for me
   and by that time no one was left to speak up." - Pastor Martin Niemöller
   
   I feel like this is happening around me right now.
   
   And I am very, very scared.

   replyreport
   1. 57

      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting. Who have they come for that you were too afraid to speak up for?

      replyreport
      1. 79

         Garrett Mickleyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well, in retrospect, I just feel like "they" are all coming for each other.
         
         Example: Burning the Quran.  Someone said they do it to keep it away from children.
         
         Fat chance that will work on a global scale, but what if it did?  What if all of the Islamophobes some how commited genocide? I don't doubt for a second that they would!
         
         That's one religion down, who's next?  Wiccans?
         
         I know, I know, this will never happen.  But all this hate going around scares me.

         replyreport
         1. 57

            Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            It scares me also. Fortunately - most of them have no power. They will not likely become "them" as described by Mr Niemoller because they are not the Government Inc any longer.
            
            Despite Brenda's fervent wish that she could force her will upon those who do not believe the same garbage she does. And her desire to be martyred. Best you can do is attempt to keep out of the way of their inevitable conflict.
            
            I have argued with both lots. They speak for god. Hard to argue with that. The sooner we ditch religion and nationalism the better.

            replyreport
            1. 79

               Garrett Mickleyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               "Still, my guitar gently weeps..."

               replyreport
            2. 63

               I am DB Cooperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Here here, I'll drink to that last sentence.

               replyreport
   2. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      First they came for the Christians.
      Read your Bible, if you have one.
      You don't even have a clue who "they" are, but you're quoting things like their coined words (Islamophobic, and I bet you use "homophobic" and etc., too?)

      replyreport
      1. 72

         Maddie Ruudposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         That's ridiculous.  There was oppression and prejudice long before the founding of Christianity.
         
         And anyway, you're completely missing the point of the OP's post.

         replyreport
         1. 63

            I am DB Cooperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Wait a second, there was something before Christianity? Mind = blown

            replyreport
         2. 0

            Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            It's not ridiculous at all, Maddie.
            He's basically demonizing some elusive people he terms "they" without being specific (and while, I will add, trying to place Communism as a victim!)  So obviously he misses the point of his own post!  Just as you do.
            I know he's trying to quote from some long-ago rhetoric, which he has a right to;  but so do I have the right to respond to it.
            
            And you and I may have a different view of when it was that Christianity was even founded.

            replyreport
      2. 79

         Garrett Mickleyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         And I don't feel anyone should come for the Christians, either.
         
         I think we all should ALL be allowed to believe what we believe without non-believers harassing us.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Too late.  "They" "came for" the Christians (in America; I'm talking about America now) years ago, when "they" started saying kids had no right to pray (to the Christian God) in school, etc.

            replyreport
            1. 62

               Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               So I guess "they" does not then refer to the indigenous people so gleefully massacred by the Christian invaders.

               replyreport
      3. 62

         Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         The carp were the first victims.

         replyreport
2. 59

   Jeramiposted 13 years ago

   Mark Knowles  wrote
   
      They speak for god. Hard to argue with that. The sooner we ditch religion and nationalism the better
   
   =====================================================
   
      Depending upon your definition of religion  ????
   
      You may have taken the words right out of   GODS  mouth.
   
      Good for you.

   replyreport