A Time That Men Went Mad

Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial (detail), Boise, Idaho, Author Kencf0618 (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

David Joseph Lenio, the son of a wealthy Michigan banker, was acquitted of felony charges related to Twitter threats.  Lenio, a white nationalist and Holocaust denier who describes his ideal job as operating a gas chamber, had expressed the desire to kill school children and Jewish leaders [1][2].  Lenio received probation for the single misdemeanor of which he was convicted.

This is the world in which we live.

“Hear, O Israel:  the Lord our God, the Lord is One!” (Deut. 6: 4).

The witnesses to the Holocaust are passing away.  Lies are already being circulated that the Holocaust was a fiction.

Witness to History

In an effort to combat these falsehoods, the testimony of Holocaust survivors is being recorded to preserve the evidence of history.  The testimony of one such survivor, Abraham Secemski, can be found on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=echUqImqB9c.  It is riveting.

A man of intelligence, courage, and fortitude, Mr. Secemski calls the Holocaust a time that men went mad.   Despite the passage of years, his narrative is filled with horrific details, and internally cohesive.  Mr. Secemski exhibits enormous strength as he speaks, yet seems to have retained his own sensitivity.

Antisemitism

Again and again, Abraham Secemski describes the cruel and sadistic acts he observed and endured.  Even more disturbing is the fact many of these acts were initiated by persons calling themselves Christian.  Antisemitism is inconsistent with genuine Christianity — a fact many who consider themselves Christian have yet to learn.

Faith

That Abraham Secemski somehow retained his faith in God is a testament, both to the human spirit and the grace of God.  Many others lost theirs as they were deprived of employment, savings, homes, possessions, loved ones, health, dignity, and freedom.

That Mr. Secemski elected not to seek vengeance when he had the opportunity may say more about him than anything else.

Justice

Truth and justice are worth pursuing.  Though there is little justice to be had in this flawed world of ours,  no one escapes judgment in the next.  A just and holy God will balance the scales.

Suffering and Purpose

In Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist who survived Auschwitz, concluded that life can draw meaning from love, work, and suffering.  By continuing on with our lives in spite of grief, we serve as witnesses for those lost to us.

That, itself, can give life purpose.

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[1]  MIssoulian, “Hatewatch:  David Lenio has violated terms of his release 348 times” by Vince Devlin”, 11/13/15, https://missoulian.com/news/local/hatewatch-david-lenio-has-violated-terms-of-his-release-times/article_04810fc6-1e7f-515f-bc73-5390e9944fd9.html.

[2]  Southern Poverty Law Center, “Holocaust-denier Behind Twitter Behind Twitter Threats Gets Probation” by Bill Morlin, 8/18/17, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/08/18/holocaust-denier-behind-twitter-threats-gets-probation.

Originally posted 7/14/13

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