Rod Dreher fears that America is sliding into a soft totalitarianism, the foundation of which he argues "is an ideology made of lies." In this sort of society (one predicted by Huxley), the focus is maximizing pleasure and avoiding pain, and as a result "the goal is to free the individual from any unchosen obligations." That means, in part, affirming what each person believes about the world is true- whether or not it is. And in some cases, doublethink is the inevitable result- for we cannot easily navigate a world where 1=1 for one person, and 1=0 for another. Yet today's "society prefers the false peace of conformity to the tensions of liberty."* How do we live in an environment like this?
"Through interviews with and testaments left by Christians (and others) from throughout the Soviet Bloc who lived through totalitarianism," this book explores what it means "for us today to live not by lies." Part one "makes the case that . . . liberal democracy is degenerating into something resembling the totalitarianism over which it triumphed in the Cold War." Part two "examines in greater detail forms, methods, and sources of resistance to soft totalitarianism's lies." In the latter, he looks at the importance of cultural memory, family units, religion and the gift of suffering.
In the end, "the ordinary man may not be able to overturn the kingdom of lies, but he can at least say that he is not going to be its loyal subject." In a sentence, Dreher argues that we fight lies by "accepting a life outside the mainstream, courageously [and prudently] defending the truth, and being willing to endure the consequences." And that may mean suffering . . . yet "to recognize the value in suffering is to rediscover a core teaching of historical Christianity . . ." For families, he encourages parents to "model moral courage," "fill their [childrens'] imaginations with the good," "don't be afraid to be weird in society's eyes," "prepare to make sacrifices for the greater good," "teach they are part of a wider movement," and "practice hospitality and serve others."
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While it felt overly alarmist and mildly unfair in places, there is some good here. Dreher does a good job explaining our current environment and the potential for serious upheaval, as traditional institutions are challenged and critics of the proposed new order can be softly persecuted. His talks with former Eastern bloc residents and their impressions of America today are sobering and scary. Though focused on the Left, he argues that the Right also has its elements who deny truth and try to conform the world to their desires.
Ultimately, Dreher does well in his basic message: stand up for truth and suffer the consequences. That is something Christians are always called to do- even if it alienates them from those in their own church or political party. Despite a modern popular version of Christianity that is more 'feel-good therapy' than anything else, Jesus promised that the world would hate Him, His followers, and the truth. Christians must know that and be prepared to follow Him to the end- whatever end the Lord may have in store.
I saw similarities here to both R.R. Reno's Return of the Strong Gods and Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death. All three authors would agree: if there is a future totalitarian state, it will not feature the prisons or executions of Soviet Russia, but the god of pleasure, the abandoning of standards, and the strong rebuke of anyone who disagrees.
Rating: B
*For example, diversity and inclusion is in concept a good thing, but as applied in today's society, one result has been "excluding those who object to ideological uniformity." We'll include you- if you think like us. We see this in the news today, when celebrities can lose their jobs if they express a different opinion. Despite (largely implied) assertions to the contrary, we don't actually want diversity of thought. Just different people all saying the same thing. It is just one example of how we're in a society where failing to conform to the 'party line' may have serious ramifications.
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