Jodell Onstott
Germany’s Karma

Germany’s Karma

My mother would say, “what comes around, goes around.” In the South it’s “getting yours.” In the North, it’s “getting your just desserts.” Tech geeks tells us, “input equals output.” For story tellers, it is “poetic justice,” while the Bible terms it “reaping what you sow,” recognizing that God’s judgments follow this natural law of cause and effect. I call it Karma.

Karma is a fate that is difficult to escape. Historically, Germany has a dismal record on human rights. During WWI, the nation began a war of aggression to expand its borders. This deadly war ended many vibrant lives. The German people did nothing to stop this movement and realistically, there was probably little that could have been done. Karma came in the form of post-war reparations.

Karma was temporarily cheated when a new political faction came on the scene for Germans promising prosperity and liberation from the natural consequences of WWI. Nazis comprised only 6% of the vote in 1924, 18% in 1932, and 33% in November of 1932, but once they had their foot in the door, party members began propaganda, intimidation, and controlling voting stations. This minority party rose to lead the entire nation to one of the most abusive, oppressive, and horrifying regimes the world has seen: 6,000,000 Jews, 300,000 Gypsies, 100,000 Poles and Slavs, 30,000 political dissidents, 300,000 disabled persons, and countless others that represented a “parallel society” or “parallel values” to what Nazi Germany deemed acceptable. Karma almost seemed blind to this loss of human life.

In 1922, the Nazis established their own recruiting ground within a benign and patriotic organization, the Jugendbund Children were the state’s primary commodity, being indoctrinated with the atheist and Nazi doctrine from grade school into the trenches. This convenient constituency helped the Nazi party overcome its dismal 6% showing in 1924 elections to  44% in 1933 as many youths came to majority voting age. At the beginning of the war, these youth totaled almost 9 million. Hitler’s investment in young human capital was not misplaced. Under Hitler, German youths were recruited and drafted by the state.

“These boys and girls enter our organizations [at] ten years of age, and often for the first time get a little fresh air;after four years of the Young Folk they go on to the Hitler Youth,

where we have them for another four years . . . And even if they are still not complete National Socialists, they go to Labor Service and are smoothed out there for another six, seven months . . .

And whatever class consciousness or social status might still be left . . . the Wehrmacht [German armed forces] will take care of that.” 
Adolf Hitler (1938)

We often ignore the fact that Hitler’s ultimate struggle was to eliminate social class, race, God, dissent, or any other “parallel society.” We may be tempted to see Germany in 2016 far different than the Nazi state. Hitler’s surviving youth have now matured into the policy makers of Germany’s post-war modern nation. But its policies on children and ideas of “parallel societies” remain eerily unchanged.

Germany’s modern brand of democracy does not allow for values and beliefs that do not abide by state-sanctioned values. Especially telling is Germany’s stance on family rights, particularly that of homeschoolers. In a 2003, the German Federal Constitutional Court (Konrad, 2003) ruled, “The state has an equal interest in the education of children.” The state’s interest in educating and indoctrinating youths, like Hitler’s Jugend, is deemed to take precedence over the parents’ right to educate their own children. It would appear Hitler’s youth is reborn in the modern state that still believe it superior to parents in educating and developing a meaningful conscience within German society. This has led to the arrest and separation of families throughout Germany that teach traditional Judeo-Christian values. These families often reject Germany’s social democracy in favor of more open democracies like America, which allow for traditional values. The very definition of democracy is the tolerance of dissent among its own citizenry, which socialist Germany-similar to its WW2 predecessor rejected. Like a page out of an over-worn history book, modern Germany has heard the cries of children being ripped from the loving embrace of their family to a state-sponsored family as the German government imposes the mandate for indoctrination at state-run schools in the effort to silence parallel thought, parallel values, parallel dissent, and parallel societies.

If karma, like justice were truly blind, it would be difficult to deny the fact that Germany- as a nation and a society- bears enormous guilt. Germany bears responsibility for the lives that were lost due to Germany’s aggression in WWI. Lives that were lost due to Germany’s aggression and social policies in WWII. And, more modernly, responsibility for depriving children of their nurturing and loving families. Karma will not forever be cheated. Both Nazi-era Germany and the modern state, fear parallel societies that think, believe, and behave differently from the state-sanctioned norm. God, like karma, has a natural way of bringing “ones way upon ones head, even though it be harsh and bitter” (Jer 4:18; Prov 1:31; Ezek 22:31).

Karma is now exacting Germany’s due penance. Germany killed over 6 million Jews. It now faces an immigration crisis of over 6 million ‘refugees’ that demand a truly parallel society.  These ‘refugees’ pose the greatest threat to German democracy, democratic values, and autonomous German society since WW2. Unlike post-war social movements that embrace differing ideas of democracy, the refugee movement offers a true parallel society that -like Nazism-rejects democracy all together.

Germany has refused to learn from history and appears all too willing to be cuddled by the lulling and embracing words of her politicians and social philosophers. She has willingly offered her society and her children on the state’s altar of socialistic multiculturalism. Now faced with an immigrant invasion that represents a truly threatening and domineering parallel society, Germans lack the conscience to distinguish between Muslim invaders and the Jewish minorities they once oppressed.

Facts exist that karma will not ignore. Muslim invaders and refugees are not the oppressed Jews that were hunted down and killed for the sake of being Jewish.  Prior to WW2, Jews were not teaching their fellow Jews to harm Germans.  Jews had no agenda to set up their own kingdom in Europe or any other place on earth other than reclaiming their ancient homeland within the land of Israel. Jews in Germany were not raping German or European women. Jews in Germany were not destroying private property or attacking businesses. Jews in Germany were not demanding social services or support for their communities. In fact, Jews in Germany were quite independent and financially successful. Hitler hated the success that this parallel society could enjoy. Success outside of the socialist state.  None of these factors parallel the current Muslim invasion of Europe or Germany. Muslims embrace every Nazi ideal that the Jews did not. The Muslim holy book, the Koran, teaches its believers to harm those who do not accept the Muslim faith. Muslims have an agenda of setting up their own kingdom in Europe called a Caliphate. Muslims have long used rape as a form of demographic genocide and intimidation to convert populations to an Islamic identity. Muslims are all too happy to continue the Nazi tradition of attacking private property and destroying businesses. Muslims have an open agenda of hating Jews and destroying the State of Israel. And Muslim immigrants in Germany continue to demand the German people support their welfare – from housing to medical care, and social support. Is it any wonder that Mein Kampf continues to be a best-seller among Muslims-both in Europe and the Mid-East?

Germany’s leaders-Hitler’s young successors and their protégés- see this crisis the ultimate opportunity to realize Hitler’s dream of eliminating social class, race, and social dissent under the pretext of making amends for genocide against a former immigrant and racial class-without any harm to the ruling class. No longer will there be Syrian, immigrant, German citizen, or refugee. All will be one: One nation. One class. One people. One social status. One government. For Germany’s leaders, Islam is the best vehicle by which to achieve this post-Nazi era ideal. Islam does not allow criticism of its politics or religion. Its people demand the submission of native citizens. Jews are taxed heavily or put to death. There is no moral precedent to hold leaders accountable for human rights. And, Germany can again dominate by the demand to Islamic submission. But who will ultimately pay for Germany’s new popular, yet parallel society?

Karma can be cruel, exacting its dept and making atonement through society’s weakest and most vulnerable. One debt karma recently visited was the horrible New Year’s Day assault on hundreds of women throughout Germany by the state-mandated new, parallel society.  Like bygone eras, it is the German citizens that will pay for the nation’s passively aggressive immigration policies. Taxes, not reparations will support the invaders. Citizens will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of tolerance and accommodation. German’s land will be claimed by immigrants seeking asylum to establish a parallel society that will clash and rival German democratic values. And what about women? Despite rhetoric on equal rights and equal protection under the law, this new parallel society affords no such recognition. In fact, like its Nazi predecessors, it despises equal rights of any group other than Islamic males. Germany faces its greatest moral crises since WW2 and the question remains whether its citizens will finally throw off its shackles of socialist government indoctrination to demand self-preserving accountability.

Karma, though cruel, can often be appeased through justice and good judgment. This appeasement must begin where the problem began- the state. Similar to 1936, Germans have the choice to support the status-quo or unite together as a people. Germans can do what their ancestors did not. They can speak up and take control by creating a new “parallel” German society. German parents can reclaim their children from the state by teaching values that will instill a conscience, which understands liberty and how that liberty must be defended and protected. Parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and cousins can stand together for the sake of their own liberty, realizing that the socialist coddling only benefits the state. Citizens can protest better than any immigrant. Citizens can unite on social media and work together to advocate social policies that will benefit-not subjugate their citizens. And, Germans citizens can produce an environment where immigrants no longer desire to live. Most of all, German citizens cannot give up. Germany can avert reaping what they have sown by developing a conscience based on democratic rather than socialist values. Germany still owes Karma a huge debt, the question remains whether its citizens will offer this generation to atone for its past sins or finally put an end to Hitler’s socialist dream once and for all.

 

Image of Jodell Onstott
Jodell Onstott
ABOUT

Jodell Onstott

Jodell Onstott is a renowned Socio-Biblical and historical research specialist with expertise in comparative biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. As the author of five insightful books, Jodell’s work reveals timeless, value-based principles that resonate with modern politics and economics.

Her acclaimed series YHWH Exists (Volumes 1 & 2) is the culmination of 16 years of meticulous research, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the archaeological, historical, and religious foundations of Ancient Israel—and their implications for Judaism and Christianity. Her forthcoming titles further explore the archaeological and scriptural evidence for pivotal biblical events like the Exodus and Israel’s conquest.

A sought-after speaker and media guest, Jodell has appeared on programs such as the Jeff Crouere Show, Dove TV, and Hebrew Radio Nation. Through her writing, research, and talks, Jodell inspires readers and listeners to explore the profound connections between Scripture, history, and today’s world.

Je Suis Charlie: Biblical View of Free Speech and Satire

Je Suis Charlie: Biblical View of Free Speech and Satire

Anniversaries evoke joy or sorrow. This year, misfortune triumphs. Since the massacre, France and Europe have been plagued by continued violence and terrorism fostered by Islamic creed. Not only has Charlie paid dearly for its right to uninhibited free speech, but so has France. Seemingly, the movement for which the brutally calculating terrorists killed these talented artists is gaining strength.

Alone does Charlie Hebdo continue the peaceful battle for free speech. Alone does Charlie draw for Western democracy. Alone does Charlie poke fun at the world – particularly Islam. Alone does Charlie point out the absurdities of Islamic creed and alone in Charlie’s humor do we naturally find absurdities. A growing number of Western media outlets are succumbing to the cry for intolerance of free speech and a sense of humor, yet Charlie remains one of the few delightful irreverent voices that knows no boundaries.
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If Charlie Hebdo and democratic societies temper their literary protest, the democratic right to protest will be erased by other people’s faith.
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As an American who values free speech, democracy, and constitutional liberties, I wondered if the Bible could shed any enlightenment. Pope Francis responded to the debate over free speech stating that there are limits to expression of speech.

“One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people’s faith, one cannot make fun of faith,” he said. “There is a limit. Every religion has its dignity . . .in freedom of expression, there are limits.” Breaking it down in everyday terms, Francis reiterated, “If [a close friend] says a swear word against my mother, he’s going to get a punch in the nose.” (Pope Francis, January 15, 2015)

Do Pope Francis’s remarks reflect Biblical values?

The prophet Isaiah was the Charlie Hebdo of his day. Around 700 BCE, Babylon was a growing geo-political power. Similar to the disparity in values between Western democracies and the policies endorsed by Sharia, ancient Israel faced a religious and political system alien to its own constitutional values. In one propaganda piece, the prophet mocks Babylon and her religious beliefs. Isaiah 13-14 prophecies of a taunt that a righteous people will use to mock a dead and deified king of Babylon. A king that held particular significance for Babylon’s people and a leader who the Babylonian’s believed had ascended into heaven (Isa 14:13). The taunt uses both sarcasm and satire to point out that the Babylonian Savior did not ascend into heaven, but did in fact die like all other men (14:11). Isaiah continues to prophecy how the nations, who are at peace (14:7) will tire of the Babylonian rhetoric and will finally put an end to it (14:21-22).

Isaiah’s use of parody is quite effective. And, we could be tempted to conclude that there exist no limits to the topics satire can relate. What happens when any criticism, even valid criticism, is deemed offensive and insulting to a particular faith? If Charlie Hebdo and democratic societies temper their literary protest, the democratic right to protest will be erased by other people’s faith.

This brings us back to the biblical view of freedom of speech and what, if any limits should be placed on it.
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Isaiah did not directly mock Babylon’s god, but prophesied . . . that world would tire of recycled theology being used as a decoy for the real theology behind which the deity’s political agenda hid.
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The Constitution laid down at Mt. Sinai instituted two very specific injunctions on free speech. The first injunction prohibited citizens from speaking against the Constitution’s validity for their nation or for their generation.

“Cursed be he that confirms not all the words of this law to do them.” (Deut 27:26, American KJV)

This injunction prohibited Israel’s society from speaking against the legitimacy of Israel’s constitution. (It did not – as is often mistranslated – mean that everyone had obey every law, rather they had to support it socially and politically.) This mandate did not prohibit valid debate regarding how the Constitution should be applied or its intent. It did prohibit citizens from expunging constitutional liberties or arguing that the Constitution was no longer relevant or appropriate for their progressive generation. Modernly, enacting a constitutional amendment that prohibits U.S. citizens from discrediting the legitimacy of the U.S. Constitution would be a similar equivalent. The principle underlying this injunction is the preservation of liberty: undermining the constitution eliminates the government’s accountability to a standard of human rights, leads to tyranny, and ultimately, to national suicide.

The second injunction on free speech sought to protect both the unity of the people and prevent conflicts with other peoples, nations, and cultures.

“You shall not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of your people.” (Exod 22:28; see also Exod 20:12)

Curses prophesied of a negative future for a person, society, or even other gods. This injunction on free speech prohibited curses against the gods of other nations, similar to Pope Francis’s admonition. The extension of this prohibition on speech was that God’s name (Yahweh, often translated the LORD) should not be used in vain (Exod 20:7; Deut 5:11). The second part of this the injunction on free speech constrained citizens from bitterly cursing their ruler. Curses that affected the ruler would trickle down and adversely affect the people while injecting society with a spirit of division and polarization. This injunction in no way prohibited criticism of the nation’s leader(s), but cursing his future was not an option. If the ruler had violated the Constitution (or its principles), he should be held accountable by the other branches of government that existed to balance his power and authority. If those branches grew corrupt, the power to reestablish constitutional governance always rested with the people (which is witnessed in the many times Judah revolted against the Monarchy to establish another eligible heir in his father’s stead).

The Moasic Code did not discourage the free expression of speech, but it did seek to protect its citizens from being “hit in the nose” as the Pope termed it. Isaiah was careful in the way he crafted his taunt of Babylon’s erroneous deity. Isaiah did not directly mock Babylon’s god, but prophesied of a day when a world would tire of recycled theology being used as a decoy for the real theology behind which the deity’s political agenda hid.

The Mosaic Constitution established sound principles. Principles that can provide healing in France and throughout the world. Mosaic principles secured the rights of people to speak their minds while restraining citizens from making themselves odious to other nations, which did not embrace their constitutional or value-based ideals. These stipulations by no means limited criticism or the freedom to point out the absurdity of another’s beliefs, but it did encourage honest dialog that always kept the nation’s constitutional principles close to its heart and respected everyone’s mothers (whether righteous or not).

 

Image of Jodell Onstott
Jodell Onstott
ABOUT

Jodell Onstott

Jodell Onstott is a renowned Socio-Biblical and historical research specialist with expertise in comparative biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. As the author of five insightful books, Jodell’s work reveals timeless, value-based principles that resonate with modern politics and economics.

Her acclaimed series YHWH Exists (Volumes 1 & 2) is the culmination of 16 years of meticulous research, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the archaeological, historical, and religious foundations of Ancient Israel—and their implications for Judaism and Christianity. Her forthcoming titles further explore the archaeological and scriptural evidence for pivotal biblical events like the Exodus and Israel’s conquest.

A sought-after speaker and media guest, Jodell has appeared on programs such as the Jeff Crouere Show, Dove TV, and Hebrew Radio Nation. Through her writing, research, and talks, Jodell inspires readers and listeners to explore the profound connections between Scripture, history, and today’s world.

Is Israel Repeating the Mistakes of the Past?

Is Israel Repeating the Mistakes of the Past?

Life and death hung in a precipitous balance. Leaders were self-serving. The military ignored basic security measures. Warnings went unheeded that day. We had grown accustomed to the enemy’s violence. Terror attacks were simply part of our way of life. We were gaslit into accepting violence and instability as our price for living upon our ancestral land. Then, they tore down our wall. They breached our defenses. Our children, our sons and daughters, our future were brutally murdered. Our sons and daughters were stolen, carried away by another people. We looked forward to their return. With longing and failing eyes we sought for our hostages to return…yet our might and our voice was impotent. They were dying in captivity. Would any live to return?

Now, a nation from afar was gathering its forces once more. They had not regarded the young, nor shown favor to the young. Their brutality knew no limits, not even the cattle of our fields were spared. Each day, our lives seemed to hang in doubt before us. We were but a leaf shaken and blown in the wind. Life offered no assurance. Neither day nor night offered protection. Yet, in the face of this disaster, we feasted boldly, claiming our resistance and historical right to this land. We were entitled based solely on our heritage.

Amid our calamity, trusted allies, friends upon whom we could historically rely, began to disavow. They broke their word, their bond, and their alliance. They were now collaborating with the enemy. Who would save us? Was disaster certain? Although our military was strong, we were increasingly isolated. Why should we repent of anything? We were the victims in this conflict. We have Divine Right.

Eight years had passed since Jechoniah’s deportation to Babylon. Our hostages were not coming back. While our resolve was strong, public sentiment among the nations considered us the source of instability. Defending our own lives impeded progress. Babylon had already infiltrated and conquered the surrounding states. Yet, public morale within Israel was strong. We had many valiant leaders who gave us cause to hope. We had the latest technology (Isa 41:15), we had one of the strongest armies. And, we had God on our side, “Behold, all they that are incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded” (Isa 11:11). All our pundits echoed this chorus. Many proclaimed that in 2 years the enemy would be no more (Jer 28:3).

There was one lone, irritating voice. The troublemaker Jeremiah. He kept talking about how our nation had departed from the Divine Plan (Jer 11:8), leading to our loss of God’s protection. We had no inherent right to the land, unless we obeyed God’s plan. He accused us of departing from God’s way, favoring immorality. Anything for a party. Love triumphed over Law. He charged our judges with partiality before the law. The naysayer always talked of conspiracy among the elite (Jer 11:9). He also accused us of ignoring the God who gave us our land. He said we took the land but ignored its conditions. He claimed we had returned to our forefather’s iniquities (Jer 11:10). We offered God nothing but the show of song and prayer, mixed with platitudes. Were we really still bound to that old covenant?

I suddenly bolted awake from this dream with a much keener dread. The past was now my new reality. Do we replay the past? Does history continue to repeat? As I looked around, I saw college campuses again calling for the extermination of my homeland and my people. Our people are being discriminated against, denied service in other nations. People among the nations are again shouting in glee at our misadventure. Rockets destroyed agriculture, turning our land into brass. A handful of terrorists chased three thousand party goers. Ten terrorists had chased thousands of Israelis from a kibbutz. Our hostages were not coming home. Everyone had lost a family or friend. Our leaders are relying solely on the power of their military might. Is all this a script?

As I surveyed the facts, I had to wonder about the age-old question that has plagued both Judaism and Christianity: are we still bound to the old covenant? Can we pick the aspects of the Divine Law we will obey? Am I better to choose than God? Is it out of date? Has our modern society progressed beyond this ancient moral document? Does God exist? What does it matter if we party with a Buddha upon a DJ stand?

Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah told us we rebelled soon after immigrating to the Promised Land. We pride ourselves in being a secular state. Have the past 70 years only been the repeat of our ancestor’s cycle? Does our right to exist upon this land still hinge upon our obedience? Has God changed? Will our blindness in the noonday ever see, peace still hinges upon our obedience to the original Divine Plan?

~Written on behalf of an Israeli friend

Jodell Onstott is the author of YHWH Exists and the soon to be released title, Does Jesus Exist?

Is Israel’s access to the Promised Land guaranteed?  https://shorturl.at/uojfK

 

Image of Jodell Onstott
Jodell Onstott
ABOUT

Jodell Onstott

Jodell Onstott is a renowned Socio-Biblical and historical research specialist with expertise in comparative biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. As the author of five insightful books, Jodell’s work reveals timeless, value-based principles that resonate with modern politics and economics.

Her acclaimed series YHWH Exists (Volumes 1 & 2) is the culmination of 16 years of meticulous research, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the archaeological, historical, and religious foundations of Ancient Israel—and their implications for Judaism and Christianity. Her forthcoming titles further explore the archaeological and scriptural evidence for pivotal biblical events like the Exodus and Israel’s conquest.

A sought-after speaker and media guest, Jodell has appeared on programs such as the Jeff Crouere Show, Dove TV, and Hebrew Radio Nation. Through her writing, research, and talks, Jodell inspires readers and listeners to explore the profound connections between Scripture, history, and today’s world.