Courageous witness in Brazil
Courageous witness by Chamelly Stephanie
Christian friends, you are not alone in your struggle, no matter where you are. Your brothers and sisters follow the same God and the same Savior.
And, as He said: Narrow is the way that leadeth unto life and few there are that find it.
A young woman recently contacted Julio Severo’s Portuguese-language blog about her pro-life experience during Brazilian elections. First I need to say I admire and feel a certain solidarity with my courageous Catholic friends in the pro-life movement. Having said that, let’s look at the question this young woman poses:
How can the Church be silent?
First, on the subject of apostasy, this site has so far focused mostly on the Protestant church, as shown here and here, for example. Apostasy is endemic to Christianity, is predicted in the Bible and is part of the age-old human trait of sin. Now, to answer Chamelly’s question, we must turn our attention to the Catholic church. I think the big question that Chamelly must come to terms with is: How can the Church endorse or at least tolerate the totalitarian ideology of socialism as it is manifested, for example, in Latin nations like Brazil?
The fact is, for centuries, the Church in Europe was itself a totalitarian entity. For example, it prohibited commoners from reading the Bible on their own. Further, there have been numerous examples of Catholic priests endorsing socialism in Latin America and some Popes (like the pro-Moscow John XIII) have collaborated with totalitarian regimes. Pius XII signed the Reich Concordat with Hitler rather than opposing the Third Reich. As for the Church’s silent consent to socialism, a little literary history sheds light on that.
In 1516, Thomas More, a prominent and influential English cleric, who became Lord Chancellor in 1529, wrote a novel expounding his philosophy of social and political thought, describing a model of the ideal state he dreamed of and wanted for all of humanity. In it he describes a perfect society in which life is micromanaged — regimented down to the last detail included the clothes one may wear — and wealth is distributed equitably. As in the USSR, travel is restricted and citizens must apply for permission to travel. Those who travel without permission can be sentenced to a lifetime of slavery.
And the picture of equality is utterly destroyed when we learn that life… is largely based on slavery. Slaves do all the dirty work.
Describing what happens to rebellious citizens, More writes:
“If even after this treatment [being enslaved] they still rebel and put up resistance, they are slaughtered like wild beasts.”
The title of More’s novel was “Utopia,” and it has served as a general model for most socialist states like the USSR, Mao’s China, Pol Pot’s Cambodia, Castro’s Cuba and others, which have been responsible for the deaths of over 100 million, not counting the babies slaughtered by abortion in “civilized” countries like the USA and European nations — which would at least double that number.
More ran afoul of the powers that be in England by endorsing the Catholic church and was executed by Henry the 8th’s regime.
So what did the Catholic church do with this man who endorsed totalitarian socialism, slavery and brutal executions of dissidents?
In 1935 they canonized him. He is now a Saint.
This is the apostasy and false Christianity that Jesus warned us about, Chamelly. We need to follow His commandment:
“come out from among them and be ye separate.”
Don Hank
Translation of Chamelly’s email:
Hi, Julio. How are you?
It is a huge pleasure to speak to you.
I have been following your blog for quite some time, and I feel the same as you do about what is happening in Brazil, namely, the efforts by a group of authoritarian citizens to legalize iniquity in our nation, and the pushing of PLC 122 [hate-crime legislation proposed by members of the leftist PT, or Workers’ Party, of Brazilian President Lula da Silva] to muzzle criticism against homosexuality] that impacts our principles or faith. Last Sunday I made a silent protest, when I went to the ballot box in the morning. All day long I wore a t-shirt, which is my way to warn about the threat that is called PT. The incredible thing is that I had already paid to a printing shop in Taquara-JPA, here in Rio de Janeiro, for my order to print the shirts with some slogans, but when I went to get them October 2, the employee said that his shop could not make the printed T-shirts. Why? Just because of political issues! So I decided to make them myself by hand. I went to vote, and an election official at the voting place tried to prevent me from wearing my shirt, without realizing that on election day I was in fact entitled to make a silent protest under Brazilian Law 9.504/97. Of course, I exercised my right and I voted, wearing my T-shirt “ABORTO NÃO, PT NÃO” (No abortion, no PT), because today I have free speech, am not muzzled and do not live in a dictatorship. But for how long?
That same Sunday morning, I went to the church I attend, and a leader asked me to put on a jacket, because that day was an election day and the message on my shirt was very strong. This individual said that “it could get him in trouble later.” Believe me, the worst thing that can happen is not to be judged in the streets; it is be crucified within the church, which actually should warn its members about what is happening backstage in the Congress and Senate — that everybody there is not as beautiful as they appear.
How long will the church remain silent, without opposing what is happening in Brazil?
I am proud to be able to read your blog revealing truths, and to see your courage. I am proud to see Rev. Silas Malafaia attracting an outdoor crowd 600 strong in Rio de Janeiro to defend human procreation, to see such an important leader as Rev. Paschoal Piragine putting on YouTube a video warning the church of the major problems that occur when you elect a PT member again.
If one cannot speak about political issues within the church, then why do Brazilian churches distribute voter info and suggest candidates to vote for? Such hypocrisy! Why does the church have such fear of being judged, of being crucified by the media? Isn’t this the same church that says it was crucified with Christ? I do not care about the things they say, or whether they throw stones, or if the church I attend has a big name. I am not going to cover my eyes and later, when our Bible is banned from distribution, cry out “Oh, it’s so hard to follow Jesus!”
I want to see how the Church of Christ will behave when things get really hard.
What I have decided to do amounts to the silent shout of an individual that is disgusted when learning of PNDH-3 and PLC 122/06. This is an effort — who knows? — to change, personal views of people blinded by the fantasy and manipulation of Globo Network, by the Workers’s Party and others, into a reflection on the number of murders of our children and the homosexual dictatorship that will take place if these follies are established in Brazil. I decided that, until October 31, I will wear no other shirts but these, to reach the largest number of people. I am tired of not seeing anyone doing anything, of seeing the Church silent in the face of these follies. Whether I am judged or not, crucified or not (I have already been crucified with Christ on the cross of Calvary), I am going to defend my faith and the Word that is my guide. I fear the Lord, not people. This world has nothing to offer us. They want to make sport of God’s Word, family, children and all things perfect that God dreamed of for man. The time has come for God’s people to say NO to all of this. I have courage, and by faith I am going to do that which gives me peace, in spite of the world.
God gave us a Spirit of courage, not fear!
A big hug to you and may God give us strength to keep up this magnificent work.
May Jesus bless you.
Respectfully,
Chamelly Stephanie
Translated by Julio Severo. Translation edited by Don Hank
Original Portuguese language blog here:
English version originally published in Laigle’s Forum:
Other articles on the Brazilian presidential elections:
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