The evil who must not be named

Neo-Nazi.

Why would a group even choose to be identified with one of history’s greatest abominations? To do so suggests not only a belief in the supremacy of your race, but that you are proud of your bigotry and don’t care who knows it. “Neo-Nazis” (or new Nazis) have been around for over a decade in continental Europe, where Turks and other Muslims are rapidly becoming the most numerous ethnic minority. The neo-Nazis seek to keep Germany pure—Germany for Germans only—and use tactics of intimidation against those of other races. Therein lies the problem. The problem of immigration in Europe, coupled with an almost nonexistent birthrate among the native population, is real. But due to a sense of political correctness gone amok, no one wants to admit that the long-standing European tradition of tolerance has invited a very intolerant and sometimes violent population into the heart of what used to be known as “Christendom.” The murder of Dutch filmmaker van Gogh and the British tube bombings in July are two recent and glaring examples of the consequences of this policy. But to challenge the immigration policy brings charges of racism and affiliation with the Neo-Nazis. And the denial continues. And the big elephant is still in the living room and no one wants to talk about it.

Recently, Dr. William Bennett, former Education secretary, drug czar and editor of The Book of Virtues, made the following comment on his radio show: "If you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossibly ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down.” Bennett was opining philosophically that utilitarian arguments against abortion are dangerous, and that a pro-life position should be defended on the basis of life, and not its benefit to society. But a major uproar ensued. Demands for apologies came from the African-American community and from the congressional Black caucus. Even the White House distanced itself from Bennett’s comments. Why? What did he say that was so wrong? He obviously denounced the thought of a eugenic slaughter of blacks as morally reprehensible, even though that was really one of the goals of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood. Bill Bennett dared to utter this statistically undeniable fact: the crime rate is higher among blacks than among any other ethnic group. And that was the shameful fact that the African-American leaders did not want mentioned. And the denial continues. And as long as denial continues, how can a solution to be found?

This past weekend, Neo-nazis planned to meet for a rally in Toledo and then march on the sidewalks. Despite their racist beliefs, there is very little doubt that the constitution protects their right of free speech and their right of assembly. So Toledo’s city government could not prevent them from their planned “demonstration.” And if you think that racist or “hate” speech should be outlawed, how long do you think it would be before a Christian pastor and congregation who denounces homosexuality, for example, would be considered “bigoted” and “hateful?” No, a better response to the neo-Nazis would have simply been to ignore them.

But why Toledo? Why at this time? The neo-Nazis sought to expose and confront the problem of gang activity. So who should show up to confront the racist group? The gangs! And, as if on cue, they proceeded to prove the neo-Nazis’ point by engaging in all sorts of violence and vandalism. I saw footage of a gang of thugs throwing rocks at an ambulance, and of brutes kicking in the apartment door of an 86-year old innocent man. I read reports of destruction of gas stations and vandalism of stores; in short, of every imaginable sin. It reminded me of the reports that came out of New Orleans in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, when looters, marauders, and murderers made rescue operations even more difficult than they were already by shooting at the rescue helicopters, and who decided that they should help themselves not only to perishable food and water but also to big screen TVs and other luxury items. So instead of ignoring the racism of the neo-Nazis, the gang members seem to have proven their point, and it would not surprise me if their recruitment of new skinheads actually increases as a result.

What is wrong with the African-American community? There is a deep pathology there that I don’t think can be attributed to people like Martin Luther King, Jr., who dreamed of a color-blind society where people would be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. There is serious rejection of community values, there is a pattern of blaming others and claiming victimhood as an excuse for all manner of evil, a culture of promiscuity and drug abuse and crime. In the book of Romans, St. Paul warned that when evil humans would reject God and his law, that in judgment God would “give them over” to every manner of degradation. In other words, there is nothing to curb or hold back the evil of the sin nature that lurks as part of every human. The brakes seem to be released, and the truck is careening downhill out of control.

Not all African-Americans are in blind denial. Comedian and actor Bill Cosby challenged the meeting of the NAACP criticizing the lack of interest in education. Rap music's violent and misogynist themes are also well-documented. These things are like the big elephant in the room. The African-American community was shocked that a brother would air the dirty laundry in public. But how can a problem ever be solved if the problem is not identified? How can a disease be cured if the patient refuses to acknowledge that there’s something wrong?

The obvious root of all behavioral pathology is sin. The Christian church can do all sorts of compassionate things for the poor in these communities; we can love them, spend time with them, feed them and dress them. But these things will never overcome the evil-to-the-core wickedness that blights urban gang centers like Toledo and Detroit. It didn’t overcome the rotten nature in my flesh and in yours, either. But the Gospel, the power of God for salvation for all who believe, can change those hearts. The answer isn’t more neo-Nazi racism. The answer isn’t to pay reparations for slavery. The answer isn’t more government dependency. It’s to call sin “sin” and to offer forgiveness and restoration in Christ. Being a true evangelical means to feed the soul, not just the body. And when the Gospel is at work, and lives change through a relationship with Jesus, and lives are lived to the glory of God and not in the pursuit of evil, this is the real solution to society’s ills.