Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl00065)

Dear John Vorstermans,

I don't know how much of an illusion you think it is, if I live in a country
where, if I open my mouth to voice an opinion which doesn't conform with the
Party Line, they'll right away give me a ride to the nearest concentration
camp, or to a Gulag, have your pick. I don't know how free it is, if my
German friend's grandfather was made to join the Nazi Party because if he
hadn't, he would have lost his job at the German Postoffice; nor how free it
was that she herself joined the Hitler Youth, because the other kids in her
class threatened to beat her up, if she wouldn't. Incidentally, my cusin
Eric, who was brought up Unitarian, but had Jewish ancestors, was beaten up
so badly in 4th grade by his classmates that they broke his nose. I hope you
don't call that freedom. I don't.

Liesel
...........................................................................

>Liesel wrote:
>
>>I just thought of a very important meaning of freedom, at least to me it is.
>>It's the freedom I have of being able to live in the US, where I can pretty
>>well say & do as I please, rather than being forced to live under an
>>oppressive ditatorship.
>
>Interesting perspective.  Freedom is much an illusion and very much a
>thing of perseption or experience.
>
>Certainly in your case you have seen some contrast in to two lifestyles but
>in the end I think you will find there is little real freedom in either.
>
>Cryptic perhaps but worth some contemplation?
>
>John
>
>--
>John Vorstermans
>PO Box 11-410
>Wellington
>Mobile (025) 432-987
>
>
>
>