Written by Greg Clovis |
Indoctrination by controlling all forms of media is one of Communism’s most powerful and effective tactics.
An Iron Curtain Descends
Central to Our Lady’s message at Fatima in 1917 is the rise of Russia and the spread of its errors leading to persecution of the Church and untold suffering for humanity. The remedy for this – the Consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart by the Pope and Catholic bishops – was given by Heaven prior to devastating calamites. The Consecration has not been made and so we are now living out the terrible woes detailed in Our Lady’s conditional prophecy.
After World War II, Communist regimes seized control of most of Eastern Europe and severely restricted personal freedoms, especially in the realms of economics and politics, while simultaneously suppressing religious practices and promoting atheism. The State exerted tight control over media and communication, ensuring the promotion of State narratives while censoring independent or critical journalism. Those who opposed the State’s ideology faced severe punishment. This situation was referred to as an “Iron Curtain” falling across Europe.[i]
Control the Media, Control Minds
The technological advancements of the past century have been astounding and have impacted individuals personally and societies generally. Moreover, this has given powerful western oligarchs the tools with which to gain and maintain control over the masses, the media being foremost. Those who control the media and governing bodies exercise immense power over how information is spread and understood.
Our Lord told His disciples: “If you hold to My teaching,… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Today, however, it is increasingly difficult to discern that liberating truth. Access to truthful information through news outlets and education is crucial for maintaining a well-informed society. In a free society, individuals must have not only access to objective information but also the intellectual tools from education to interpret it. People could then thoughtfully engage in public debates and decision-making, especially on matters concerning religion, health, housing, voting, and moral issues. This access ensures a free society where informed life choices can be made.
In contrast, under Communist or authoritarian systems, the relationship between truth, news, and education is often distorted by the State’s dominant ideology and narratives. Through manipulation, they create the illusion that people are making free and informed choices when, in reality, they have been indoctrinated.
The rise of the internet, social media, and alternative media initially gave hope that broader access to information would counterbalance the influence of mainstream media and promote free speech. However, it is now evident that many Western governments, in collaboration with large corporations, are using these platforms to manipulate and deceive their populations. This is particularly evident in the ongoing wars, orchestrated political coups, and the spread of misinformation during the COVID pandemic, which kept populations in a state of fear. In light of these developments, we must affirm that the errors of Russia have spread throughout the world.
A Battle for the Youth
In the West, the rate of abortion exceeds that of modern-day Russia. The media’s normalization of sexual immorality, birth control, abortion, same-sex relationships, and transgenderism has corrupted youth. Population control is praised, while large families are denigrated, and the concept of chastity is regarded as unrealistic. Thus, Western institutions of news and education, by undermining the teachings of the Catholic Church while simultaneously promoting cultic practices, have become moral minefields for young minds.
Fortunately, many astute and faithful individuals recognize the falsehoods of our time. They heed the call of Our Lady of Fatima, and in order to reject the errors of Russia, they educate their children at home, nurturing their minds with Christian virtues that alone are the path to eternal life.
O Holy Virgin Mary, Who destroys all heresies, pray for us!
Read more about how the ‘errors of Russia’ have spread across the world in the 133rd Issue of The Fatima Crusader (Fall 2024), Communism: An Error of Russia.
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ENDNOTE:
[i] Winston Churchill coined this phrase in a speech given on May 5, 1946 at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He may have been providing a response to Joseph Stalin’s February 9, 1946 speech where the Soviet Prime Minister insisted that war between the West and East was inevitable. Churchill said, “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” Most history books consider the ‘Cold War’ to have lasted from this time until 1989.