On taking the log out of our own eye -the growth of Western totalitarianism.

Jan 24, 2022 by Jill

by Martin Davie:

In the current media coverage of the stand-off between Russia and NATO about the future of Ukraine, and Eastern Europe in general, there is a subtext which implies that underlying the specific issues under dispute between Russia and NATO there is a wider conflict between the political values of a totalitarian Russia on the one hand and Western liberal democracy on the other.

There can be no doubt that there is a very strong degree of totalitarianism in Russia at the moment. If you are an opponent of President Putin and his government your life is likely to be difficult, unpleasant, and even dangerous. However, before we draw too stark a contrast between Russia and the West we have to remember Jesus’ warning about the need to face up to the reality of our own conduct before we sit in judgement on others.

‘Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.’ (Matthew 7:1-5)

In our present situation one of the applications of this teaching by Jesus involves recognising that while there is indeed totalitarianism in Russia there is also a growing totalitarianism in Western liberal democracies as well. In the West you will not run into trouble for opposing the ruling political party, but your life will get difficult and unpleasant if you publicly oppose the pro LGBTQ+ agenda now favoured by the Western cultural and political elite.

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