Subversion

There is a beautiful video on the web of John Cleese and Michael Palin talking to some religious folk who were offended by Life of Brian. The Monty Python of course were considered subversive for mocking Jesus and Cleese points out that they don't mock Christ, or religion in general except to say that people should make up their own mind. Watch it on youtube if you get a chance. It is just brilliant. 

A friend had posted this video on Facebook. And someone had commented that "You seem to dispise (sic) Christians and Christianity. It's kinda like hitting a little kid cause u know they won't hit u back or won't inflict much pain back."

I am surprised by this response for I can't imagine a  universe in which Christianity is a poor little kid who won't hit back.  

My friend pointed me to a lecture of Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB guy who defected to the west and spoke about KGB subversion tactics. He kinda made the point that the modern faithless culture is a product of these KGB tactics. According to Yuri, religion and other pillars of western civilisation are being discredited and subverted by communist propaganda. Yuri is a clever clever man and yes nations can be brought down by propaganda and disinformation... but man! he is odious. For instance, he argues that equality is un-natural, social security makes the country weak, individuals should be allowed to work for 2 dollars instead of join a union that wants to fight for 3. Why do you need 3 dollars in the first place... learn to be satisfied with 2. Things like that. 

At the least, could it not be argued that Berzmenov is actually doing the KGB subversion when he is in the west giving these lectures. Because now instead of saying Eureka! I have an idea... All men are created equal, you say, Oh wait a second. Am I thinking that or am I made to think that. You are constantly second guessing every thing you think, wondering if this is a judo move of the KGB to subvert your nation. Berzmenov has succeeded then to sow doubt, made you reconsider every thought old and new. It is not a double-cross... it is a triple cross. 

As for religion being subverted by secularist stooges of the Soviet Union, I would argue that religion is not being subverted so much as being the subverter. Organised religion is and has been the means of subversion. The Roman empire embraced Chistianity as a tool of their designs. Even in modern history, the loss of native culture and religion has been by the subversion orchestrated by colonial powers, oftentimes under the cloak of the church. i am reminded of Achebe's Things fall apart and Arrow of god. Agree with me or not on the subversion, you will have to accede that they are still a very powerful institution. They are neither innocent nor helpless. If anything one could probably compare the Church to  a grumpy 80 yr old with a cane. It would be a more appropriate picture of the church than a runt with a runny nose. And you can honestly say "Don't pick on that poor old man. It is disrespectful"