Conscience that fits fashion

The 1950's was an era in which one of the most egregious errors in United States Government policy was spawned. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and later the United States Senate orchestrated an attempt to purge suspected Communists from society. The post World War Two "Cold War" was gathering momentum. One radio preacher to whom Pat and I listened well into the ‘60's was certain that a Communist was under every bed and lurking on the faculties of even evangelical seminaries. People were hailed before panels to defend their right to keep their government job when the FBI documented that their car was seen parked near the home of someone suspected of un-American activity. Innocent people’s lives were ruined on hearsay and were not allowed counsel at hearings that legitimately may be named witch hunts. President Harry Truman considered his executive order allowing the dark practices his greatest error in office.

One of the tragedies of the dark season in our history is that thousands of people lost their jobs and never recovered economically or emotionally. Many, possibly a majority, were Jewish immigrants who had fled Hitler’s purge of millions. Antisemitism ran rampant in the FBI and was part of the moral flaw that allowed much of the activity. Others were harassed because their efforts to break the stranglehold of Jim Crow racism.

Lillian Hellman testified before one of the tribunals May 19, 1952 and her response to her accusers was, "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions." I cannot be sure of Ms. Hellman’s guilt or innocense, nor am I certain of any other individual’s standing. But, I am certain the Lillian Hellman’s statement concerning conscience is an appropriate template for authentic disciples of Jesus. In an era of slippery moral convictions that have permeated our culture, evangelicals must be as committed to holy living. Those who confess Jesus as Savior must maintain sterling character. A descriptive line in Hebrews helps us understand, "The world was not worthy of them." (Hebrews 11:38) The context, the conditions under which the too-good-for-the-world people qualified for the divine compliment, brings the truth in 3-D and vibrant color.
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— (11:35-37)
Many Americans were uneasy but remained silent, fearful and unwilling to risk their standing in the community. Justice was trampled underfoot. People’s reputations, ability to earn a living, and hope for the future were ruined before an end to the witch hunts was ordered.

In a men’s Sunday School class in the 1960's, the teacher pointed out, "When a culture is in trouble, political leaders make the church the scapegoat." Persecution of authentically spiritual people occurs because of political expediency, to maintain power. As world leaders wrestle today with economic issues so complex that what happens in Athens will have an impact on Wall Street tomorrow, evangelicals ought to pay close attention and decide now how they will answer before the tribunal of public opinion or the bar of political convenience. Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount are worthy of noting. "It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire." An adaptation of Ms. Hellman’s testimony before mere mortals will serve us well when we stand before the Eternal Judge, "I could not and would not cut my conscience to fit the world's fashions."