Fascist Pagans...
Part II
   

   By Axiom

Last issue I began deconstructing and critiquing an article by Harun Yahya, The Pagan Roots Of The Fascist Culture. Due to the large number of inaccuracies in his article, I was only able t cover the first section, Fascists in the Pagan World. This issue, I continue my commentary with a look at Yahya's thoughts on Sparta, apparently a "Model for All Fascists".

Yahya begins by stating that "the most concrete example in the pagan world of a 'fascist' system in the modern sense was the Greek city-state of Sparta." To illustrate his point, he offers the following tidbits (and I quote):

• Sparta was a military state, dedicated to war and violence, and alleged to have been founded by Lycurgos in the 8th century BC.
• Parents in Sparta were responsible for taking care of their sons until the age of seven. From then until the age of 12, children were placed in teams of 15, and those who succeeded in conforming to the rules were selected as leaders.
• Children strengthened their bodies and prepared for war by spending their time doing sports.
• Literacy was unimportant, and there was little interest in music or literature. The only songs the children were allowed to sing and learn were about war and violence.

Yahya manages to blend some truth into his article. For example, Sparta was inarguably a military state. But it was one renowed throughout not only Greece, but the rest of the Ancient Wolrd, for producing disciplined, independent yet team-orientated, intelligent, educated, and socially adept people. Spartans were respected throughout the Greek world and sought after for positions elsewhere. Both the boys and girls were educated in literature, rhetoric, music, arts, politics, etc - making it the most highly educated state in Greece (since the girls were educated to the same standard as the boys rather than not at all). Spartans were renowed for their public display of morality and ethics, their public manners and etiquette, and their speaking skills. Countless references to this can be found within ancient literature and artwork, along with archaeological evidence.

True, they were famous for their fighting ability - but it was by no means the only thing they were famous for. Simply a part of the balanced whole. As for the baby-killing...exposure of weakly infants was common throughout the world. All religions have it within their history including the Judaic (and thus the Islamic and Christian). To our modern eyes it is a reprehensible practice. However at the time technology was such that weakly or disabled children were unlikely to survive and would consume valuable resources in the interim. Exposure was a harsh reality that enabled the society as a whole to survive. To judge such an act by our current moral standards is not only unfair, but also grossly hypocritical. How many starving children and adults are there? Not only in the impoverished third-world countries, but in our very own towns...we may not engage in infantacide, but we certainly let people starve to death or die of curable illnesses. Our technology and resources are such that we could end starvation and the high rate of infant/maternal mortality...not to mention the inroads we could make on preventable diseases.

Exiting my soapbox and returning to Yahya's article, in Sparta (unlike the rest of Greece) both boys and girls were examined under the same standards. It was not gender driven. Children who were strong but not strong enough or perfect enough were reduced in status but kept. More boys were exposed than girls (the exact opposite of the rest of Greece, by the way). Eugenics to us - to the Spartan (a product of a warrior-society where every member was expected to be able to complete a vigourous and harsh schooling) it was simply logical. If a child was not strong and well-made s/he would be a weak link in the chain that protected Sparta. In a land with few natural resources warfare as neighbouring states sought more resources was a given. And every person had to be able to contribute to the survival of the city-state.

To compare this to the Nazis - a modern nation with many resources and the technology to care for the weaker members of society - as Yahya does is ludicrous. The reasoning behind Sparta's actions is vastly different to that behind Germany. Plus, Sparta wasn't involved in forced breeding, sterilisation, and medical experimentation programmes. Sparta was simply acting as social evolution had led it to in order to survive and enjoy life.

I could continue in picking apart this page's attitudes to Greece and Egypt concerning Paganism and Fascism, but it's all more of the same. An attempt to equate Fascist theory with Pagan practice through hindsight and manipulation of facts and events. Instead, let's move onto the next section, "Fascism's Withdrawal in the Face of the Values of Monotheism".
   

The fascist-pagan culture which dominated Europe disappeared by stages with the spread of Christianity in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, first to Rome and then to all of Europe. Christianity carried the basic ethical characteristics of the true religion revealed to man by the Prophet Jesus to European society. Europe, which formerly believed violence, conflict and bloodshed to be sacred and justified, and which was composed of different tribes, races and city-states which constantly fought each other, underwent an important change. Racial and tribal wars disappeared: In the pagan world, all tribes and races saw each other as enemies, and there was constant fighting between them. Each pagan society had its own gods and totems which it invented, and waged war in their name. With the coming of Christianity, there was a single belief, culture, and even language in Europe in general, and the conflict of the pagan world came to an end. Peace and compassion came to be considered sacred, instead of violence: In pagan societies, inflicting bloodshed, suffering and torture was seen as heroic actions that appeased the imaginary 'gods of war.' Under Christianity however, European societies learned that people had to love and have compassion for each other (even for their enemies), and that bloodshed was a great sin in the sight of God. The view of human beings as a species of animal disappeared: Plato regarding the Spartan warriors as equivalent to 'guard dogs' was an extension of the 'animist' belief widespread in pagan societies. Animism meant ascribing a soul to nature and animals. So according to animism there was no difference between a human being and an animal, or even a plant. But when religion came to predominate this superstition disappeared, and European societies realised that human beings possessed a soul given to them by God, were completely different to animals, and could not therefore be subject to the same laws.

Oh where to start! Let's first of all define fascism:
   

A philosophy or system of government that is marked by stringent social and economic control, a strong, centralized government usually headed by a dictator, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism. from The American Heritage Dictionary      . A social and political ideology with the primary guiding principle that the state or nation is the highest priority, rather than personal or individual freedoms. from Teacher Resource Books      . A political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts the nation above the individual; characterized by a centralized government and headed by a dictatorial leader. from Thinkquest.com      .

When we think of fascists we think of people like Mussolini, Hitler, and Franco - absolute rulers who promoted the ideal of the nation being of paramount importance. Sparta, while considering itself better than the other Greek city-states (a common trait to the city-states, by the way), was not a fascist community. It was a militarist state...

1. Glorification of the ideals of a professional military class.
2. Predominance of the armed forces in the administration or policy of the state.
3. A policy in which military preparedness is of primary importance to a state.

from The American Heritage Dictionary      .

Sparta was actually a monarchy, ruled by two kings, although over time the kings lost almost all power to the elected ephors. The ephors were elected in a democratic fashion - by the entire citizenry. They held power for one year and were not allowed to be reelected. Yes, I can fully see how Yahya might consider this a fascist state...not. Mind you, fascism's idea of the nation being of prime importance was certainly an aspect of the Spartan mindset. The city-state had complete ownership of all its people and absolute authority over their life and death. But Yahya's contention that the "three pagan features, racism, bloodshed, and seeing human beings as a species of animal, are also the basic characteristics of fascism" is erroneous. Firstly Paganism and fascism are two different things and secondly neither Paganism nor Sparta are tied to racism and bloodshed.

Racism is indemic to all societies in one form or another. It is not a Pagan trait, nor a Christian or Islamic one. It is a human one that each civilisation strives to overcome as it developes and advances. Christianity has certainly not ended racism and indeed has been as much a perpetrator of it as other religions.

Fascism does however tend to encourage racism as is indicated by the history of those countries that have had fascist dictators.

Bloodshed is also not specific to a culture or a faith but rather appears to be a developmental stage for human societies as they progress from nomadic to agricultural to industrial. Now, under Yahya's assertation, racial and tribal wars vanished when Pagans were converted to Christian....Obviously this author has never heard about the conflict between Byzantine and Roman Christianity, Catholic and Protestant, or any other conflict rooted in nationality and denomination since Christianity became the big cheese. All such conflicts being rooted in the concept that there is only One True form of Christianity and all others must be wiped out (or at the least shown to really be the same as this dominant one just called by a different name and since it's the same why not use our name instead...) - a very Roman idea. And that's not even considering the various conflicts between Christian warriors of God and non-Christian groups. Many of which were initiated by the Christian groups.

Racial and tribal wars did not end with the advent of Christianity. And let's not even touch the claim that "with the coming of Christianity, there was a single belief, culture, and even language in Europe in general, and the conflict of the pagan world came to an end".

Peace and compassion - the age-old cross of the Christian. But mouthing the concept is not the same as practicing it. And there is nothing peaceful or compassionate in forcing conversion through genocide, torture, or violence. How many of the enemies of the Christians would have considered the actions of the Crusaders, the Inquisitors, even the missionaries to be filled with love and compassion? Or that "bloodshed was a great sin" in the eyes of the Christian god?

And then there is the concept of humans as animals. This is not a Pagan idea. It is a philosophy later proven to be factual. Small distinction, perhaps, but it is important to get the facts right. Many ancient Pagans believed humans were superior to animals just like the early Christians. True, many ancient Pagans viewed humans and animals as closely connected with animals often functioning as messengers of the gods or special guardians. But this was not the same as viewing humans as animals - and considering humans to be animals is not a religious belief. It's not about being Pagan. It's about philosophy and later biology and science.

Beyond that, animism, despite the similarity in name, has nothng to do with animals. Rather it is actually the understanding that all things are sacred and infused with divinity - although not necessarily that they all have souls. Taken to its full conclusion it means that trees and stones are as much a part of the divine as people...as are animals. And that indeed, ultimately we are all subject to the same natural laws of existance.

Not quite the same drivel the author is trying to pass off. Animism is a religious and philosophical belief tied to concepts of sacredness. Humans are indeed animals, but that is not a Pagan-specific belief nor is it a religious one.
   

These three pagan features, racism, bloodshed, and seeing human beings as a species of animal, are also the basic characteristics of fascism. In Europe, they were vanquished by Christianity. In the Middle East, the same victory was achieved by Islam over Arab paganism. Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs (and other Middle Eastern and Central Asian societies) possessed a warlike, bloodthirsty, and racist culture. Even the Spartans' barbaric abandoning of unwanted children to die was implemented by pagan Arabs in the form of burying female children alive.

Racism, bloodshed, and humans as animals are not a Pagan trait. They are a human trait that some Pagans exhibited and some did not. Just as they are not inherently Christian although some Christians exhibit them and some do not. Christianity did not vanquish them, nor did Islam. Indeed both religions are responsible for an inordinant amount of violence and bloodshed, each possibly more than any other group in history. Both together certainly more.
   

Thus they (Muslims) were freed from the old tribal wars and nomadic savagery, and found peace and stability with monotheism.

Unfortunately monotheism does not equal peace. Or stability. It would be nice if it did and we could all happily convert and live a peaceful, compassionate, safe life filled with love and bunny rabbits. But that's a fantasy - just as much as the one were all Pagans are violent bloodthirsty barbarians living only to kill.

As for the Nazis and the linking of them to Paganism...this is a common fallacy. Firstly Hitler and his henchmen promoted Christian concepts and ideology as evidenced through their own writings in Mein Kampf and other works. They viewed Christianity as a good way to control people. But they saw aspects of Northern Trad paths such as the Nordic and Germanic beliefs as being a great way to advance their agendas. They picked out the pieces they liked, twisted and reworked them and wove them into their Christian mythos to create a very effective human control ideology. It wasn't about Paganism but rather about the most effective form of control they could create - one that used piecemeal anything they felt was useful.

Their hatred of the Jews was not a by-product of their 'Pagan' ideology but rather a need for a scapegoat. They treated the homosexuals, gypsies, and a few other groups similarly. There happened to be more Jews and they were able to convince people more easily to discriminate against the Jews - probably due to the hundreds of years of Jewish oppression by various European peoples. It was traditional to dislike Jews.

The remainder of the article deals with "Modern Fascism: The Return of Paganism" (the French Revolution), "The Pagan Ideology of the Nazis", and "The Nazis' Anti-Semitism: Another Expression of pression of Hatred of Religion". It is a thinly veiled attack upon Europe and Christianity under the guise of attacking barbaric Pagan practices. The academic standards maintained by Yahya are as high in this section as they were in the initial portions and the slander against Pagans is as vile. Under the pretense of discussing the French Revolution, Yahya informs us that the Age of Enlightenment that swept Europe was in reality a dark time of Pagan violence and barbarity, beginning with the rebirth of Paganism during the French Revolution, given shape by the development of the Theory of Evolution, and exposed in its full glory during the reign of the Nazis.

People like Haran Yahya concern me not because of the historical tripe they spew but rather because of the ideology they espouse. The continued concept that Paganism is a barbaric, bloodthirsty, volent religion guilty of all the wrongs in the world and the natural enemy of the peaceful civilising revealed religions of the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic faiths. I would love to ignore people like him but the more we ignore them the more they grow and flourish.

There is a point at which we have to stop, stand up, and challenge their rubbish. Defend ourselves. Defend our faith and our history - which is their history too, even if they wish to deny it.
   

Further Research

Origins of Fascism

Fascism - the Truth!

Fascism's main characteristics; differences and similarities with communism

Legitimization under Constantine

Emperor Constantine Supports Christianity

The Conversion of the Pagans

The Crusaders

The Church and The Crusaders

Inquisition Timeline

Christian History Timeline of the Inquisition

The Inquisition