Governments around the world impose harsh conditions on their citizens in a supposed response to the claimed threat of an invisible enemy.
There are many who are angered by their edicts and see them as unjust and fascistic, but there are also those who are strongly supportive, calling even for ever stricter rules with widespread enforcement and harsh penalties for non-compliance.
In this matter, I am reminded of the stories I used to hear from my Italian in-laws and others from their generation, when they related the events that took place in northern Italy in May of 1945 when the German forces in Italy finally surrendered and the war was over. Of course it can be well argued that the situation was far more serious, at that time, than the relatively minor matters of the present, but once certain forces have been set in motion, they tend to escalate, so caution is most definitely required.
During the German occupation of the city of Modena and also beforehand, when Mussolini's Fascist government was in charge, there were stark differences in outlook between those who agreed with the Fascist principles and supported the government and those who were enamoured by principles of freedom - I would say as viewed on the movie screens in the main, but also perhaps in a few cases as written in Scripture - and embraced a culture of rebellion and individualism.
The Catholic church was fully complicit with the government and in league with the occupying army, although there were many notable priests in opposition to both the government and the Vatican, often at great personal risk and indeed cost.
This was a time when "rebellious" families had to guard against prying neighbours.
For example, on a minor note, Gianni, my father-in-law, loved American jazz bands and liked to meet up with his friends to smoke US made cigarettes and dance the latest hops, but such conduct was prohibited or at least strongly discouraged by the Fascist regime and could lead to raids, fights, arrests and fines.
On a far more serious note, some of the most daring opponents (including Gianni) crept away from their homes by night and joined the Resistance forces operating out of hidden bases in the nearby mountains. In this case the "Collaborazionisti", meaning the citizens who continued to seek favour from the government and support the authorities at every turn, could report suspicious behaviour and the matter could lead to very brutal reprisals, generally involving execution by firing squad or hanging.
It is perhaps hardly surprising therefore that when the war was finally over and a state of lawlessness prevailed for some time until the ragged Resistenza fighters could march into the city and assume some semblance of control, certain individuals in the city and outlying villages were removed by summary execution at the hands of those they had been so willing to oppress when under the protection of the State.
It was an evil time indeed for a short while, with old scores settled in blood and not always with reasonable justification.
That's why we find the following words in the book of Romans:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
But certainly, whosoever would entreat for the oppression of his brothers and sisters and rely on the protection of the law in so doing, should look well to the solidity of the law on which he is standing and keep a watch for the inevitable gathering storm if that law is found to be wanting.
There are many who are angered by their edicts and see them as unjust and fascistic, but there are also those who are strongly supportive, calling even for ever stricter rules with widespread enforcement and harsh penalties for non-compliance.
In this matter, I am reminded of the stories I used to hear from my Italian in-laws and others from their generation, when they related the events that took place in northern Italy in May of 1945 when the German forces in Italy finally surrendered and the war was over. Of course it can be well argued that the situation was far more serious, at that time, than the relatively minor matters of the present, but once certain forces have been set in motion, they tend to escalate, so caution is most definitely required.
During the German occupation of the city of Modena and also beforehand, when Mussolini's Fascist government was in charge, there were stark differences in outlook between those who agreed with the Fascist principles and supported the government and those who were enamoured by principles of freedom - I would say as viewed on the movie screens in the main, but also perhaps in a few cases as written in Scripture - and embraced a culture of rebellion and individualism.
The Catholic church was fully complicit with the government and in league with the occupying army, although there were many notable priests in opposition to both the government and the Vatican, often at great personal risk and indeed cost.
This was a time when "rebellious" families had to guard against prying neighbours.
For example, on a minor note, Gianni, my father-in-law, loved American jazz bands and liked to meet up with his friends to smoke US made cigarettes and dance the latest hops, but such conduct was prohibited or at least strongly discouraged by the Fascist regime and could lead to raids, fights, arrests and fines.
On a far more serious note, some of the most daring opponents (including Gianni) crept away from their homes by night and joined the Resistance forces operating out of hidden bases in the nearby mountains. In this case the "Collaborazionisti", meaning the citizens who continued to seek favour from the government and support the authorities at every turn, could report suspicious behaviour and the matter could lead to very brutal reprisals, generally involving execution by firing squad or hanging.
It is perhaps hardly surprising therefore that when the war was finally over and a state of lawlessness prevailed for some time until the ragged Resistenza fighters could march into the city and assume some semblance of control, certain individuals in the city and outlying villages were removed by summary execution at the hands of those they had been so willing to oppress when under the protection of the State.
It was an evil time indeed for a short while, with old scores settled in blood and not always with reasonable justification.
That's why we find the following words in the book of Romans:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
But certainly, whosoever would entreat for the oppression of his brothers and sisters and rely on the protection of the law in so doing, should look well to the solidity of the law on which he is standing and keep a watch for the inevitable gathering storm if that law is found to be wanting.
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