The verdict from the Mueller investigation is in, and it looks like President Trump has been vindicated from charges that he colluded with the Russians during the 2016 election. Yet the inquisition lives on as Trump’s political opponents plan to keep digging in hopes of finding something to bring down his presidency, even as we have learned that Trump was targeted to be falsely accused, even before the election, by a cabal of government officials. But he is only the most visible victim of the inquisition spirit that has been loosed on America.
Over the past decade, it has become clear that FBI, the Justice Department, the IRS and other government agencies have been persecuting people for their political and religious views. Our courts have trampled on the religious definition of marriage and the so-called “progressives” want to use the power of government to force us to participate in gay marriage. This targeting of “incorrect” viewpoints is not progressive at all, as it contradicts our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and in fact takes us back to the spirit of the infamous Spanish Inquisition.
The Inquisition was the prototype of totalitarian systems designed to eliminate all belief contrary to the politically correct beliefs of the authorities. In the case of the Inquisition, the politically correct belief was a form of Roman Catholicism. Later emulators of the inquisition spirit tried to force compliance with the French Revolution, Nazism and Communism. Today the spirit of inquisition is rising in places like Venezuela, Turkey and Russia, where democracies are being converted into authoritarian governments. And the same trend is beginning to appear in the U.S., where the politically correct “progressive” beliefs in big government, sexual “freedom” and secularism are targeting those who believe in limited government and who hold Christian views.
The methods of the inquisition spirit have varied little down through history. First, the authorities gain control of the law enforcement mechanisms of society either directly, as in the case of the anti-Trump cabal, or indirectly, as in the Spanish Inquisition. Secondly, the power of government is used to find those who may have opposing views. Those who come to the attention of the government, whether “guilty” or not, are then made into an example to terrorize the population into compliance. As Stalin’s KGB Chief said, “Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime.” Trump and others like Judge Kavanaugh are just the tip of the iceberg.
Yes, even in the U.S., with its legacy of freedom, the inquisition spirit is growing strong. The current American manifestation began on college campuses, where “progressives” have ended academic freedom and used the inquisition spirit to eliminate all politically incorrect speech, as is evidenced by riots when conservatives are invited to be speakers. The media’s longstanding bias against conservatives is spreading to businesses, as seen in the case of a man fired by Google for expressing his beliefs. Now people with religious convictions against abortion have been targeted by Obamacare, those who believe in traditional marriage have been penalized for refusing to participate in gay marriage ceremonies, and schools were told they cannot protect the privacy of their female students from transgender boys. Persecution has come to America.
As intercessors, we must realize that we do not struggle against the individuals, but against the inquisition spirit itself. This spirit comes directly from Satan, who is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). We must pray that the Lord will bless our enemies with the knowledge of the Lord and a desire for freedom. We pray that the spirit of inquisition will be turned back in our government and business, and we pray for a revival of Christianity and freedom on the college campuses where the inquisition spirit began.
Above all, we pray that America will remain a free country where we can worship God without government persecution. {eoa}
Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries, spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God; the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage; and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.
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