My father and his wife were over for dinner Saturday evening. As the conversation drifted to his wife's childhood, growing up in
Izhevsk, Russia, my father made a point I found very interesting. His point, in essence, was this: Communism was very good at protecting people from things which could hurt them, morally.
We could go on for hours about the 'evils' of communism; how Godless and cold and defeating the system of government can be for one's soul. Yet, it's BECAUSE of the very hard times faced by it's citizens, that so MANY I've met had had such strength in character. It seems, after immigrating to the US, the first generation retains the lessons-learned under communism/oppression. But the further the family gets from the date of immigration, the 'worse' the family does in the areas of morality.
I've met hundreds - perhaps thousands - of former USSR residents. I'd speculate my impressions of them, regardless of their claiming knowledge of Jesus, left me feeling they were more Christ-like in their DEEDS than many of today's "church superstars".
As my Step-mother told stories of sneaking listens to 'rock n roll' as she tried to pick up a weak signal from Radio Free Europe? (maybe?) she'd appreciate the break from the Classical music which was the standard. She longed for freedoms of the West, yet somehow, without growing up particularly religious, she developed standards and morality very close to Christian ideals.
I remember when she first got to the USA she commented to me once about how sick she felt over the Over-sexualization in our media, and in our lives. She commented negatively about the lack of personal respect we show by encouraging such exploitations of our biology. She was quick to respond to the Spirit when she arrived in the states - and now I somebody I consider to have a heart to serve Christ.
What is it about living in such an environment which points people (whether they know it or not) towards Godly mindsets? Could God have been building up in the USSR a Body of believers to influence the rest of the world?
It's funny, and a bit sad, however, at the OTHER side of the population of immigrants, who do in clear-conscious what most would consider unethical. For instance: My father runs a tax business. He did taxes for a Pastor of a local primarily-immigrant church in the area. A few weeks later, trying to get a home loan, the Pastor called and asked my Dad to give a statement to the lender saying the Pastor ran a landscaping service, and give a 'fictional' income generated from the service. My Dad said "I'm NOT going to lie for you, because I have NO knowledge of this other business." A Pastor. To the pastor, he was simply finding a way around the system by calling in a favor. I wonder if the pastor had any convictions over the request?
Anywho - I guess this thread is designed to stimulate discussion amongst believers primarily, on the subject of "Apparent Godlessness could lead to Godliness"...or something. Or whatever. And Junk.
Thoughts?