“INVASION OF THE "BODY SNATCHERS." I have never forgotten an old science fiction movie that I first watched as a kid in the mid 1950’s. The film’s title was the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” The story’s plot involved invading aliens who had quickly taken over a small town by replacing the townspeople with non-human duplicates. These “body snatchers” were able to make themselves physically identical to the person they had targeted. But even though the aliens were completely human-like in physical appearance, they had no human feelings-- no individuality--- no self-will---no morality, and-- no conscience—kind of like Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, et al. The "body snatchers'" agenda was quite simple. It was a plan to eradicate human intellect, emotions, and individuality and substitute, instead, the single-minded robotic mind of the “body snatchers’” and thus, ultimately control the earth with an alien “new world order.”
It seems that movie critics are still divided by whether the flick was actually a warning about McCarthyism, or conversely, about the infiltration of communists into our government. Lately, many reviewers now suggest that the thrice made film is an allegory for the loss of personal autonomy and identity, dehumanization, or the perils of “groupthink.” When considering the savageness of the recent Presidential election, the post-election bitterness, and the determination by many not to accept the election results, I am being persuaded that the recent critics are maybe on to something. The change in my thinking began a few months ago, when I watched the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” again on one of the classic movie stations. The film in several ways reminded me of the tactics of the radical left and the current agenda of these “progressives.” These “body snatchers” still look like regular people. They talk like normal folks. But even though the outward features seem to be normal, they are not what they appear to be. It appears more and more as if modern “body snatchers” have taken over the minds, the platform, and the policies of many liberals and progressives, and therein, much of the Democratic Party. The monotonous message of the “body snatchers’’” at every interview and press conference is the recitation of canned and stale talking points. They seem incapable of independent thought, or voting anything but the “party line.” They constantly attempt to spin the news, and either evade, or deny or reinterpret facts that expose some failed, wasteful, or dangerous policy.
The "body snatchers’" program and agenda seem to revolve around a two-fold mission—one being the upending and changing of the traditional American identity and many long-held values. However, the foremost goal is apparently to remake America into a gigantic, monolithic, classless, socialist plantation that is compatible with the “new age” mentality of much of the rest of the world. Albeit, this “new America,” of necessity, requires fundamental change and which is absent most of its former unique freedoms and minus constitutional protections, and traditional morality and ethics. Regardless of how devious the tactics that these “body snatchers” utilize in their efforts, all are deemed appropriate since surely “the end will justify the means.” These include, but are not limited to such things as making reckless promises to special interest groups, shameless political pandering, suppression of constitutional liberty, forced redistribution of wealth, character assassination of opponents, outright lying, or bizarre distortions. All the while, this is done with a toothy and empty smile and the specious assurance that these “body snatchers” are simply “protecting the American way” and opposing xenophobia, racism and bigotry.
More alarming is that neither are these “body snatchers” confined to the political arena. These “invaders” have taken captive the mind and soul of much of our country. They have invaded every facet of life including the news media, our economics, our educational system, the entertainment industry and religion. Our institutions and organizations which helped enable all Americans to enjoy an unrivaled way of life and which once made America the envy of the entire world have been corrupted by an “alien” philosophy and activity. Our great and beloved nation since its inception, has been the citadel of freedom loving, determined, resourceful, and God-fearing men and women. But it seems that as the late Judge Robert Bork warned, America is rapidly descending into a moral wasteland and is “slouching toward Gomorrah.”
One early visitor to America when writing back to his native France spoke much of the American’s love of freedom and self-reliance, their gracious and kind spirit, and their disdain of all tyranny. He then went on to describe America symbolically as a “land of giants.” What an unmitigated shame that so many of our “giants” have now shrunk into a mindless, compliant, and government-dependent hoard of pygmies.
Even in our churches and synagogues these “body snatchers” proliferate. They still look like us. But the soul is gone. The new “body snatchers” glory in their “new teachings” and remind their adoring public that they alone possess the “new” truth and that the “old gospel” and traditional values are no longer relevant and must be discarded. These “body snatchers” fill many of our pulpits with religious sounding talk but, actually it is nothing more than “another gospel” comprised of untested philosophy, biblical criticism, ecclesiastical arrogance, and a ten-minute psychological pep talk.
Gone is the plain and pointed biblical exposition of the “pre-body snatcher” times. These religious “body and soul snatchers” still display the titles, credentials, and phylacteries as before. But absent is God’s call and the mantle of “God’s prophet” and many stand before congregations as nothing more than empty suits. The “bible preacher” is deposed and in his place is the toothy smile of the hireling, the psychologist and the “new ager.” This new theology more and more insists that “truth is evolving and is culturally determined and that the main focus of religion is in “making the congregants feel good.”
Alas, we watch as our nation writhes in turmoil, division, and confusion. We are perplexed and we can only mourn as we see our children exploited and ruined by drugs, alcohol, promiscuity and spiritual neglect and hopelessness. In too many churches and other houses of worship, every Sabbath or every Sunday, there comes the soothing voice of the “soul –snatcher” assuring the folks that things are just fine in our homes, churches, community and Nation and we are “not to worry.” The doxology is sung and as we depart, we pat ourselves on the back. And the “soul-snatchers” smile their toothy and empty smile and say, “AMEN! BE HAPPY!”
Pastor William Nicholson