Speaking at a meeting for the benefit of victims of religious persecution before an audience of 600 which packed Burlington’s small city hall auditorium, Ludwig Lewisohn reiterated his indictment of modern civilization, which he says is returning to the paganism of past ages.
All the gains made by mankind since the French Revolution have been destroyed in the last few years in a great series of tragedies, Lewisohn said.
The golden image of paganism has arisen in the totalitarian state, now represented by Italy, Germany and Russia, which destroy, or attempt to destroy, body and soul of those who refuse to pour libations to the spirit of totalitarianism, he asserted.
They are trying to reduce mankind to the state of bees and ants, he added.
Drawing a parallel among Nazism, Communism and the old city state of Sparta, the author said:
“The Nazis had to repudiate the fundamental scripture and ethical feeling of the western world in the development of the tendency to arrogance which led totalitarian leaders to seek scapegoats for the national wrath.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
