From Democide to Ecclesiocide: The Church’s Silent Complicity in Modern Mass Murder

Written By Norman Patterson

When I watch movies and documentaries about Soviet Russia, Nazi Germany, and Communist China, I am struck by how entire nations can be so deceived, and how the Church can remain so silent—choosing cowardice over the courage to protect the innocent.

R.J. Rummel and the Concept of Democide

Rudolph Joseph Rummel (1932–2014) was an American political scientist who dedicated his career to studying collective violence and war. He introduced the term democide to describe "the intentional killing of an unarmed or disarmed person by government agents acting in their authoritative capacity and pursuant to government policy or high command." This includes genocide, politicide, mass murder, and the indiscriminate killing of civilians.

Rummel’s seminal work, Death by Government, reveals that in the 20th century alone, governments were responsible for nearly 170 million deaths—surpassing the number of combat-related fatalities in all wars combined during that period. The bloodiest regimes were those that saw human life as expendable, where government, rather than protecting life, became its greatest destroyer.

The Hidden Holocaust: Abortion as Modern Democide

The 20th century was marred by tyrants who perpetrated mass murder. Yet, a hidden holocaust occurred simultaneously: the systematic extermination of millions of unborn babies through abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and birth control methods that destroy fertilized eggs.

One might hope that humanity would learn from these atrocities, but the 21st century continues to witness government-sanctioned democide. Today, governments protect a woman’s "right" to terminate her pregnancy, rendering the womb one of the most perilous places on earth for the unborn.

In Connecticut, the government funds approximately 75% of all abortions. According to the Connecticut Catholic Conference's 2023 report, state taxpayers financed 12,469 abortions through the HUSKY program in 2021 and 2022, costing $9.1 million. The government is not just permitting this slaughter—it is subsidizing it, compelling citizens to finance the killing of innocent children.

The Church’s Deafening Silence

How has this massacre unfolded under the Church’s watch? The answer lies in the indifference, apathy, and complacency of many 501(c)(3) state-corporation churches. These institutions often choose comfort over confronting the evil of abortion, remaining silent as millions of our brothers and sisters, made in the image of God, are murdered.

Recently, a fellow Christian challenged me, demanding proof that the Church in Connecticut fails to act on behalf of the unborn. My response was both biblical and factual: the ongoing bloodshed in Connecticut and across the United States is evidence enough. If all who profess to be Christians stood united against abortion, it would cease.

Consider the number of Christians, denominations, and pastors in this nation. If they all stood with unwavering conviction against abortion, it would end. Instead, they remain silent.

From Democide to Ecclesiocide: Death by Church Apathy

Democide is death by government. But what do we call the slaughter that happens with the Church's passive consent? Ecclesiocide—the destruction of the innocent through the inaction and indifference of God’s people.

We wonder how such horrors occurred in the 20th century, but we need only observe the present-day Church’s silence. The cries of butchered, frozen, poisoned, and vacuumed babies go unheard. And what do we hear from the pulpits? Nothing.

I implore the Church: How long will you stand by while innocent blood runs through our streets and our clinics? How long will you protect your tax-exempt status and your social standing while millions perish?

The proof of your inaction is written in blood. Repent. Rise. Speak. Act. The time for silence is over.

Sources:

Norman Patterson
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