Comments on: The Soviet Story [VIDEO]

By: Eliot Ryan

Eliot Ryan — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:24:20 +0000

In reply to Nancy Forderhase. Nancy: I too pray that they not turn away in disgust or ... indifference. Nowadays people often feel apathy, sadness, despair, lethargy, depression and they spend vast sums on psychoanalysts and take anti-depressants. It is believed that such feelings are caused by the many ‘pressures’ in life and they are explained as "insecurities". These are all simptoms of spiritual anemia and alienation from God which led them into confusion and unhealthy lifestyles. Overwhelmed with weakness a human being becomes inhuman: indifferent to the suffering of others.

By: Nancy Forderhase

Nancy Forderhase — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:49:55 +0000

Eliot: Yes, it is overwhelming, and admittedly I, like most human beings, at least the ones I know, are overwhelmed with weakness. I’m not sure exactly what you are referring to in this comment. I simply wanted to point out that this film and others like it need to be brought to the attention of others so they will know more about the crimes of the 20th century, and although the sight of dead bodies is a difficult thing to witness in this film, I pray that they not turn away in disgust, but will understand more fully the consequences of dictatorships like that of the Soviet Union. The leadership abandoned the Church and persecuted and murdered priests, nuns and other believers. Never forget. . . . .

By: Eliot Ryan

Eliot Ryan — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 04:46:39 +0000

In reply to Nancy Forderhase. Nancy: Indeed, it is difficult to be an enduring witness to human suffering and to take it upon your own shoulders when you yourself are overwhelmed with weakness. Mankind has fallen among thieves and needs to be brought to the Church of Christ for healing.

By: Nancy Forderhase

Nancy Forderhase — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:34:36 +0000

I can’t get this documentary out of my mind. I think one reason it’s so disturbing is that all the scenes of dead, starved, naked bodies make the horror of the Soviet Union’s (and Germany’s) crimes real. It’s one thing to cite statistics that 20 million people in the Soviet Union died, but another when one sees the reality of bodies (albeit hundreds, not millions). A terrible sight, but it did happen, and we should never forget. Lord have mercy!!!

By: Nancy Forderhase

Nancy Forderhase — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:05:29 +0000

The horror of the atrocities in the Soviet Union is well known by now, but it seems to me that the West continues to deny it. The The Black Book of Communism had some impact on France, but it is still not equated with the Holocaust in many cases. I have heard historians I have worked with in the past minimize such events as the forced starvation of people in Ukraine. Robert Conquest was a pioneer in exposing much of this, but he was ignored to a great extent until recent years. The horrible suffering and the total disregard for human life is appalling. And today you find people, not just in the Soviet Union, but in western nations who continue to glorify Communist regimes (China, Cuba, Cambodia, North Vietnam, etc) while condemning the United States. Excuse my rant, but it's a real mystery to me. The dead bodies are appalling, but they should be seen in all their horror. The silent dead, mute, unrepresented. God forgive us all.

By: Fr. Johannes Jacobse

Fr. Johannes Jacobse — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:20:16 +0000

Excellent suggestion, Ryan. Thank you.

By: Ryan Shelton

Ryan Shelton — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:01:27 +0000

Father, might I recommend a warning for the graphic and disturbing images contained in this film.

I appreciate the truth is uncovers, but would have liked a warning.