TURNING TO FABLES

It is something of a mystery to me why so many people, including Southerners, believe the lies they've been told about the War for/against Southern Independence, when the truth is so readily available. Perhaps the answer is found in the words of Russian revolutionary leader, and first premier of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin. He said, "If a lie is told often enough, it will become truth."
We know the Union had to perpetrate demonic lies in order to explain it's illegal invasion of the sovereign states of the Confederacy. They have demonized our honorable Confederate forefathers, and have made our noble Southern heritage a legacy of shame. And how did they do it? With lies. Lies that have been taught constantly and continually for almost a hundred and fifty years. And many people have become believers.

In his last letter from a Roman prison, the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, the leader of the Ephesian Church. He warned that, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:13) Then he tells us, "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables." (2 Tim. 4:4) This Scriptural Truth is a reality today. Not only in the Church and the world at large, but in this country. We are a people "Turning to Fables."

We must overcome the lies with truth. Just as Jesus commissioned the church to spread the truth to the world, General S.D. Lee commissioned the Sons of Confederate Veterans with the Charge. It is our duty to spread the truth about our forefathers and our heritage.

We can boldly tell our friends, neighbors, and relatives: Our Confederate ancestors were not fighting for slavery. They were fighting to defend their country against an invasion. Yes, they failed, and our country was lost at the point of a sword. But, we can and should be proud of them for their service, and honor their sacrifice.

We say that this country is, "The land of the free, and home of the brave."

But, when the leaders of a state that asked our forefathers to leave their homes and go to war to suffer and die in it's defence, refuse to honor their memory for fear of being politically incorrect, that is not "brave." And, when we accept lies as truth, either out of ignorance or indifference, that is not being "free." Just ask Vladimir Lenin.

Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." My prayer today is for truth. May the Lord grant us the knowledge of truth, and the conviction to speak the truth to others. For Jesus' sake we ask.....Amen.

Brother Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans
(http://www.scv.org/)