Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Experiment (02/16/12)
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TITLE: Kiss Of Hope | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Bonney
02/22/12 -
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False hope was conceived.
A few of his cabinet thought the newest experiment too radical, but were eventually persuaded to test Lodaf Thiler’s explosive theory. He and his cohorts lured the most vulnerable into a web of broken pledges and fickle schemes that ultimately took from the poor to give to the rich, to exploit the weak and elevate the strong. A reward system was implemented that promoted countrymen to betray their peers for noncompliance to new laws and rigid rules enforced by the real threat of penalty of exile, imprisonment, or worse. All of these changes were executed deviously and slowly so that the populace did not recognize the hidden agendas until it was too late, if at all. The truth-seekers were considered naysayers and written off as fanatical rebels. These factions were effectively rooted out and squelched by the establishment, planted spies reporting any suspicious behaviors, while those avoiding these fates escaped into a hastily constructed underground system.
False hope was born.
By trial and error, additional indoctrination experiments were introduced, at least one of which, failed. “Operation Socialization” poised the middle class with a commune-type existence, preying upon those under poor working conditions and low-paying menial jobs. This eventually backfired when the enterprising residents devised intricate levels of cooperation and living standards unacceptable to the reigning regime’s self-serving goals because the people grew too independent and self-sufficient. This program’s failure produced unforeseen long-reaching consequences, causing the government to shut it down immediately and to employ more stringent endeavors in the future, and only those giving the regime total control.
In contrast, another trial relocation camp for the infirm and elderly was a great success, its model being repeated in different levels of society thereafter. The first was labeled “elder-care,” a front for a starvation shelter that essentially gave treatments that consisted of systematically neglecting and starving its residents. Considered a victorious achievement, this encouraged the establishment to continue with more daring experimental living centers.
False hope grew.
Determined to overthrow the despot ruling their country, a particular underground cell group cautiously conducted their own experiments, planting a few operatives to rise within the ranks of Thiler’s hierarchy. They held prayer meetings and vigils, seeking God’s intervention and wisdom. Finally, through the providence of God, a few of them escaped to reveal to the rest of the world the atrocities occurring in their country.
Meanwhile, Lodaf Thiler’s reigning forces, by trial and error, had learned that their most valuable tactic of subjugation was to give the masses false hope via aggressive propaganda—through the government-controlled media—that promised to restore their country’s former glory. Mind games were taken to a new level, yielding all the compliance necessary to control the people. Only a few were able to see through the layers of deception, like peeling a shiny red apple only to find a worm at its core, revealing the truth. The stench of human corpses was as nothing compared to the decaying minds of the living victims, who, starving and deprived, were fooled into submissive acceptance of their fate.
False hope matured.
Unbeknownst to Thiler, a war of outrage was rumbling through the surrounding countries, as strong a distant erupting volcano, as the truth was revealed. The exploitation of his country’s constitution and subsequent inhumane treatment of the masses became known far and wide.
False hope became revealed.
Other nations’ righteous anger replaced former apathy into action. Like a foaming tidal wave, factions of God-fearing groups arose to force their governments into overt activities that ultimately overthrew Thiler and his ideologies.
New hope was born.
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A lot of messages and emotions packed into this.
Thank you. God Bless~
What a phantastic article! Reminds me of some great writing by C.S. Lewis (C.S. Lewis' statement: teaching children to be critical makes them easy prey for propaganda) - and of course of dictators like Hitler. I also like the fact that you incorporated the spiritual dimension in such a great way. God in his grace always puts an end to false hope the one or the other way. There's always room for "true hope" to permeate...