Episode 21: Doubts, Deceptions and Dachau

This is the Beyond the Shadow of Doubt podcast.  I’m Meagan Skidmore and I work with LGBTQ+ families of a conservative background who feel their world turned upside down.  Join me each week on my journey to bring the traditionally taboo topic of asking questions and having doubts into mainstream discussion.  My goal is to normalize that we all naturally have them as part of the human experience.  Today I share my thoughts on how allowing fear to get in our way of asking questions, questioning status quo and acknowledging doubts can affect societies as a whole.  Thanks for being here.

I recently took an informal survey on IG asking if folks shared their questions/doubts openly in their faith congregations.  The v scientific responses:

Yes 14%

depends on the group 36%

Thought abt it 7%

Not a chance (not safe) 43%

So 86% of this v scientific survey (note the sarcasm) don’t share.  They don’t openly disclose what their doubts are OR that they have them in the first place.

This begs the Q: why aren’t our congregations and communities safe?  And I’m kind of on a mission to change that.

On a larger scale, what about asking questions in a more public yet non religious sphere like regarding recent topics in the news (anti trans, lgbtq bills, and drag bills).

Why does the ability seem to elude us to discuss topics such as these or as I mentioned previous, religious ones  in a way that feels safe or manner with reduced emotion?

I propose because the majority of the time the driving emotion IS fear.  Fear is appropriate when used for what it was intended—to protect, either yourself or another.  But what if the protection is unneccesary. Or unmerited?  IOW, what is perceived as a threat is actually none at all.  It’s hard to come to a neutral space to think rationally about a given topic when one is driven by fear.

Over this most recent holiday break, I had the opportunity to visit Dachau concentration camp located 10 miles north of Munich. 

It was described as “the first concentration camp for political prisoners.”

Initially the internees were primarily German Communists, Social Democrats, trade unionists, and other political opponents of the Nazi regime. Over time, other groups were also interned at Dachau, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Roma (Gypsies), gay men, as well as “asocials” and repeat criminal offenders. During the early years relatively few Jews were interned in Dachau and then usually because they belonged to one of the above groups or had completed prison sentences after being convicted for violating the Nuremberg Laws of 1935.  The Nuremberg Laws were legal framework for systemic persecution of Jews. 

The number of Jewish prisoners at Dachau rose with the increased persecution of Jews.

As I walked through the memorial, I learned something I didn’t know previously.

These “prisoners” were sent out into the local towns to work at the factories.

During the war, forced labor using concentration camp prisoners became increasingly important to German armaments production.

Dachau alone had some 140 subcamps, mainly in southern Bavaria where prisoners worked almost exclusively in armaments works. Thousands of prisoners were worked to death.

Some of the prisoners were sent to work in the factories located right there in Dachau—meaning they left the concentration camp during the daytime and were brought back at night.  They looked like prisoners.  They dressed like prisoners,  The other workers at the factories the non prisoners knew they were from the concentration camp.  Some said they knew things were “off” or “not right” but they didn’t do anything.  They didn’t speak up. 

Why?  Fear.

A dear coach friend posted recently “Fear is a boundary” I agree with this.  I believe fear can be healthy or unhealthy.  It can keep us safe I.e. hot stove or not driving too fast and it can also hold us back or keep us boxed in unsafely for instance [the fear of retaliation from those in authority] fear of  not blending in/belonging, fear of other’s opinions or getting kicked out of the group.  Perhaps some of these fears took over citizens of 1930/40s Germany. 

And those fears inhibited them from tapping into their inner wisdom and claiming their sovereignty to guide them to getting to the core of the matter which was asking questions like

‘why were these individuals deserving of this treatment/imprisonment’ or ‘were they deserving…?’

Or ’were these marginalized groups [JWs, LGBTQ+/gay men, gypsies, asocials, misfits, etc] really and truly a threat?’

‘What is really going on in this situations?’ 

History records tell us that some did question like those who hid the Frank family in Amsterdam or the 4 British nurses that voluntarily parachuted into Germany and served at Dachau and incidentally died there too.   So some of them did…..but many did not and even joined in the gross mistreatment. 

I think we’d all like to think that we would be among the former and not the latter.

I do not understand those who question whether the holocaust really happened.  I can’t quite put into words what I felt for those several hours my family and I walked through the camp.  It was sobering.  It was heavy.  It was dreadful.  And I’m grateful there were those who risked much by keeping records – written, pectoral and voice so that I was able to learn from and connect with their sorrow and pain from the not so distant past. 

Isn’t that why we keep our history so that we do not forget atrocities such as these and don’t repeat them? 

Currently there is a LOT of anti LGBTQ+, anti trans and anti drag legislation all across the US.  This is esp true of the southern states like TX, TN, FL, and others.  This is significant enough that I am publishing this episode and bumping the one I had scheduled. 

In my DMs mamas have expressed that they are scared.  They are losing faith in our nation.  One even commented it feels like 1930s Germany.  If you are not fearful for the your existence or that of a loved one, I kindly point out that you have privilege.  Please, please I implore you to use it.  Educate yourself.  Talk to the families who are affected by these bills.  Listen with your ears and heart.  At the very least make sure you have done your research before making commentary or before passing judgment.

This is 21st century No one needs to live in fear.  We have all manner of communication  tools and research abilities at our finger tips.  Get online and research from multiple reputable sources.  Talk to your families and loved ones. Talk to your friends and neighbors.  Be the one to initiate the tough convos and contribute to creating safer spaces. 

Unhealthy FEAR keeps us locked up.  It muddles our thoughts and our questions.  I also believe it contributes to self-doubt which manifests as inaction. 

Ultimately the result is we are not advocating for ourselves, our loved ones, our communities.  Advocate – to call to one’s aid, to plead in favor of; literally it’s from Latin advocare to “add” a “voice”.  To advocate is to add a voice of support to a cause or person.

What higher calling could there be.  Christ himself uses the title advocate.  May we seek the Divine within through adding a voice of support and call to another’s aid rather than  one (adding a voice) motivated by fear and misinformation.

I am one voice however if these words touch even one soul I count that as success.  If you are moved now it is up to you to share it with others.  THIS. IS. HOW.CHANGE. OCCURS.  It’s not accomplished by someone else, it happens by you in the daily moments, speaking your heart and sharing what is true for you in your life experience. I whole heartedly  believe this is how we will be able to create more open and safer spaces.

I urge to share this episode with others.  I appreciate the time you have take to be here and listen.  God bless.  I will include links to sources referenced. 

Until next time.