“When the Soviets occupied Poland after World War II, they systematically destroyed churches, removed crosses in public and private locations, and eliminated any expression of worship and faith…”
A common theme arose throughout Gov. Mike Huckabee’s Journey with Christian leaders in Poland. They heard firsthand how Poland’s freedom from communist occupation was primarily possible because of Pope John Paul II. But equally important, was the Polish people’s struggle to maintain their national identity, which was deeply rooted in their Christian faith.
When the Soviets occupied Poland after World War II, they systematically destroyed churches, removed crosses in public and private locations, and eliminated any expression of worship and faith, upon imprisonment. Every aspect of their lives had been stripped away to the point that they did not know who they were and felt complete despair.
Much of communism required destroying and taking away land. One such area, a few miles from Krakow, had long been significantly fertile agricultural ground. The Soviets destroyed it to build their “model communist city,” Nowa Huta. Meaning “New Steelworks,” after the newly created steel industry, Nowa Huta was a centrally planned “ideal urban” housing community specifically designed to exclude all things related to God.
Within seven years, however, the oppression of the Polish people caused them to long for God even more. They wanted God and a place to meet him, in church.
Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/hedgerow/2014/11/huckabee-and-american-ministers-invigorated-by-the-power-of-the-cross-in-poland-seek-to-harness-that-power-in-america/#ixzz3JYvOwXlZ Read more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/hedgerow/2014/11/huckabee-and-american-ministers-invigorated-by-the-power-of-the-cross-in-poland-seek-to-harness-that-power-in-america/
