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Poland :
I had many mixed emotions when visiting the beautiful cites of Krakow & Warsaw. Poland has been overrun for much of it's lifetime, rarely has it had been free in it's own determination. Warsaw was devastated in World War II. 85% of it was destroyed by bombing, only to be behind the Iron Curtain for the next 44 years. Socialism was almost worse than the bombs as it destroyed all self will, self worth, and ambition. It is truly an act of God that the churches are still standing through the Russian rule. Many of these cathedrals stood dormant for 44 years, respectfully rotting. Poland as many of these past Russian block countries have an alarmingly high Atheist rate, or about 8% of them have a God or spirituality in there lives today. They could not help it, it was another sad part about Socialism & control. Two generations do not even know not what God is ? I was very blessed to have this unbelievable
tour with this 72 year old monk called Simon. With the KGB ( secret Police ) always watching your own children were encouraged to tell on you. No one was safe. It affected everyone and every idea, the arts, what you painted, music you wrote, what you thought in the middle of the night. There were no religions, vacations, unions, insurances, voting. It is very hard for any american to imagine the terror that existed daily as a normal way of life. Secretly you hated the government while you public praised them. With all of these amazing Cathedrals & Synagogues from the past, there is little involvement today. Equally, in the 19 years since, it has taken them a lifetime for these generations to develop, grow, to adjust to Capitalism. A free way of life where you are on your own, free to fall upon your own free will.
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