American Detention Camps?
Reason to Fear?
Q. I heard that the U.S. government has built or is building detention camps right here in America and it terrifies me. Is this true? Why would such detention centers be built? For what reasons or purposes? How should we react to this?
Answer:
Bill H.R. 645
We had to do some searching to find the answer to your question. But, yes, it appears that bill H.R. 645 was introduced to the House of Representatives by Representative Alcee L. Hastings, D-Fla in 2009. We haven’t heard about it much since then.
At any rate, this bill would permit the secretary of homeland security to create at least six national emergency centers for holding civilians on military installations.
Former Presidential Power Grab
This bill would also expand the president’s emergency powers formerly signed by President Bush on May 9, 2007, giving the president the authority to take over all federal, state, local, territorial and tribal governments without consulting Congress.
For those of you who remember, President Clinton signed similar rulings before Y2K. Many conservatives were terrified by Clinton’s “power grab.” In retrospect, they should have been just as frightened by Bush’s “power grab” as well!
Jerome Corsi, a Ph.D. Journalist
Harvard Ph.D., Jerome R. Corsi, wrote about this development in World Net Daily posted on February 01, 2009. Although considered extremist by some, he appears to thoroughly research what he writes.
Events that could require Camps
Now, before we “freak out” by such legislation, perhaps we should think about events that could require “detention camps” or emergency centers in the U.S.
Infectious Pandemics
One event might be an uncontrollable pandemic sweeping through the country. Where would we put thousands who are contagious with a highly infectious disease (like the bird flu with symptoms similar to Ebola)?
Think seriously about it. Certainly, most hospitals are not designed to handle more than just a few cases of contagious Hepatitis or other things like it. It would be an act of mercy to provide medical care and provisions for thousands of severely sick, helpless individuals.
Dirty Nukes
Another possible scenario is a terrorist nuclear event. What if four or five cities were hit simultaneously by “dirty nukes?” While dirty nukes don’t necessarily kill thousands they can contaminate large areas making them uninhabitable for hundreds of years, I’m told.
Think about this, too. Where would citizens find shelter? Detention centers might serve as temporary living quarters providing food, shelter and medical attention.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are another possibility. Look at what happened in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. That was a study in governmental inefficiency!
Obviously, detention centers could aid victims and provide needed medical services, clothing, food and temporary residence in a more efficient manner than occurred in Louisiana after Katrina.
Economic Dislocations
Economic dislocations and social unrest are another reason for a possible need for temporary housing facilities. With mass unemployment and citizens losing their homes, we might very well need temporary facilities for entire families.
Consider that most people would rather keep their families intact, safe and together in a “camp” than to lose their children to foster care, gun fights or riots.
Wouldn’t you?
Comfort from God
Until we have good reason to think differently, I would rather think the best about our government. Isaiah has pertinent, comforting words for God’s children:
“The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,
‘Don’t call everything a
conspiracy, like they do,
and don’t live in dread of
what frightens them.
Make the LORD of Heaven’s
Armies holy in your life.
He is the one you should fear.
He is the one who should make
You tremble.
He will keep you safe.'”
(Isaiah 8:11-13, NLT)
Handling Life’s Dislocations
Christians should be in a much better position than others to weather severe dislocations in life. If we are good Bible students then we know that life does not always move in a linear fashion. We are told to leave behind thinking that “things are always this way.”
Peter warns us of this when he says the unbelievers sarcastically, ignorantly propose, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). Then Peter warns of the day that God’s judgment will burn-up and destroy our earth and heavens!
A Study in Non-Linear Events
We have studied non-linear events over and over in the Bible. One of the first examples concerns the universal flood which destroyed all life except for Noah’s family and representatives of the animal kingdom.
Another example of a non-linear event is the removal of the children of Israel from the land of Egypt during Moses’ time and the plagues which afflicted Egyptians. Other examples include stories of Babylonian captivity during Daniel’s time.
Catastrophic Events one after another…
Modern Bible students should familiarize themselves with the catastrophic events described in the book of Revelation chapters six through eighteen. Whether we are Reformed believers or die-hard dispensationalists there is a possibility that we will continue to see the “beginnings of sorrows” mentioned in these chapters.
Wars, economic problems, severe famines, pandemics, global warming and horrid heat spells, persecutions, earthquakes, asteroids, sea life dying, unsafe drinking waters, and something akin to a nuclear winter are described on these pages. Study them and share with your unbelieving family and friends. It could help them understand better the dark days ahead.
Finally, remember this:
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
We are God’s children and nothing happens apart from Him.
_________________
Source Cited:
Corsi, Jerome R. 2009. Bill creates detention camps in U.S. for ’emergencies.’ World Net Daily. 1 February. Available from: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageID=87757. (accessed 2/24/2009).