Why Does Genocide Happen? (Father Simon Says)

Fr. Simon did not hold back on this one. In this episode of Father Simon Says, he reflects on why genocide keeps happening throughout history.   Genocide: A Feature (Not a Bug) of Fallen Humanity?   Fr. Simon starts off with a letter from a listener, Peter, about the Holocaust. Right away, he makes it clear: denying the Holocaust is nonsense. He knows people who were there. Then he expands the conversation: was the Holocaust unique? Maybe in its scale, but genocide? That’s been around forever.   History’s Track Record of Mass Murder   Julius Caesar wiped out entire civilizations in Gaul. Millions dead.   Rwanda (1994): one of the most horrifying modern genocides, and yes, it happened in a "Western-influenced" country.   Native Americans: Fr. Simon separates myth from reality. Most Indigenous deaths came from disease, but the U.S. government did actively wipe out Native populations: (Trail of Tears, smallpox blankets).   The Root of the Problem? Unredeemed Human Nature   Fr. Simon isn’t just giving a history lesson; he’s making a huge point: 💡 Genocide is what fallen humans do. It’s not an anomaly; it’s the natural result of a world without Christ.   And then, he says what you're probably already thinking...   The Modern Genocide We Ignore: Abortion   Some people say abortion isn’t genocide because it’s not targeting a group. Fr. Simon? Oh, he’s not buying that. He points out that unborn babies with Down syndrome are systematically aborted. If that’s not a targeted extermination, what is? He recalls a young woman weeping when she realized what was happening: because really, what did they ever do to deserve that?   The Takeaway   If history proves anything, it’s that humanity is not okay on its own. Every time we think “never again,” it happens again. If we’re honest, we see the same evil playing out today, just in different forms.   So, what’s the solution? The Gospel. A world without Christ is a world where genocide isn’t just possible... it’s inevitable.   🔥 Final Thought: If nothing else convinces us to turn to Jesus, the fact that we are capable of such horrors should.     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.