What was really interesting in this section of the book were the implications of religion and how they played a major role in influencing Chambers’ decisions during the Hiss Trials. Because of Chambers’ devotion to Christianity after breaking from the Communist Party, he views this unveiling of the truth to, in a sense, be his service to God and the people. “At the heart of the crisis of our times lies the cold belief of millions, avowed or unavowed, that the death of religious faith is seen in nothing so much as is the fact that it has lost its power to move anyone to die for it. I sensed that the deepest meaning of the Case, and the meaning of my life for myself and all other men, was the degree to which I could be so moved to act.” (p. 617). The religious implications here are enormous. Chambers has found purpose and a clear set goal to fight against Communism. And it is this persistence that reassures the definition of Communism in the Soviet Union and that it is a form of totalitarianism. Throughout the section I read, Chambers frequently describes Communism as “evil” and is something that he has seen through as is now whole heartedly against. Another interesting quote Chambers brings up is, “The God who made iron grow– He wanted no slaves.” (p. 625) He relates this to his statement reaffirming that Alger Hiss is a Communist and may still be one. I’m still trying to see what the meaning behind it is but I’m leaning towards how it contrasts Hiss’s motives to being a Communist versus Chambers’ motives.
And what is even more interesting is what kind of problem Communism represents to Chambers in an interview he was a part of. “The problem of Communism is not an economic problem. The problem of Communism is the problem of atheism.” (p. 625) Chambers has taken it a step further in what I’m interpreting as Communism being something that goes against the ideals of the church. But at the same time, Chambers knows the risks he is taking fighting against the evils of Communism. He risks his livelihood, his safety, the safety of his family. But at the end of the day, Chambers’ devotion to stopping said evil is paired with his devotion to God. Chambers is a man who wants the truth to be known. He also makes that clear in this section. All he wants to reveal is the truth, yet the world likes to twist the narrative in matters like this. What was supposed to be a fight against Communism turned into a standoff between two men, both trying to bring each other down. Chambers didn’t want it to be this situation but Hiss forced his hand. Now he catches attempts from both sides of the situation; good and bad attention. But he is devout to the cause as he is to his religion because in his eyes, Communism is an evil in this world.
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