From Annabelle: Creation, photo courtesy Warner Bros. and Grace Hill Media
If evil’s contained, don’t let it loose.
The troubles in Annabelle: Creation begin in earnest when someone found that cursed doll in a closet papered with Scripture. As soon as that door opens, all Annabelle’s badness finds a way out.
That metaphor feels particularly relevant to me in the wake of Charlottesville. When people try to excuse or mitigate blatant racism like this, they’re opening the closet door. They’re giving its evil a stronger voice and significantly more power.
Make no mistake: Racism has been a stain on this country since its founding and before. You don’t need to dig too deeply into history to uncover how shockingly stubborn it’s been. But by the same token, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen demonstrations of racism so obviously and unapologetically on display. And a few powerful voices seem bent on normalizing the morally, intellectually and spiritually bankrupt scourge of white supremacy: That’s a tragedy, and one that may have some terrifying consequences.
Listen, I love free speech. As a former journalist, I value and appreciate it more than most. But as a Christian, I also believe that you don’t dialogue with the devil. And are certain worldviews seem pretty close to his heart.