Recently, students at Arizona State University’s Turning Point USA discovered a pamphlet promoting Antifa on campus. Its childlike design led some to suspect it was just a class project, possibly intended by a sympathetic professor to make Antifa appear less menacing. However, the inclusion of a real Instagram handle hinted at a more serious, intentional effort rather than a mere student prank.
This brings up a central question: what is Antifa, and why do some extremist professors still support it?
Understanding Antifa
At first sight, “Antifa,” short for “anti-fascism,” might seem innocent or even admirable. After all, who wouldn’t want to stand against fascism? The more pressing question, however, is: what actions does Antifa take in this fight? And what do they mean when they refer to “fascism”?
Both fascism and communism derive from the same radical left ideology.
Historically, the term “fascism” was coined by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who described it as a belief in absolute state control—where nothing exists outside of state authority and everything must align with it. Far from representing a right-wing ideology, fascism sprouted from revolutionary leftist roots.
Common Roots of Totalitarianism
In many ways, fascists and communists share more similarities than they would openly admit. Both advocate for complete societal control under the guise of resolving human issues. The primary difference lies in their scale of focus: fascists glorify the state while communists promote a more global vision.
A good way to identify communists is by observing who most vehemently denounces fascism. Both ideologies are distinct branches from a common radical left lineage, tracing back to the French Revolution and Marxism, and they stand in contrast to the principles born of American revolutionary ideals.
Philosophical Foundations
The philosophical underpinnings of these ideas can be traced back to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who posited that humans are basically good but find themselves constrained by societal chains. According to him, private property birthed the concept of evil, enabling owners to define crimes and oppress others. His proposed solution was something called the “general will,” which encapsulates the collective desire of the populace as expressed via the state. That notion has allowed various tyrants throughout history to claim knowledge of this ‘will.’
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel expanded on Rousseau, proposing that history evolves through conflicts, a notion he termed “dialectic.” Karl Marx further altered this theory by stripping away its spiritual component, creating a “materialist dialectic.” For Marx, historical struggles revolve around material resources and capital, while concepts like religion, morality, and family merely serve as veils for economic dominance.
This line of thinking gave rise to Marx’s famous rallying cry: “Workers of the world, unite!” It also set the groundwork for the Russian and German revolutions, during which German fascists suppressed a communist uprising. In this context, Antifa was born out of anti-fascist activities.
Antifa’s Ideology Today
While contemporary Antifa does not officially trace its roots to the German movement of the 1930s, its core beliefs remain unchanged. The group continues to define itself more through the resistance it offers than by outlining any tangible principles.
Antifa professes to combat “oppression,” but their focus is selective. They passionately denounce the long history of slavery while conveniently overlooking ongoing slave markets in certain parts of Africa and the Middle East. Their actual adversaries are not just tyranny, but the West, capitalism, and Christianity.
This is why Antifa finds common ground with any movement that opposes Western civilization, even when those opposing movements are far more oppressive than the systems they claim to resist. Adherents justify these alliances by claiming these other groups had no choice but to commit atrocities due to Western influence. To Antifa members, “oppression” equates to “white people,” “heteronormativity,” and Christianity. Standards such as personal accountability, diligent work, and rule of law—the pillars of true freedom—are instead perceived as oppressive systems.
Antifa’s Methods
Antifa favors a strategy of permanent revolution, rejecting reform entirely. Their approach emphasizes “direct action” over dialogue, employing tactics such as doxxing, counter-protests, vandalism, and intimidation, all aimed at silencing dissent through fear rather than rational discourse. They argue that logic itself can be an “oppressive tool.” The result is an ideology that is often disjointed, emotionally driven, and grounded more in will than in rational thought.
Fascists and communists may appear to oppose each other, yet they share a profound mutual contempt: a hostility towards God.
I once spoke with a Hispanic Christian student studying Latin American studies who shared that a professor bluntly stated, “Che su cristo,” drawing a parallel between revolutionary figures like Che Guevara and Christ. For that professor, violence in the name of revolution represented a form of salvation. For many radicals, Guevara symbolizes true redemption, which comes not through grace but through destruction.
They’re not interested in debating ideas; they seek to obliterate their adversaries. This hostility is directed at figures like Charlie Kirk, who embodies the logical reasoning, coherent argumentation, and defense of foundational American principles—limited government, ordered liberty, and faith—that they so vehemently oppose.
Antifa’s Ultimate Opposition
The American Revolution highlighted that no single entity holds supreme authority. Organizations such as families, churches, and businesses have roles defined by divine purpose. The government’s main responsibility should be to punish wrongdoing and protect the innocent, a vision encapsulated in the Constitution’s Preamble.
The founders of America aimed to establish a republic based on laws—where the law itself reigns supreme. They believed that divine law, expressed through both nature and Scripture, formed the moral foundation necessary for genuine freedom.
In essence, Antifa’s ultimate antagonists are not just human institutions; they oppose God himself. Regardless of followers’ individual beliefs—be it atheistic or otherwise—Antifa members perceive God as an oppressor because He lays down the law. Their rebellion echoes Lucifer’s age-old directive: “Do as you please.” Moreover, Saul Alinsky once extolled Lucifer as a great rebel in “Rules for Radicals.” The group’s alignment with the sexual revolution and LGBTQ+ rights stems from a shared desire to overturn divine order in favor of individual will.
Fascists and communists may fight amongst themselves, but they share a more profound animosity: a disdain for God. Both reject the notion that rights are divinely bestowed and that moral law dictates justice.
America stands in opposition to these ideologies. Our republic is built on the conviction that rights are endowed by God and that the role of government is to safeguard, not supplant, the moral order established by divine law. No nation can entirely perfect humanity. True salvation from sin and death is found only through Christ.
Hence, it becomes evident that Christianity, rather than Marxism or fascism, represents the genuine adversary to tyranny.
As we defend Christian truths in public discourse, it’s crucial to approach this with an understanding that the animosity from our opponents often runs deeper than politics. It’s a spiritual struggle. When they eventually strip away the masks of “tolerance” and “kindness,” it reveals who they’ve always been.
We should listen to their words; they often disclose their true identity and the very things they stand against.
