Author’s Note: I originally wrote this piece in late 2018, upon hearing a Pastor claim from the pulpit, that it was “wrong” for Christians to discuss abortion, because it was a “political” issue. Five and a half years later, with all that has happened since, it becomes ever more clear that this message needs to go out across America, again and again. We will either learn from the abhorrent mistakes of the past, or we will repeat them. But having that past experience, we are now without excuse!–Chris Adamo
Even a cursory search of modern European Mosques reveals a stunning plethora of enormous and profusely ornate buildings, ominously spreading like weeds throughout the continent. Meanwhile, the great cathedrals that had once defined Christendom in general, and Europe in particular, now stand nearly empty and are falling into ruin. It was barely eight decades ago that they were vibrant and filled to capacity. So what could explain this total collapse of everything Christian in Europe, where the presence of the faith of Christ had dominated in one form or another over the previous nineteen centuries?
The words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, pictured here, give the most accurate and painful explanation. He warns that when Christians cease standing against evil, they ultimately stand with evil. In his lifetime, he saw a distressing willingness among seemingly devout Christians to not only refuse to speak out against the nightmarish horrors of the Nazis, but in many cases to openly embrace them.
In contrast, he appeared increasingly “extreme”, as a consequence of his own refusal to endorse the evils of the Reich, whether by actively condoning them or by tacitly supporting them through the silence that was demanded of him. Like pallbearers carrying a coffin, if each party does not bear his own portion of the weight, that which must be born by the others increases. In the end, a lone adherent risks being overwhelmed by the load, as others look on in disdain and denigrate him for his awkwardness and inability to accomplish the task at hand. So It was that Dietrich Bonhoeffer died alone in April of 1945, hanged by the Reich for his “crimes.”
German Christians of the 1930s, as well as those throughout much of Europe, rather than standing resolutely against the obvious evils in their midst, chose instead to concoct creative ways of ducking the firestorm. In the process, they proved that their ultimate faith was not in the God of righteousness and justice, but in themselves and their supposed ability to cry “peace” where there was no peace.
One of the most poignant episodes of this era comes from a man who, as a child, attended a Bible believing Christian Church, which was located near train tracks where Jews were being transported to the concentration camps. The Church members were distressed by the anguished cries for help from those Jews on the trains. The response of the Church was to sing their hymns louder as the trains passed by, in order to drown out the screams of terror and agony coming from the trains. Perhaps in the minds of some of those Christians, this display may have even appeared to be a greater “praise” to God. But to all who understood what was it actually represented, it was the most flagrant denial of Christ, and total perversion of anything “Christian.”
It would be worthwhile to hear the torment in the voice of the man recounting this episode in his young life, as he ponders to this day just how abominably he and his fellow parishioners misrepresented the love of Christ. What those doomed passengers on those trains saw was not a Christ of unshakable strength and courage, but one of fear and hiding. No less detestable was the message sent to the secular world throughout Europe during this time. They saw no refuge for the helpless nor any promise of restoration for those who might have fallen into the evils of the age, but total indifference and a pretense that it didn’t even exist.
If we believe we can dodge the difficult issues, in order to reflect only the “love” of Christ, we redefine our “faith” in our own image. But as we retreat from the modern secular worldview, we can be assured that it will only continue to advance and further encroach upon us. And despite our efforts to repackage Christianity in a seemingly “more palatable form,” we have not succeeded in fooling the world around us. Only ourselves. Ultimately, what we deem to be “non-judgmental love” is actually indifference, and the world will respond to us with its own indifference. That is why, in modern Europe, the looming nightmare of Islam and sharia is widely perceived as representing something more enduring than all of those crumbling Gothic church edifices.
Bio
Christopher G. Adamo is a lifelong conservative from the American Heartland. He has been involved in grassroots and state-level politics for many years, seeking to restore and uphold the Judeo-Christian principles on which our Nation was founded. He is author of the book, “Rules for Defeating Radicals,” which is the “Go To” guide for effectively confronting and overcoming the dirty tricks of the political left. It is available at Amazon.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.