Martin Niemoller

(one of those guys is supposed to be Martin Niemoller although I'm not sure which)
The thing I have to recognize about Niemoller...and really all of the theologians and pastors involved in the Confessional Chruch, is that he was a product of German Nationalism. The idea behind the German Evangelical Church's collaboration, really did not have much to do with speaking out against Germany, only speaking out against the absurdities of the German Christians. So I find it disappointing that he doesn't so much speak out against anti-semitism. But he does in a sense speak out against the Nazi government. When meeting with Hitler and a few others, attempting to have the Reich Bishop removed from Power, Hitler accused them all of being disloyal and Niemoller said to him, "Neither you nor any power on earth can remove the responsibility placed on us by God to care for our people." OOOOHhh it gives me chills. Especially having hindesight, knowing the effects of Hitler's regime on the whole of history, it's amazing Niemoller said what he said. And I'm thankful for it. Thankful to know someone spoke against Hitler. Niemoller certainly served his time spending 8 years in a concentration camp but it's a great story. I also love Conway's quote on page 546 about how Niemoller's view on war and nationalism changed. Where before he venerated fighting for one's country, he became anti-violence after his time in the concentration camps, and Conway says this, "rather now affirmed that dying for one's country must be changed to living for all mankind."

I think what's been most haunting about learning this Germany history is learning about the level of German's nationalism. How it was all about Germany, and Germany's place in history, instead of concerning itself with humanity. It's so egocentric and I see some of that in Americans. Perspective is a bitch.