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"Hitler did not really believe in God in the same way Christians do."
It's a cold, small reassurance in my mind. Hitler practiced some pagan beliefs, etc...and it is clear to me that the virulant hatred of National Socialism did not simply spring up as the natural and inevitable consequence of Christian teachings. But, it is not enough simply be not 100% responsible. Victoria Barnett wrote a very good article called "Beyond Complicty" for a book entitled "Must Christianity Be Violent?" For something sponsered by Wheaton College...it was quite an interesting read. Anyhow. Barnett's point is that Christanity moved people to both resistance and participation in atrocity...so we have to recognize that there are multiple Christianities. It matters which one we believe in, which one we teach. Some lead to peace and honor of the dignity of the human life...others lead to hatred, intolerance and moral degredation.
Scripture is a record of the collective spiritual journey of a people. To take it all in unthinkingly is to try to adopt all of the multiple paths presented. It's not possible or advisable. Some are worth taking...some are not.
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