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Charles E. Moore's avatar

It is a popular belief that Bonhoeffer said that he would rely on God's mercy and forgiveness if he personally engaged in the act of eliminating Hitler. His theology points in this direction. But I do not know if he ever actually said this. That said, Bonhoeffer believed that Hitler was an indictment against the unfaithfulness of the church in Germany.

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Charles E. Moore's avatar

I appreciate these comments and thoughts regarding Bonhoeffer. My take on Bonhoeffer is that he never actively participated in the various unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Hitler. For a fuller take on this issue see my article, "Was Bonhoeffer Willing to Kill?" https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/nonviolence/was-bonhoeffer-willing-to-kill.

Regardless of one's take on the actions Bonhoeffer took, we cannot and must not stand in judgment on those who were forced to make choices in situations that included, at best, only lesser evils.

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